President Barack Obama agreed to speak next month at the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America to be held in Washington, D.C. — his first speech as president to a Jewish audience.
For the Jewish Federations, which recently changed its name from United Jewish Communities, landing Obama could provide a boost to a North American charitable network coping with sagging fundraising campaigns and other significant challenges.
The G.A. will be held Nov. 8 to 10 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. Obama will speak Nov. 10, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will speak Nov. 9.
Communal insiders said the decision to speak was a good one for Obama, noting that president will be speaking to an audience of Jewish activists who care deeply not only about Israel but also domestic issues. — jta