"...The struggle is between members of the Muslim American Society, a group seeking to build a mosque on the grounds of a former Staten Island convent, and members of the local community, some of whom have described this as "the community's D-Day" and an important part of "the war against Islam". To be sure, neither side is behaving well, if by behaving well one means actually trying to find a solution which works for as many people as possible..."

"The JCC has enlisted the help of Rabbi Irwin Kula and his organization, Clal (Hebrew for inclusive)... to guide the organization as it refocuses its strategy. The goal: to transmit Jewish values and wisdom to more Jews, affiliated or not...'The animating question for the next piece of American Jewish history will not be: 'How do we make more Jews Jewish?'...'The animating question will be: 'How can I make this wisdom get the job done in helping people develop and nurture their aspirations to be more fully evolved human beings?'..."

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By Elise Kigner from The Jewish Advocate Boston, MA

"My recent visit to the White House was a moving experience, and not simply because it was the White House, though one has to be pretty cynical not to be moved by that alone. ..."

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By Rabbi Brad Hirschfield from the Jewish News of Greater Phoenix Online

"...Obama spoke of a people who, for more than 350 years, have journeyed from almost unspeakable adversity to almost incomprehensible achievement and levels of contribution to America.

"My recent visit to the White House was a moving experience, and not simply because it was the White House, though one has to be pretty cynical not to be moved by that alone...."

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By Rabbi Brad Hirschfield Special to the Jewish Week

On May 27, Rabbi Brad Hirschfield attended President Obama’s first ever White House reception in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month. Welcoming Jewish leaders from all walks of life, the President acknowledged the tremendous contribution Jews have made to our country and the beacon of “tikkun olam” as a shining standard for our nation.

In his speech, the President made reference to the wide array of talents in the room, with a special reference to baseball legend Sandy Koufax:

"Yesterday at the White House was a moving experience...celebrating Jewish American Heritage month with President and Mrs. Obama, and a group of about 100-150 others including Hall-of-Fame'er, Sandy Koufax..."

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From Windows & Doors, Brad Hirschfield’s daily blog on Beliefnet

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama to Host First Ever White House Reception in Honor of Jewish American Heritage Month

On May 27, Clal Presidents Irwin Kula and Brad Hirschfield have been invited to the White House for a reception honoring Jewish American Heritage Month. According to a White House press release, "the reception serves as an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the range and depth of Jewish American heritage and contributions to American culture, with guests representing the many walks of life that have helped weave the fabric of American history."

Recognized for his work as Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Mr. Solow was ranked No. 11 in The Jerusalem Post’s "First annual list of those who are shaping the future." Criteria included "personal access to power, ability to exert influence and individual talent."

"President Obama seems to be sending a clear message that religious identity is relatively unimportant, at least when compared to gender identity, for today's Supreme Court....";

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By Brad Hirschfield from FoxNews.com’s Fox Forum