As in previous years, the White House on Monday invited rabbis and Jewish leaders to receive the President’s greetings and well wishes before the High Holy Days, in a conference call to take place on Friday. Over 150 received their invitations due to the efforts of the Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), a two-year-old organization representing over 1000 traditional rabbis in matters of public policy.

Rabbi Pesach Lerner, President of the CJV, said that “Especially this year, when the President has done so much for Israel and showed so much concern for the Jewish community, including after Pittsburgh and Poway, it is important to accept and honor his invitation. We also want to hear what he will say about the future.”

“Just yesterday,” added Rabbi Yaakov Menken, Managing Director of the CJV, “I was invited to represent the CJV at the United Nations as the President announced new initiatives to fight for religious freedom around the globe. The President, and indeed the Vice-President and UN Secretary-General as well, each listed Jews first among the groups whose liberty is threatened by repression. The President continues to fight for our brethren around the world, and for this he deserves our thanks.”