President Obama to speak at UJC/Federations’ General Assembly

In a surprise move, the White House announced President Obama will make his first formal remarks as president to a Jewish organization next month when he appears at the United Jewish Communities/Jewish Federations of North America’s General Assembly.

The president will speak Monday, Nov. 9 at 11:30 a.m. at what should be the highlight of the Nov. 8-10 conference in Washington, D.C.

The speech comes as many American Jews and Israelis have been encouraging Obama to do more to explain his Middle East peacemaking efforts -- although Obama could also choose to discuss domestic issues such as health care and other social services that UJC advocates for in Washington.

Obama replaces Vice President Joe Biden, who had been announced earlier this month as a speaker at the event in an e-mail by the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington but had never confirmed publicly by UJC officials.

The GA is one of the largest annual

Jewish communal gatherings on the continent.

“We are honored to be hosting President Obama at the GA,” said GA North American Chair Dede Feinberg of Washington, who along with her husband, Kenneth, is serving as the GA’s North America co-chair in partnership with International Co-Chair Leonid Nevzlin of Israel.

“The voice of President Obama will surely expand our thinking and stretch our perspectives,” said Joe Kanfer, chair of the Board of Trustees of The Jewish Federations of North America, formerly known as UJC (United Jewish Communities).

The GA is set for Nov. 8-10 at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

In addition to President Obama, the GA will host members of Congress, top Israeli government officials as well as business and philanthropic leaders from across North America and Israel.

“Remembe r When You Thought Anything Was Possible? It Still Is,” was chosen as the theme for this year’s GA to highlight the ability of The Jewish Federations of North America to make a difference for the Jewish people worldwide.