White House Approves Orthodox Liaison

The White House approved a new liaison to the Jewish community on Thursday. Chanan Weissman will be the first Orthodox Jew to hold this position during a Democratic administration. He will serve through the end of President Barack Obama's presidency in the role of associate director of public engagement. He is the former spokesperson for the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.

Two Orthodox Jews have held this position before during Republican administrations. In an interview with the Jewish Insider , Tevi Troy served this role under President George W. Bush, said that being Orthodox in this White House post it is an "advantage but also a challenge".

“The advantage is that you have instant credibility within the community as knowledgeable and credible representing the community. The challenge is that the bulk of American Jews are not Orthodox and you have to show you can reach out to all,” Troy said.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!