Announcement delayed. Emanuel and Obama
Photo: AP
Obama to name envoy to combat anti-Semitism
Special department for fighting anti-Semitism first established under Bush administration, but head of office resigned when Obama took office. Sources in Washington say announcement of new envoy expected shortly: Experienced lawyer and daughter of Holocaust survivor Reform rabbi
WASHINGTON – The US administration is slated to name a new special envoy for combating global anti-Semitism. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel was expected to announce the appointment at the Jewish Federations of North America's annual General Assembly this week, but assessments are that the announcement will come later in the week.
The top candidate for the position is Attorney Hannah Rosenthal, former head of the Jewish Council on Public Affairs and former executive director of the Chicago Foundation for Women. Washington sources noted that the background check necessary for authorizing her to work with in the government is not yet completed, thus the delay in announcing her new role.
The Office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism (SEAS) was established in 2004 under George W. Bush's administration as part of the State Department. The SEAS drafts an annual report on global anti-Semitism, including a section on human rights and freedom of worship throughout the world.
A first hint at the appointment of a new special envoy came as Jewish leaders visited the White House last week, during which President Obama spoke with the leaders.
Dr. Gregg Rickman served as the first special envoy for monitoring and combating anti-Semitism, but left the post in January when President Obama took office. A number of candidates have been considered in recent weeks. A top candidate seems to be Rosenthal, 57.
The Jewish lawyer, whose father is a Holocaust survivor and Reform rabbi, served for five years as the head of the Jewish Council on Public Affairs, the national public affairs arm of the organized Jewish community, making her the senior-most woman in the American Jewish community. She finished her post there in 2005 and since has run the Chicago Foundation for Women.
