Second Gentleman Pool Reports of December 15, 2023

SGOTUS Pool Report

Hi all,

I am your pooler for the Second Gentleman this afternoon.

WH background: The Second Gentleman will participate in a fireside chat at the Union for Reform Judaism's 150th Anniversary Celebration Opening Plenary. The discussion will focus on the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to counter antisemitism and highlight the contributions of Jewish Americans.

Notes:

• This is URJ's first in-person convention since 2019, held at the Marriott Marquis
• First speakers were URJ President Rick Jacobs and Religious Action Center Director Jonah Dov Pesner
• Speakers praised the Biden-Harris administration's support of Israel
• SG walked onstage at 3:31 p.m.
• Fireside chat led by URJ Board Chair Jennifer Brodkey Kaufman
• SG described his childhood being a Reform Jew in New Jersey, said the Jewish concept of justice inspired him to become a lawyer
• SG said VP supports him: "In terms of religion, she's the biggest supporter of me speaking up and for Jews."
• SG mentioned he is the first Jewish person to be a WH principal and that he wants to use his platform: "I knew coming in that as a Jewish person in this role, with this microphone, I was definitely going to use it to speak out against not just antisemitism but against hate."
• SG said he has watched antisemitism grow on college campuses from a general awareness to active fear: "You cannot have a situation where Jewish American students are being blamed for something which they have no control over."
• SG said the conversation around religion and Israel has become "too binary" and also wants to combat Islamophobia: "To eradicate antisemitism we need to eradicate other types of hate that are out there."
• SG said being SG still feels surreal
• SG: "It is tough right now for us. The words keep coming up, 'I feel so alone and hated.'… This thing we're all experiencing as American Jews is something that we cannot let take our love of being Jewish away from us. Do not hide right now."
• SG exited stage at 4:01 to standing ovation

That's all from me!