Second Gentleman Pool Reports of February 21, 2024

Good afternoon. I'll be your pooler today for the Second Gentleman's fireside chat with Jewish War Veterans at the Hilton Garden inn in downtown D.C.

The fireside chat will be live streamed and you can watch here https://www.youtube.com/live/mk87rgakdOU?si=P8NjsWXBPXSI3TlR

The Second Gentleman's staff send along the following background information:

Background note for the Second Gentleman's Fireside Chat at Jewish War Veterans National Executive Committee Meeting
From a White House Official: Today, Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff will participate in a fireside chat at the Jewish War Veterans National Executive Committee Conference. The discussion will focus on the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to combat antisemitism and hate. Mr. Emhoff will also highlight the Administration's commitment to honoring Jewish American Heritage and the service of Jewish American Veterans.

Jewish War Veterans National Commander Barry Lischinsky will moderate the fireside chat. Audience members will include leadership and members of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America, National Ladies Auxiliary, and National Museum of American Jewish Military History.

Background on Jewish War Veterans
The Jewish War Veterans (JWV) and other Veterans Service Organizations (VSO) have worked closely with the Biden-Harris Administration to address hatred, bigotry, and antisemitism.

Since its founding in 1896 by a group of Jewish Civil War Veterans, JWV has been the voice of American Jews in the veteran community. In their 128-year history, JWV has advocated for the inclusion of the 'Star of David' on headstones, protested Nazi Germany during the rise of the Third Reich, and supported Jewish service members deployed overseas across multiple eras of combat operations.
JWV founded the National Museum of American Jewish Military History in 1955, a living testimony to Jewish American military service members. The museum is in Washington, DC.

Background on the Biden-Harris Administration's National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism and Veterans
In May 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the first-ever National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism [whitehouse.gov]. The strategy outlines a whole-of-society approach to tackle the scourge of antisemitism in America. There are four pillars of the strategy:
1. increasing awareness and understanding of antisemitism, including its threat to America, and broaden appreciation of Jewish American heritage;
2. improving safety and security for Jewish communities;
3. reversing the normalization of antisemitism and countering antisemitic discrimination;
4. and building cross-community solidarity and collective action against hate.

The National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism assigned four specific actions to the Department of Veterans Affairs:

1.The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will develop educational programs that highlight the diversity of the veteran population, including the contributions of Jewish veterans and Jewish VA employees. VA will share these programs with local veteran groups across the country and encourage all veterans to speak out against antisemitic and other hate-based incidents and attacks. (Completed)
2. VA will incorporate training on countering antisemitism, anti-Muslim bias, anti-Sikh bias, and related forms of bias and discrimination into its Chaplain Training Program, which teaches VA chaplains how to respond to and connect with veterans. (Completed)
3. VA will continue to ensure all VA hospitals accommodate kosher and halal meal requests for inpatients and patient residents, as well as culturally appropriate nutrition education and counseling to meet the religious dietary needs of veterans. (Ongoing)
4. VA will expand its chaplain partnership with Jewish, Muslim, and other chaplain associations and facilitate local multi-faith partnerships among chaplains of diverse faiths. (Completed)

SGOTUS pool report #2 - Fireside chat

The Second Gentleman entered the hotel ballroom at 11:14am and was met with a standing ovation.

There were roughly 100 people in attendance, many wearing caps signaling their veteran status.

Mr. Emhoff took questions from Jewish War Veterans National Commander Barry Lischinsky.

He discussed how he expresses his Jewish faith at the White House as the first Jewish principal saying, "Coming in to office a little over three years ago, I wanted to live the way I had before. Open, proud and Jewish."

He highlighted the Biden administration's work on the national strategy to combat antisemitism and said since Oct. 7 the work has increased.

He described a rise in antisemitism before Biden/Harris took office and recalled how he felt after seeing a billboard in California in 2022 that said "Kanye was right."

"This was my freeway, in my hometown and I was pissed," he said.

Speaking more about the national strategy to counter antisemitism, Mr. Emhoff highlighted the need for better education.
"We don't teach enough about who we are. We don't teach enough about the holocaust."

He also called out "rampant" online hate speech and disinformation.

Asked "What keeps you up at night?"
Mr. Emhoff said, "Saving our democracy."

He spoke about the personal toll Oct. 7 has taken on him coupled with "unfair blame" placed on Jewish people for actions taken by Israel since then.

"I'm still processing how I feel about it," he said.

The chat wrapped at 11:39. The Second Gentleman was mingling with some of the veterans in attendance as your pooler was escorted out of the hotel ballroom. Your pooler saw SGOTUS exit the hotel and enter his vehicle at 11:58.

That's all from me today. Please check the tape for fuller quotes.