A Chanukah Bush

President Bush meets with leaders of the Jewish community in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on Dec. 9. In the center, in the black hat, is Rabbi Zalman Levertov of Chabad of Arizona.

Photo courtesy of the White House

President Bush spent more than an hour meeting with a diverse group of rabbis Dec. 9, part of his annual Chanukah celebration. Bush said little new in the meeting about his objectives for the next four years, but articulated his agenda in a concise manner that could appeal to the Jewish community, participants said.

In particular, Bush stressed the need for the Palestinians to build democratic institutions before achieving an independent state, adding the United States would support Israel when it takes military action to defend its citizens.

The president is "very pro-Israel and goes out of his way personally to make sure that Israel is strong," said Rabbi Zalman Levertov, founder of Chabad of Arizona, who was among the rabbis present.

Participants at the meeting said Bush also reiterated his commitment to supporting faith-based initiatives, saying government should not discriminate against faith.

The president does not mind standing up and taking "positions such as the faith-based initiative that some people oppose," said Levertov in a post-meeting interview with the Jewish News.

Several prominent Jewish organizations oppose faith-based initiatives, concerned that federal funding for religiously based social service programs violates the separation of church and state and will promote proselytizing. Orthodox groups back the program.

At one point, Bush polled the room to gauge how the rabbis viewed anti-Semitism in America, and seemed taken aback that some see it as a problem. Several rated it a three or four on a scale of one to 10. Levertov said Bush told the gathering that he had discussed the rise of anti-Semitism in France with French President Jacques Chirac.

The rabbi also declared that it is "very nice to have a friend in the White House."

Before the meeting with the religious leaders, the White House threw its annual Chanukah party. The event included an exuberant Jewish a capella group, Kol Zimra, which spurred attendees to start dancing the hora on the floor of the State Room.

Contributing Editor Hank Neyer contributed to this article.

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A Chanukah Bush

MATTHEW E. BERGER Jewish Telegraphic Agency

MATTHEW E. BERGER
Jewish Telegraphic Agency