Photo Caption: Congressman Bill Cassidy, Agudath Israel trustees, Chaskel Bennett, Leon Goldenberg and Shimon Lefkowitz and Rabbi Yosef Rapaport, Agudath Israel Media coordinator discussing Israel- Gaza war and the rise of global anti-semitism.

Congressman Bill Cassidy’s win in the Senate run-off election in Louisiana which saw the defeat of Senator Mary Landriu a strong supporter of the US-Israel relationship has wide-range repercussions; fortunately positive ones for the pro-Israel community. Prominent Jewish activists including Chaskel Bennett and Leon Goldenberg have enjoyed a warm relationship with Senator-elect Cassidy and have had several meaningful opportunities to acquaint him with the unique challenges of the Orthodox Jewish community, its needs and positions on the domestic front as well as international concerns regarding the US- Israel relationship and the rise of global anti-Semitism.

Caption: Chaskel Bennett in discussion with Congressman Bil Cassidy

“By recognizing potential national leaders and entering into a dialogue with them when they are relative unknowns allows us to build relationships which can impact their decision making process in their future–for Bill Cassidy that future is now,” said Chaskel Bennett, who sits on the National Board of Trustees of Agudath Israel of America. “Bill Cassidy coming from a Louisiana with a relatively small Jewish community and having him as an ally and protector of Israel, will have a very positive impact on the US-Israel relationship” Continued Bennett, “I thank activist Yossi Menczer, a long time friend and supporter of Congressman Cassidy for making our introduction years ago,” emphasizing the invaluable power of grass roots activism.

Shimon Lefkowitz, Agudath Israel National director of State Relations Rabbi AD Motzen, Chaskel Bennett, Congressman Bil Cassidy, Leon Goldenberg, Rabbi Yosef Rapaport, Agudath Israel Media coordinator  

Agudath Israel Trustee Leon Goldenberg seconded the point, “Bill Cassidy will develop a real following in the Senate on energy and education issues and other concerns of deep interest to our community”. “During the Israel- Gaza war, we met with Congressman Cassidy as part of Agudath Israel’s Emergency Mission to Washington. He was truly dismayed at the events unfolding in Israel and reiterated his iron clad commitment to the unbreakable U.S.-Israel relationship. He promised us he would do whatever possible to support Israel and the Jewish community particularly in their time of need.”

“Cassidy is a physician, a teacher, a community leader, father, and husband and can now add US senator to that impressive list all of which are attributes important to representing his constituents and the nation as a whole” said Ezra Friedlander, CEO of The Friedlander Group, a frequent visitor to Washington.

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Pictures credit Stefano Giovannini/Agudath Israel

Pictures below are from Agudath Israel Emergency mission to Washington DC summer of 2014.