Last update - 00:00 14/06/2007
Broad spectrum of U.S. Jews praise Peres presidency
By Shlomo Shamir, Haaretz Cprrespondent
American Jewish leaders said Wednesday they expect Shimon Peres' election as president of Israel to strengthen ties between Israel and the Diaspora. The leaders cited Peres' long and close acquaintance with the Jewish community in the United States.
Malcolm Hoenlein, the executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, said his group has had close ties with Peres for years and described the newly elected president as someone who believes in developing a close relationship with Diaspora Jewry.
Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, predicted that Peres would return honor and prestige to the institution of the presidency and unite Israel and the Jewish people. He called Peres a friend of the Reform movement who has never hesitated to support it.
But that doesn't mean the Orthodox are opposed. Marc Schneier, an Orthodox rabbi and chairman of the World Jewish Congress' American section, said Peres' global status and prestige would benefit the Israeli presidency.
The new president of the World Jewish Congress, Ronald Lauder, said Israel was blessed to have Peres as president, while Abraham Foxman, Anti-Defamation League national director, said the election was a source of pride for Israel.
Even those identified with the right had only good to say about the new president, considered something of a symbol of the left.
"Peres is the most fitting person to represent the State of Israel", said Sam Domb, a leading American Jewish supporter of the Israeli right.