Afew weeks ago, I had the privilege and opportunity to accompany the Young Sephardic Leadership Club of Magen David Yeshivah High School to Washington DC. We have visited the capital on several lobbying missions; this time we were there to get a first-hand, behind-the-scenes look at how our country is run!
Our first stop of the day was the White House, where we were met by our friend, Journalist Jake Turx, who gave us a comprehensive, guided tour of the East Wing. He works in the West Wing, as a White House correspondent, so he knows the layout of the building well. The boys were very excited to learn about the fascinating history of the White House, and to see the magnificent ornate rooms.
After the tour, we went right next door to the Treasury Building, where we had a meeting with Mitchell Silk, the Deputy Treasury Secretary, who is a religious Jew! He’s fluent in Chinese and leads the administration’s trade talks with China. He took us around the building, and showed us the old vault where they used to keep much of the US treasury money. It was fascinating, you could feel the history. Having a religious Jew work at such a high position in the prestigious Treasury department made a big impression on all of us.
Our group proceeded to the Senate, via an underground train which few people ever get to ride in. When we arrived, we had a delicious kosher lunch catered by Freund’s Catering from NY. The senators were honoring Mr. Harley Lippman, who is involved in many Jewish causes, including Holocaust restoration, combating anti-Semitism, as well as many pro-Israel causes. The senators spoke about their connection to the Jewish community. Also in attendance, was the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to the US, who spoke about establishing pro-Israel ties and the new shul that opened there.
Senator Robert Menandez of New Jersey spoke out against Iran’s terror activities. We listened to his important words before heading to a meeting in the Eisenhower Building, with Mr. Alan Barell, who is the Deputy National Security Adviser to my friend, NSA Director Mr. John Bolton. Mr. Barell is a religious Jew, as well. He invited us into his office, where he discussed the threat which Iran, as well as North Korea, pose to the United States. He also discussed what it’s like for a religious Jew to work in such a high level position in Washington, and how he balances religion and work. He works until 11 pm every night, except Shabbat, which is the highlight of his week! Mr. Berell is from Brooklyn, but lives in Potomac, Maryland, and sends his kids to the Berman Hebrew Academy.
In the evening, we went to dinner at Char Bar, the only glatt kosher restaurant in Washington, where we ran into Mr. Barell! He was happy to sit with us and join us while we prayed mincha at the restaurant. We discussed more informal issues over dinner, and he was very impressed with the boys. He invited us to visit him again.
The Young Sephardic Leadership Club had a wonderful, action packed, full day of adventure, and wonderful life experience. All the boys said that it was one of the best trips of their lives.
