The Jewish To-Dos at the Democratic Convention
Democratic delegates and party leaders have begun streaming into the Mile High City for a week of parties, fundraisers, concerts, panel discussions and, oh yes, the very much scripted convention itself that will culminate with Barack Obama becoming the Democratic nominee Thursday night.
Here’s a rundown of some of the events that might be of interest to voters concerned about Jewish issues:
Sunday, August 24:
2 p.m. — Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, executive vice president of the Orthodox Union delivers the keynote address at an interfaith gathering featuring Bishop Charles E. Blake, presiding prelate of the Church of God In Christ, Inc. and pastor at the West Angeles Church of God in Christ; Dr. Ingrid Mattson, president of the Islamic Society of North America; social activist Sister Helen Prejean, and musical performances including Grammy-winning gospel artist Richard Smallwood & Vision.
5 p.m. — The National Jewish Democratic Council hosts a private screening of the film “Golda’s Balcony,” which opens nationally in October.
6:30 p.m. — NJDC honors Jewish Democrats in Congress at a reception including actress Valerie Harper.
Monday, Aug 25:
2 p.m. — A panel featuring pollster Mark Mellman; Anna Greenberg, senior V.P. of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner; political analyst Stu Rothenberg, and Richard Baehr, chief political correspondent of American Thinker lead a panel discussion on “The Jewish Vote.”
Tuesday, Aug. 26:
The Faith Caucus looks for “Common Ground on Common Good,” and discusses “How an Obama Administration will Engage People of Faith” during two panel discussions.
Wednesday, Aug. 27:
2 p.m. — NJDC and the Solomon Project sponsor a “Square Table Discussion: Practicing Politics with Jewish Values” featuring U.S. Sensators Ben Cardin of Maryland and Ron Wyden of Oregon; U.S. Reps. Jerry Nadler and Nita Lowey of New York; Dan Shapiro, Obama’s new senior policy adviser and Jewish liaison; Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; and Matt Dorf, Jewish outreach director for the Democratic National Committee.
Thursday, Aug. 28:
Rabbi Jack Moline joins the Rev. Al Sharpton and civil rights leaders to commemorate the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream Speech” during a unity breakfast.
The Faith Caucus hosts panels on how faith communities can work together to address pressing moral issues around the world and “Getting Out the Faith Vote.”
Rabbi David Saperstein of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism delivers the invocation to start the final night of the convention.
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