Chanan Weissman Appointed White House Liaison to Jewish Community

President Joe Biden has appointed Chanan Weissman as the White House’s liaison to the American Jewish community, according to the Jewish Insider.

Weissman previously held the same position in the Obama administration from 2016-2017. In an earlier interview, he described his role as “a bridge with lanes operating in both directions…I need to, at once, convey the president’s policies and positions to the Jewish community but also need to fully capture and convey the wide range of perspectives from the Jewish community back to the decision-makers at the White House.”

During the Trump administration, he served in the State Department as section lead for internet freedom and business and human rights. He currently serves as the director for technology and democracy on the National Security Council.

Nathan Diament, the OU’s Director for Public Policy praised Weissman as “a first rate choice for [White House] liaison by [President Biden at this critical time for the American Jewish community.”

Rabbi Abba Cohen, Agudath Israel’s Washington Director, said in a statement, “Agudath Israel commends WH for appointing Chanan Weissman to be liaison to the Jewish community. Chanan understands the community with all its complexities/nuances. He’s earned respect from all quarters and will be an asset to [the White House] and American Jewry during these trying times. Kudos to President Biden for bringing back this important position and for its ongoing outreach and assistance to faith-based communities.”

Weissman previously served in the Department of Defense and worked alongside Ira Forman, the envoy combating anti-Semitism at the State Department.

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smarcus@hamodia.com