Nathan Diament, Executive Director of Public Policy for the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America – the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization – issued the following statement in reaction to this morning’s announcement that President Obama has appointed Melissa Rogers as the new director of the White House Office of Faith Based & Neighborhood Partnerships:

“President Obama has made an excellent decision in selecting Melissa Rogers as his new as the new director of the White House Office of Faith Based & Neighborhood Partnerships.

I have been privileged to know and work with Melissa for more than a decade on a range of religious liberty initiatives in Congress and before the Executive Branch.  We served together as well on the President’s inaugural Advisory Council on Faith Based Partnerships.  Over these years and through working together, I have seen Melissa’s keen intellect, deep knowledge and firm commitment to religious liberty.  Moreover, and perhaps most important for her new post, Melissa has a sincere sensitivity to the different beliefs and points of view that people or entire communities may hold on delicate and, frankly, “hot button,” issues.

For all these reasons and more, I applaud the President’s appointment, and say ‘Mazal Tov Melissa'”.