Prayerful ‘Shmoozes” from Obama & Hillary…

Posted on February 4, 2010 In Blog

The annual “National Prayer Breakfast” took place this morning in Washington, DC. The annual event garners attendance by the President, cabinet members, diplomats, members of congress and religious leaders from around the country. The OU’s Nathan Diament was privileged to attend, but was certainly not the “only yarmulke in the room.”

The program was ably co-chaired by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Jonny Isaakson (R-GA).

This morning, President Obama delivered remarks calling for civility while borrowing from Biblical language to blast the “tower of Babel” that has infected America’s politics.

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) read from this week’s Torah reading and invoked Yitro’s advice to Moses to share the burden of leadership with others.

But the keynote speaker was Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who delivered an inspiring and personal account of the role of faith in her personal life and faith’s challenge to all people to do more and do better in serving those in need.

It is well worth viewing and reflecting upon.