McDonough: Obama shares social justice values with Jewish community

White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough is up to speak at the GA next, being introduced as one of the closest people to Obama.

McDonough starts his speech with the pro-forma thank yous to federation big wigs.

Though he isn’t Jewish, McDonough says his family comes from immigrants like the Jewish community, and also draws strength from faith.

He says the same values of humanity and social justice that he and the Jewish community share are also shared by Obama, and says the president recognizes the support of Jews in the civil rights struggle.

Noting that he has been called the first Jewish president, he jokes that that makes him the “shamash,” or synagogue sexton, and says Talmudic discussions in West Wing drive him “meshuggah,” driving home his Jewy bona fides.