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Jewish Synagogue in DC Anticipates Arrival of Ivanka, Kushner

Jewish Synagogue in DC Anticipates Arrival of Ivanka, Kushner

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner (MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

By    |   Monday, 19 December 2016 02:12 PM EST

Ivanka Trump and her family could start attending Jewish services at the synagogue Kesher Israel in Georgetown, Washington D.C., Politico reports.

Trump and husband Jared Kushner attend Kehilath Jeshurun on the Upper East Side of New York regularly, and a source close to the family said in Politico's report that they have not yet decided where to attend in D.C.

Other Modern Orthodox synagogues in the area include Potomac, Maryland's Beth Sholom and Silver Spring's Kemp Mill Synagogue.

Kesher is the only Modern Orthodox synagogue that services downtown D.C., according to Politico. And its Washington competitor, Ohev Shalom, is seen as an unlikely destination, since its rabbi called Ivanka's father, President-elect Donald Trump, a bigot earlier in 2016.

Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld protested Trump at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee meeting. "That man is wicked … he inspires racists and bigots. He encourages violence. Do not listen to him," he said.

Trump and Kushner will be the first practicing Modern Orthodox Jews in a presidential family. They observe the Sabbath, attend services on the High Holidays, and their oldest child, age 6, would attend a Jewish day school, sources told Politico.

Kesher members include some who have been critical of Trump. President Barack Obama's former ethics czar Norman Eisen, and writer Leon Wieseltier, who wrote an opinion piece in The Washington Post that urged Americans to "stay angry" about the election of Trump.

Politico's interviews with Kesher members said they would welcome Trump and Kushner to the synagogue, regardless of politics.

"We have a concept in traditional Judaism of muktzeh. Money is muktzeh, something forbidden on the Sabbath. Before Shabbat, you take your money, your cellphone, you put it aside. Politics is muktzeh. I would welcome them exactly the same as I would any other family that wanted to join our community," Eisen said.

"Whether it's Ivanka Trump or Jared Kushner or anyone else coming to D.C. to work or visit, Kesher's community is open to all," said synagogue president Elanit Jakabovics.

Kesher has faced its own controversy, and is now using an interim rabbi after the previous one was found spying on women as they undressed to enter a ritual bath.

 

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US
Ivanka Trump and her family could start attending Jewish services at the synagogue Kesher Israel in Georgetown, Washington D.C., Politico reports.
ivanka trump, jared kushner, jewish, synagogue, washington dc
362
2016-12-19
Monday, 19 December 2016 02:12 PM
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