Obama names new chief of staff with strong ties to Jewish community
Haaretz excerpt
Position to be filled by Denis McDonough,
a security official with a record of strong defense
for U.S. administrations Mideast policies.
McDonough takes over from Jacob Lew,
an Orthodox Jew who in his various capacities
has been the senior staff member taking calls from
Jewish community leaders.
Obama has nominated Lew to become treasury secretary.
Also announced Friday was the departure of Jarrod Bernstein,
the White House's liaison to the Jewish community for the last two years.
In an email, Bernstein, who formerly ran specialty outreach for New York Mayor
Michael Bloomberg, said he was returning to that city.