Daily Kickoff
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while holding an autographed football, tells Patriots Owner Robert Kraft: “You know Iran is at the one-yard line away from the goal-line. If they get nukes, the pre-eminent terrorist regime of our day will be armed with nuclear weapons. That’s dangerous for the United States, for Israel and for the entire world. Our effort today is to make sure that we block and push them back. That’s the ultimate contest and challenge. I hope it was advanced somewhat by this visit.” [YouTube]
“I have ‘no differences’ with Netanyahu over Iran, says Israel’s opposition leader” by David Blair:
“There is no difference between me and Netanyahu in reading the threat of Iran. There is no daylight between us on this issue at all,” said Mr Herzog. “I do not oppose the diplomatic process. However, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. We want to know ‘what is the deal?’ What’s the best deal possible that can be reached and would it change the region in a better direction? And here we are worried.” [Telegraph]“Historic Iran talks in final act” by Michael Wilner: “The United States is willing to extend its nuclear talks with Iran by a few days beyond a critical June 30 deadline, but by no more, a senior administration official told The Jerusalem Post on Monday. The talks are likely to end— deal or no deal— by July 9, the administration official said, when Congress returns from its Independence Day recess.” [JPost]
Lobbying Moves: “Secure America Now is launching today a multistate heavy digital component on the Iran Deal. There’s a very compelling TV ad along with it as well of a woman whose father was sadly killed. 3 senators being targeted initially: Blumenthal, King and Schumer”… “United Against Nuclear Iran is launching a multi-million dollar campaign this week with full-page ad buys in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post”… “J Street is launching IranDealFacts.com– a new website that backs a six-figure digital advertising campaign in support President Obama’s efforts to secure a nuclear deal with Iran.” H/T [Playbook]
“See No Evil At State: One obvious risk of a nuclear deal with Iran is that the mullahs will pocket Western concessions even as they work on their atomic capabilities in secret. But here’s a less obvious risk: The U.S. might find evidence that Iran is cheating but fail to act out of bureaucratic neglect—or a political desire to look the other way.” [WSJ]
Josh Rogin & Eli Lake: “Two senior administration officials confirmed to us that U.S. soldiers and Shiite militia groups are both using the Taqqadum military base in Anbar, the same Iraqi base where President Obama is sending an additional 450 U.S. military personnel to help train the local forces fighting against the Islamic State. Some of the Iran-backed Shiite militias at the base have killed American soldiers in the past. Some inside the Obama administration fear that sharing the base puts U.S. soldiers at risk.” [BloombergView]
Sen. Tom Cotton: “When I was a soldier fighting in Iraq, Iran supplied the most advanced, most lethal roadside bombs used against coalition forces. Many American soldiers lost their lives to Iran’s proxies and Iranian-supplied bombs. Further, Iran is the leading state sponsor of terrorism and has been attacking the United States for decades. It’s deeply troubling that the President now finds it acceptable to share a military base with this enemy, even while we are attempting to negotiate a deal to keep Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.” [Statement]
“Why Obama is wrong about Iran being ‘rational’ on nukes” by Michael Oren: “Here’s the problem with Obama’s point of view: If indeed they are rational, Iranian leaders have had every reason to conclude that the president desperately wants a nuclear deal, and that their long-term cooperation is not really necessary… Obama would never say that anti-black racists are rational. And he would certainly not trust them with the means — however monitored — to reach their racist goals. That was the message Israeli officials and I conveyed in our discreet talks with the administration. The response was not, to our mind, reasonable.” [LATimes]
“Oren Agonistes” by David Rothkopf: “Israel’s former ambassador to Washington has ignited a firestorm of controversy over his criticism of Barack Obama. Has he gone too far…or have his critics?” [ForeignPolicy]
Top Tweet: @AndyBachman — “Decided to re-read @POTUS’s “Dreams from My Father” and just ordered @DrMichaelOren’s “Ally.” I’ll also see my trained shrink. BRB.” [Twitter]
“Oren’s Obama Bashing” by Ben Caspit: “So what got into Oren? There are three possible answers to this difficult question. The first is that Oren simply wanted to sell books. Is it possible that Oren realized, even if only subconsciously, that he would be unable to fulfill his commitment to his publisher and decided to publish more outspoken articles than originally planned to promote his book? The second version is that Oren is writing what he really thinks. The third version is that Oren is simply carving out a path for himself into the ruling Likud.” [AlMonitor]
“Just Another Jersey Guy” — Matti Friedman reviews Michael Oren’s book: “In his memoir “Ally: My Journey Across the American-Israeli Divide,” Michael B. Oren remembers traveling to Washington, D.C., with a Zionist youth group in 1970 and shaking hands with the Israeli ambassador, Yitzhak Rabin. “Silently, I vowed, ‘That is what I’ll be someday—Israel’s ambassador to America,’ ” writes Mr. Oren. At the time, he was a New Jersey teenager who had never even visited Israel.” [WSJ]
“Israeli, Turkish officials hold secret meeting in Rome” by Itamar Eichner: “The Foreign Ministry’s recently-appointed director-general, Dore Gold, embarked on a secret trip to Rome, for a meeting that was scheduled ahead of time with Turkish counterpart Feridun Hadi Sinirlioğlu. Gold is said to have been asked to gauge whether the crisis between the two nations could be brought to an end.”[YNet] • “U.S.’s Ash Carter visits Berlin Jewish memorial” [Reuters]
TALK OF OUR NATION: “American Jews Reject Israeli Rabbinate” by Lisa Goldman: “The growing rift between liberal American Jews and the Israeli government was exacerbated this week when the newly-appointed Minister of Religious Affairs, David Azoulay, referred to Reform Judaism as “a catastrophe for the people of Israel.”… “It’s not that we feel unwelcome in Israel,” said Rabbi Schonfeld. “We are unwelcome. Our advocacy for Israel is welcome in the political sphere, but we as Jews and as human beings are unwelcome in the state of Israel.” [DailyBeast]
JI Scoop: Sen. Marco Rubio will be in New York City this evening for two major fundraising events, according to a pair of invites viewed by JI. Several Republican Jewish Coalition board members have signed on to serve as event ‘Chairmen.’ The first event, held at the law offices of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher at the MetLife building on Park Avenue, will feature a pre-reception gathering for those who have raised at least $10,000. Later in the evening, Rubio will head around the corner to Eamonn’s Bar and Grill for a ‘young professionals reception.’
“Inside Scott Walker’s $20 million push to lay groundwork for presidential run” by Jenna Johnson, Matea Gold and Philip Rucker: “Walker has gained the support of heavyweight backers who could give him substantially more as the race heats up, including Todd Ricketts (Joe’s son and co-owner of the Chicago Cubs), real estate developer Leonard Stern and hedge fund billionaire John Paulson, who wrote the super PAC a $100,000 check. The reaction to Walker’s likely candidacy has been cooler in another key city, New York, where he has struggled to make inroads among the powerful and monied financial community — in part because of his strident opposition to same-sex marriage and his positions on other social issues.” [WashPost]
Spotted Last Night: At Colbeh Mediterranean Grill in New York City, Rep. Rob Bishop huddling with Jewish supporters including Joshua Landes and Daniel Mael.
Ted and Heidi Cruz held an event, with several Jewish donors, yesterday in Century City, Los Angeles [Twitter]
Family on the Trail: “Ted Cruz’s dad: Jews, Catholics of northeast put Democratic Party above religion” by Haaretz: “The older Cruz – who, according to TPM, is not officially part of his son’s presidential campaign but is frequently seen with him at events and has a reputation for making controversial statements – also evoked the Holocaust. Hitler told the pastors to preach what they like about religion, but to leave governing the state to him, Cruz said. “As a result, six million Jews were massacred,” while the Church turned a blind eye to Adolf Hitler’s actions. “We have a responsibility,” Cruz said, adding later: “Whether you are a pastor or a priest or a rabbi, as a leader you have a greater responsibility than the people in your congregation and we need to assume that responsibility.” [Haaretz; TPM] • Watch the video [YouTube]
“Ivanka Trump headed to New Hampshire: Ivanka Trump – the 33-year-old daughter of billionaire real estate mogul Donald Trump – will travel to the early-voting Granite State this week to open her father’s 2016 presidential campaign office. Her appearance will take place this Wednesday, June 24 at 5:30pm at 340 Granite Street in Manchester, New Hampshire.” [FITS]
WI SEN: “Could Russ Feingold Lead Democrats Back to Senate Win?” by Nathan Guttman: “Though Jews comprise just 0.5% of the state’s population, Wisconsin was held up for years as an example of American Jewry’s political diversity within the liberal spectrum and of America’s own openness to Jewish political leadership. For nearly two decades, both its senators were Jewish… For those following Jewish politics by the numbers, a Feingold win could help offset the drop in Jewish senators of recent years.” [Forward]
“75 Most Influential Jewish Republicans” according to Newsmax: 1. Sheldon Adelson 2. William Kristol 3. Charles Krauthammer 4. Steve Schwarzman 5. Mark Levin 6. David Brooks 7. Henry Kissinger 8. Michael Chertoff 9. Eric Cantor 10. Michael Mukasey 11. Paul Singer 12. Ronald Lauder 13. Michael Savage 14. Matthew Brooks 15. Matt Drudge 16. Bernard Marcus 17. Mel Sembler 18. Wayne Berman 19. Henry Kravis 20. Norm Coleman [Newsmax]
TRANSITIONS: “Netanyahu’s Former Chief of Staff, Ari Harow, Joins New Israeli PR Agency” by Richard Pace: “A new international PR Agency, communications and public affairs consultancy – EDGE Partners has been formed, headquartered in Israel. The three partners that will make up the Israeli PR Agency are Elie Bennett, Jeremy Wimpfheimer & Dena Wimpfheimer. Also announced today was that Ari Harow, Formerly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Chief of Staff is joining the firm as a Senior Strategic Advisor.” [PR; Edge]
“Jeff Ballabon named Senior Fellow at ACU Policy Center: Today, ACU Chairman Matt Schlapp announced the formation of the ACU Foundation’s Policy Center for Statesmanship and Diplomacy. The Senior Fellows include… Jeff Ballabon, B2 Strategic CEO, former Senior Vice President of CBS News, and former US Senate Commerce Committee counsel.” [ACU]
SPOTLIGHT: “Martha Stewart’s New Boss: Yehuda Shmidman: $353 million acquisition is the biggest to date for 34-year-old executive Yehuda Shmidman” by Dana Mattioli: “Under Mr. Shmidman, Sequential has become one of the branding industry’s most prolific consolidators, inking nine deals in his 2½ year tenure at the company’s helm. During deal negotiations, the homemaking maven cooked a kosher Moroccan dinner for Mr. Shmidman as they discussed a potential combination, Ms. Stewart said.”
“Unlike many other repeat deal makers, Mr. Shmidman doesn’t have a finance background. Raised in Teaneck, N.J., to a family of educators and rabbis, Mr. Shmidman said he always knew he wanted to be in business. After college, he sold iPods preloaded with Jewish lectures on the streets of New York City… An observant Jew, Mr. Shmidman unplugs from all email, phone calls, text messages and other forms of electronic communication once a week during the Sabbath, from sunset Friday to nightfall Saturday.” [WSJ]
THE SEVENTY FOUR LAUNCH: “Campbell Brown to Launch Non-Profit Education News Site That Won’t Shy From Advocacy” by Lukas I. Alpert: “Next month, Ms. Brown will be launching a non-profit, education-focused news site called The Seventy Four, which she says refers to the 74 million school-age children in classrooms across the U.S. The site – which will launch July 13 with 13 employees — is well-funded, with an annual budget of $4 million… Ms. Brown’s husband, Dan Senor, sits on the board of StudentsFirstNY, which advocates for charter schools among other issues.” [WSJ; The74]
–MORE DETAILS: List of major funders, to be posted on the site next month, includes Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Walton Family Foundation. Steve Snyder, formerly of TIME and PEOPLE, will serve as Editorial Director. Board members include co-founder Romy Drucker, Campbell Brown, BuzzFeed’s Jonathan Perelman, Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Howard Wolfson, Jonathan Alter, Andy Rotherham, and Joe Marchese.
REAL ESTATE ROUNDUP: “The parking-lot and storage king of New York, Jerry Gottesman, is looking for an heir to his $4B empire” [Crains] • “Get to Know Aby Rosen, the Man Gentrifying 190 Bowery” [Curbed] • “Thor, Premier Equities Pay $12M for Greene Street Retail Condo” [Observer]
Kenny Schachter, son-in-law of Denise Rich and the late Marc Rich, on “Why Art Basel Left Him Mentally and Physically Damaged” [ArtNet]
“Supreme Court Denies Bernie Madoff Trustee Appeal in Clawback Case” by Brent Kendall:“The Supreme Court on Monday said it wouldn’t consider a bid by a court-appointed trustee to claw back money from hundreds of investors who profited from Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi scheme.” [WSJ]
“The Madoff Miniseries Stars Lots of Jews Playing Jews–And That’s Exciting” by Rachel Shukert: “ABC is producing a miniseries called, Madoff, which is based on ABC news correspondent Brian Ross’s book, The Madoff Chronicles… What is so exciting about the casting of such visibly, identifiably Jewish actors—including Dreyfus—is the surprising commitment on the part of the producers to not shy away from the peculiarly Jewish nature of this tragedy, if you can call it that. The story of Madoff is the story of Jews who stole from many, many, other Jews, and to soft-pedal that inescapable fact is to rob them a second time.” [TabletMag]
STARTUP NATION: “Could an Israeli startup have prevented Charleston church massacre?” by Cnaan Liphshiz: “Moshe Greenshpan, the 44-year-old founder and CEO of Face-Six, earlier this year launched Churchix – a system that his Tel Aviv-area firm designed to scan the faces of churchgoers to help religious communities analyze attendance, membership — and threats.” [JTA]
Tweet: @CManduley — “That Gold’s Gym t-shirt he’s wearing? Founded by Joe Gold, who’s Jewish. -@wolfblitzer” [Twitter]
“(Jewish) Slack CEO explodes over editorial about the South Carolina shooting, says ‘f— you’ to Wall Street Journal” by Madeline Stone: “Stewart Butterfield, cofounder of Flickr and CEO of the office-communication software Slack, lashed out against a Wall Street Journal editorial in a tweetstorm Sunday night. Butterfield’s series of tweets also called attention to the problem of structural racism in the US, and how, as a white male, he’s never had to consider that he might “die, or even be in danger, after getting pulled over by a cop.” [TheVerge; BI]
DESSERT: “Manhattan’s Financial District will be getting a new kosher steakhouse this Fall. “Wall Street Grill” has plans to open up downtown as an “Upscale Hangout” and a comfortable place where you can enjoy new creations in kosher cuisine.” [YeahThatsKosher; FB] • “24 Ways Being Jewish Is Really Bad For Your Diet” [BuzzFeed]
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