Biden hosts Jewish leaders, Mark Cuban

SCENE LAST NIGHT: Vice President Joe Biden hosted Jewish leaders at the Naval Observatory for his annual Rosh Hashanah reception. Approximately one hundred guests, as well as senior Administration officials including Secretaries Kerry, Lew and Moniz, gathered inside the residence where they listened to Biden defend the Iran deal. According to a pool report, the Vice President said he respected people who vote against it as a matter of conscience, but “we are going to pass this. I know that disappoints some of you, but it’s a done deal.”

On Israel: “We are absolutely, unequivocally, completely omitted to the security of Israel.” He made mention of upcoming meetings with Israelis that he asked staff if had been announced yet. They seemed to tell him that the announcement hadn’t been made, but went on to refer to conversations he expected to have with Israeli intelligence and security about what they feel like they need.

On the Jewish community: “You’re the most incredible community I’ve ever dealt with … You’re the only outfit that looks out not only for every Jew in the nation and the world, but everyone else.” He choked up and paused for a moment as he started talking about Beau Biden’s death. “The degree of compassion and understanding that so many of you expressed…you guys get it. It’s sort of baked into your DNA. You understand. You understand.”

Biden introduced his in-laws—both the parents of his on Beau’s wife and the parents of his daughter Ashley’s husband (who are Jewish) as all his “mispacha.”… “Everybody always talks about this being a nice Catholic family—but I don’t think so,” he said.

SPOTTED: Mavs’ owner Mark Cuban — who came together with Rep. Ted Deutch, William Daroff, Israeli Amb. Ron Dermer, Jarrod Bernstein, Jerry Silverman, Alan Solow, Susie Stern, Sec. John Kerry, Jonathan Greenblatt, Rabbi Jill Jacobs, John Ruskay, Ken Bob, Howard Friedman, Bob Cohen, Ester Kurz, Michael & Susie Gelman, Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, Rabbi Julie Schoenfeld, Amb. Norm Eisen, Ari Mittleman, Rob Eshman, Rep. Brad Sherman, Rabbi David Saperstein, Greg Rosenbaum, Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Michael Adler (who, according to one source, was staying at Biden’s house), Reva Price, Matt Nosanchuk, Rep. Nita Lowy, Steve Rabinowitz, Lou Frillman, Matt Dorf, Sec. Moniz, Rep. Steve Israel, Francie Harris, Jeremy Ben-Ami, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Sec. Jack Lew, Adam Szubin, Jason Isaacson, Rep. Eliot Engel, Debra Barton Grant, Stosh Cotler, Aaron Keyak, Rep. Sandy Levin, Rep. David Ciciliine, Rep. Lois Frankel, Steve Bittel, Laurie Moskowitz, Jane Harman, Barry Karas, and WH CoS Denis McDonough.

Moment: See Biden embracing Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer [Pic]

Dispatches: “Biden hints of Netanyahu meeting” by Edward-Isaac Dovere [Politico] • “On Iran deal, Biden tells Jews, ‘I promise you it will be enforced’” by Rob Eshman [JewishJournal]