The latest news online is about the seemingly unique guest list of the first ever reception being organized in the white house to mark the Jewish Heritage Month. The daily news is quiet a buzz with the unprecedented curiosity that is partly because of the fact that this fete is being seen as another Obama effect on the country and partly because it is expected to be quiet different from the President’s annual Hanukkah party and other Jewish events organized for the Jewish community. According to a site that runs a service for publishing daily news online called ‘dailynewsonline.com’ one of the major differences would be the guest list that spans not just to established Jewish organizations but also to Jews who have made a significant contribution in the fields like art, music, sports, space programs and other fields.

The daily news online says that the most prominent guest on the list would be Baseball legend Sandy Koufax who served as a left handed pitcher for the Dodgers. The now seventy four years old player was once a part of the news headlines for having refused to pitch for a world series game because it was on Yom Kippur, which is considered as the holiest day in Judaism. However, he was unavailable for the comment so the news is not confirmed. One person who is confirmed to attend is Dara Torres. The Olympic swimmer’s agent confirmed her name for the event. Some more eminent names in the list according to national news tabloids are Judy Blume and Mindy Finkelstein. Along with that it will include young Jewish activists involved in social and other initiatives. Like the head of Jumpstart named Shawn Landre, he calls Jumpstart a “thinkubator for sustainable Jewish innovation”. Latest world news sources have it that he will fly down from Los Angeles for the event.

The event is seen as an attempt to reconcile the differences that have recently sprouted between the administration and some Jewish groups. The rift doing the rounds in daily news is particularly regarding the policies towards Israel especially the ones related to the construction of Jewish settlements in the eastern side of Jerusalem. Though some officials have insisted that the plans have been in the making since months and the idea had been doing the rounds since a couple of years now. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman who had been leading the campaign to establish the Jewish Heritage Month said that:

“I’ve been trying to get the White House to put on this event for five years; I really don’t think it has anything to do with the current outreach efforts.”

A daily news online states how on being asked what motive does the President have to hold the reception, Matt Lehrich a White House spokesman said that Obama wanted to celebrate the contributions made by the Jewish Americans to national culture and history. It is also seen as an opportunity to foster collaboration, education and partnership if the latest news headlines be considered.

When Washington Jewish leader William Daroff was asked how he felt on not being invited he said it was quiet logical as “This event is less about those of us in the Beltway,” he says, “and more about the folks out there living the Jewish experience, and breaking down barriers.”

On a lighter note, Steve Rabinowtz, a public relations executive for Washington said “Adam Sandler could write a whole new Hanukkah song after this party.” In general, the event is being seen as a unique and exotic one. The spirit can be summed up in Daroff’s words “Listen, anytime there’s a first in Washington, it’s a big deal”.