Sinema Meets with Rabbi Deitsch as He Delivers Senate’s Daily Opening Prayer

Jan 31, 2024

Senator recommended Rabbi Mendy Deitsch to deliver the U.S. Senate’s daily morning prayer

Sinema shared with Rabbi Deitsch her long-term and unwavering support for peace and the Jewish community

WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema met with Rabbi Mendy Deitsch, Director of the Chabad of the East Valley, following his delivery of the U.S. Senate’s daily opening prayer, in the week leading to Holocaust Remembrance Day.

“I am honored to welcome Rabbi Deitsch to the U.S. Senate as he delivers the daily opening prayer, especially as we continue to work for the return of the hostages and for a world free from hate and terrorism,” said Sinema.

Sinema thanked Rabbi Deitsch for delivering the Senate’s daily opening prayer, as well as for his community work in Chandler and his scholarship program. The Senator recommended Rabbi Deitsch to participate in delivering the Senate’s daily opening prayer, as part of the Senate’s guest chaplain Program.

Rabbi Deitsch is the senior and family rabbi at the Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life in Chandler. The Chabad Center has been an important part of the community in Chandler, serving hundreds of families. Rabbi Deitsch also serves as the director of Comfort Food Pantry, providing food, clothing, and monetary assistance to Chandler residents and the wider community and also is the executive director of the Community Tuition Grant Organization, assisting low-income families with private school scholarships. Rabbi Deitsch has spoken at synagogues and Jewish community centers around the world, and is a widely respected religious leader both locally and abroad.

The Senator discussed with Rabbi Deitsch her long-term and unwavering support for Israel and the Jewish community. The Senator highlighted her current border security negotiations to secure passage of the President’s Security Supplemental, which includes American aid and support for Israel – America’s strongest ally in the Middle East.

Sinema recently introduced the bipartisan Revoke Iranian Funding Act which freezes $6 billion in Iranian assets held in Qatar. Sinema’s bipartisan legislation prevents the Iranian regime – one of Hamas’s largest supporters – from accessing and using the funds currently held in Qatar to finance terrorist attacks against Israel or any other nation. The bill also directs the U.S. Treasury Secretary to study all high-value Iranian assets around the world currently blocked by U.S. sanctions and report these findings to Congress – that way Sinema and her colleagues have the information needed to enact further targeted legislation if necessary.

Following the terrorist attacks against Israel, Sinema urged President Biden to quickly transfer requested defense weapons to Israel as it defends itself against terrorism.