Rabbi Menachem Genack, Chief Executive Officer of OU Kosher, and his family were recently invited to the White House to participate in a Jewish heritage event.
Upon reaching the outside gates to the White House, security informed Rabbi Genack’s son Moshe that his yeshivah ID was not acceptable; he needed a government-issued ID to enter. Having traveled from New York to Washington, D.C. in anticipation of hearing President Obama and participating in the event, the Genack family was not about to lose hope.
White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew with Moshe Genack, son of OU Kosher CEO Rabbi Menachem Genack, at a recent White House Jewish heritage event.
Rabbi Genack turned to White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew, who was at the event, for assistance.
Rabbi Genack explained to Mr. Lew that his son had encountered a problem entering the White House. Mr. Lew then spoke to the White House usher, who contacted the Secret Service. It was decided that Moshe Genack would be permitted entry on the condition that Mr. Lew vouch for him.
Mr. Lew agreed, and the entire Genack family was able to enjoy the program. Afterward, Mr. Lew commented, “It’s nice to be able to give a hechsher to the OU.”