Biden Launches Presidential Campaign, Holds Local Fundraising Event
Former Vice President Joe Biden announced he will run for president in 2020 on April 25, a declaration that pundits and political watchers had anticipated for weeks.
This will be his third time vying for the presidency, and he’s joining a crowded field. Not surprisingly, he launched the campaign close to his old stomping grounds: in Philadelphia.
His first event as a declared candidate took place that night at the Mt. Airy home of Rhonda and David L. Cohen, both active members of the Jewish community and 2017 Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia campaign co-chairs. David L. Cohen is the senior executive president of Comcast Corp., and the couple’s house has served as a warm embrace for other politicians’ fundraisers in the past, including Biden’s former boss, President Barack Obama, as well as former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
Other fundraiser hosts included Sandy and Steve Cozen; Marcia and Ron Rubin; former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (whose 1991 campaign was successfully managed by David L. Cohen); lawyers Ken Jarin and Alan Kessler; Independence Blue Cross CEO Dan Hilferty; former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter; Comcast Corp. Vice President of Community Investment Charisse Lillie; Michael Glatt; former U.S. Rep. Bob Brady; and former state Sen. Connie Williams.
Guests included several Pennsylvania legislators: Sen. Bob Casey, Rep. Brendan Boyle, Rep. Matt Cartwright, Rep. Madeleine Dean, Rep. Dwight Evans, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan and Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon.
Casey, who has a long history of support for the Jewish community and for Israel, came out early with an endorsement of Biden, releasing a statement less than an hour after Biden announced.
The fundraiser asked donors for $2,800, the maximum allowed under federal law.
BBYO Liberty Region Announces Leadership Change This Summer
BBYO Liberty Region Senior Regional Director Arielle Buxbaum announced that she is relocating and will be replaced, effective July 1, by Jared Rosenbloom.
Rosenbloom joined BBYO Liberty Region in December, has more than eight years of experience in nonprofit Jewish work and earned a master’s degree from Gratz College.
Buxbaum will stay on until Aug. 1 to help with the transition.
In addition, Jenny Oswald was promoted to regional director of Liberty Region effective July 1. She has been on the staff for about three years.
‘Jewish Bulldog’ Runs Boxing Record to 4-0 With Unanimous Decision
Benny “the Jewish Bulldog” Sinakin shook off a second-round knockdown to win a unanimous fourth-round decision over Patrick Pierre on April 26 at The Met Philadelphia.
Sinakin, 21, had won the first round, but a hard right hand from Pierre in the second round floored the South Philadelphia fighter. Sinakin got to his feet and controlled the remainder of the bout, winning 38-36 on two judges’ cards and 38-37 on the other.
With the win, the light heavyweight ran his record to 4-0 with two knockouts.
Waxman to Leave DA’s Office
Ben Waxman will be leaving his post as communications director for District Attorney Larry Krasner at the end of May after more than two years in the position. Waxman announced the decision over a series of tweets on April 18.
“This was a difficult decision but it’s the right choice for me at this time,” he wrote. He added that it had been a “tremendous honor to work with such an amazing group of dedicated public servants.”
Waxman added that he would be returning to consulting at A. Waxman & Co., for now, and that, in all likelihood, he expects that the company will do consulting for Krasner.
Waxman, a graduate of Juniata College, was previously a reporter at the Daily News and WHYY before moving on to consulting. Before running communications for Krasner, Waxman held the same position in the office of State Senator Vincent Hughes, from 2013-2017. He joined Krasner’s campaign in February of 2017.
“I’m extremely proud of the progress that we’ve made together towards reforming our broken criminal justice system, protecting public safety, and securing justice for all Philadelphians,” he wrote. “I’m humbled for being given the opportunity to play a small role in these efforts.”
