Rabbi Steve Gutow, former head of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, joined J Street as a senior advisor for the 2016 elections.
The liberal, pro-Israel organization said in a statement that in his work with candidates supported by J Street’s political action committee, Gutow will “help candidates to tap into the significant backing that exists within the Jewish community for diplomacy-first policies toward the Middle East, like the Iran deal.”
“This will be an extremely important election cycle in determining the future direction of American foreign policy,” Jeremy Ben-Ami, J Street president, said in a statement. “Rabbi Gutow will help JStreetPAC to demonstrate that support for American diplomatic leadership isn’t just good policy, it’s also a major asset.”
Gutow said he is pleased to be working with J Street: “In this very important election year, when all American Jews should extend themselves to help this nation be all we wish it to be with regard to both Israel and the Middle East, I feel fortunate to work with others at J Street to help candidates I believe in to succeed in their political contests.”
He was recently appointed to President Barack Obama’s Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Gutow resigned last year as JCPA’s president and CEO.
