Oxon, Md., right outside of DC is a picturesque setting for a family reunion, and that’s what it felt like at the GA, the General Assembly of the North American Federations. Lots of energy was spent discussing pressing issues that face our collective Jewish community, up to and including an inordinate amount of time discussing the Israel/America relationship in light of the name calling that’s gone on in recent weeks. VP Joe Biden finally took the chicken by the horns and asserted proudly and passionately that America will always stand by Israel…and listed the facts on the ground: money and materiel and much more than that. Those facts are hard to dispute. You couldn’t help but be impressed by the passion evinced by the Vice President. Let’s hope that it stays this way and not break down into name-calling sessions anytime in near future.