Rona Ram addresse the community, following her very recent attendance at the White House where she was invited to President Bush’s Chanukah Reception.  Rona describes the emotions her journey took her through as she represented the Iranian Jewish community to the President.

December 13, 2007

Beautiful Friends,

I write to you, as I just got landed in LA from Washington DC, to try to describe to you what was probably one of the most meaningful and touching nights of my life.  I want you to know that being there last night at The President’s Chanukah Reception, feeling the warm embrace of the White House, and particularly, The President, as an Iranian Jew, blew my mind.  I remember, just before heading to the White House, I was reading about the injustices our Jewish brothers and sisters in Iran are facing, and it just put everything in perspective; we are all so truly lucky to be here In America.

So what happened?  What did I say?  What did The President say?  What did it look like?  I'll do the best to capture the moment and communicate to you an experience that words do an injustice in expressing. 

The White House was GRAND.  You just feel royal being in there, and in awe walking around the Green Room, Blue Room, Red Room and throughout the special areas where the President meets with and entertains high level international world leaders.   It was all just breathtaking.  I looked out of the French windows, out through the lawn and across to the Washington Monument, and I remember saying, "So this is what it looks like from the inside."  Even more incredible was to take in all of this, while listening to the US Marine Band playing our favorite Chanukah songs.   Never would I have ever dreamed I'd hear "Dreidel Dreidel Dreidel" played by a full on US Marine Band Ensemble, and certainly not at the White House. 

 Throughout the night, I had the honor of meeting honorable dignitaries, including Senator Lieberman and his wife, as well as several of Bush's personal Jewish aides.   It's one thing to meet "important people"; it's another thing when they’re Jewish.  I can't explain it, but it was just so personal, so warm, so special.   It felt so much like that feeling of being in Israel, where it doesn't matter where you come from or what you're doing, but just that we're all in it together.   Among it all, though, I have to  say there was nothing as meaningful as toasting a L'Chaim with Dennis Prager (Radio show host, author, columnist), Rav David Shofet (Chief Persian Rabbi) and John Fishel (President of The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles) all together at the White House on Chanukah.  

But I must admit, while trying to meet and mingle with the 300 Jewish leaders in the room, visit each area of the white house through the tours the Marines would lead, I was anxiously awaiting to meet El Presidente himself, and had to drink a glass of wine to calm myself down.  I felt nervous, honored and just kept practicing my line of what I was going to tell him over and over again, knowing very well that I would just have to let go and go with the flow.

Then, it happened.  They called us down to meet The President and have our picture taken.  My heart was racing and I just kept thinking, "You only have 30 seconds… make it good!   Make a connection, make an impact, impress and maintain professionalism."  The moment I realized I was in the President's presence, I started to cry!   Yes I cried and broke every rule of diplomacy, while my emotional control just flew out the door.  Being about 50 feet away from him, it just hit me that here I am standing in the doors of the US government, in the White House, in front of the President of the United States, after my family had sacrificed so much for religious freedom, as most of our family's did, just to be in a country that would tolerate us as Jews.    And here I am.

The marine handed me a card and took my name, mentioning that he would introduce me to the President and First Lady when it was my turn to take a picture and speak with him.  While others took 15-20 seconds for a picture and a few words, I thought to myself, "Yeah 20 seconds? Fat chance!", and figured that I was probably going to upset the people in line, or get kicked out of the White House, but either way I needed the President to hear my message and just connect.  My heart was pounding, literally, outside of my chest. 

It was my turn; the marine announced me, "Mr. President… Ms. Rona Ram."  Wow…Mr. President, Rona Ram… Wow…That's me… wow... that's him.  I was still in awe, and yes, still crying.

As soon as the President looked at me he saw my tears and responded with one of the most adorable gestures in the world.  He gave me the look a father gives a crying child, with his arms extended wide, as if he were about to say "Come on... why are you crying?  What... what's the matter... poor baby" almost making fun of how choked up I was!  I felt so comfortable, as if I wanted to just give him the biggest hug in the world.   He is honestly the most down to earth, fun, warm and sincerely loving person I have ever met.  You would never believe that this man, with the weight of the free world on his shoulder, is dealing with terrorists and fundamentalists for a living, daily.   You would almost think he's a bar tender or a taxi cab driver, just real down to earth.

I gathered myself together and said to him, "Mr. President I'm so sorry, but I'm so emotional right now."  At which he responded, with his deep Southern accent,” You, young lady, are too beautiful to get all emotional!  We gotta turn around and take a picture!"  I then stood by him, took a picture and then turned back, looked him straight in the eye and just launched.  I said, "Mr. President, I am here representing the Iranian Jewish community of Los Angeles, who wishes to express to you our deepest and most sincere gratitude to the brave fight you have set forth against the forces of evil, a force my community is all too familiar with."  

His eyes lit up and I swear to you I think he was going to cry himself.  He nodded, thanked me and said how much that meant to him, and kept shaking my hand.  Ohh, but I wasn't done!  I continued, "Mr. President, I was born in Iran and came here to this country, as did my entire community, to flee from the exact danger you are fighting every day.  That is why we are particularly grateful to you. "   Ohh still not done... there was no stopping me!

I continued, "I want you to know that my grandfather passed away nearly 2 weeks ago.  He left everything in Iran behind to make sure that one day we would live in a country that tolerated us and our religious differences with dignity.  Never would he have dreamed that we would not only be tolerated, but that his granddaughter would one day be embraced by the country's government and welcomed to meet The President at the White House for a Jewish holiday."  He grasped even harder and kept looking straight into my eyes.  Meanwhile the marines were trying to move the line along, but as far as I was concerned, he was the only person in the room.  And something tells me the feeling was mutual on his end.

 I wasn't stopping just yet, as I said, "I have spent my life making sure that the sacrifice my grandfather made was not in vain, and that is why I am here tonight: to encourage you to continue your fight."  He then said to me, "Rona, you must know that your grandfather's sacrifices were not in vain, and I too know that my work will not be in vain either."  And I said to him, "Mr. President, I promise you they won't be, and my community is a testament to that.  Thank you for everything you are doing."

 At that point, people in line were pretty annoyed and the marine looked like he was really ready to get the Secret Service on me, and I just said, "Mr. President, I'm so sorry to hold everyone up, I just feel it is my duty, and that I have been sent here, to deliver this very important message from my community to you."  

Then... the climax of the moment was when he pulled me in, again like a father to his child, so personally, and said "Rona, your message has been delivered loud and clear, loud and clear Rona."

I also then told him that if there is a way I can work to serve as his liaison to our community, that he should consider me part of his team, and call on me and allow our community to support him.  He responded with heartfelt gratitude, "I sure will."   I can't explain it or tell you just when, but something tells me at some point, he just may.

 "Thank you Mr. President, G-d bless you" and then he said, "G-d Bess You". Then I turned to Laura, realizing, "Shoot… the First Lady, I forgot all about her!   She was just standing there the whole time.  After all, the lady deserves some credit too!"  And I said, "Mrs. Bush, thank you for inspiring us everyday and truly touching the lives of my entire community.  You give us strength."  She was so classy, bright and beautiful and said, "Thank you for sharing your sweet words with us, thank you." 

I walked out of the room and started crying.  In fact, I am still in tears as I type this up. It was an experience of a lifetime and one that I thank G-d I was able to take part in. 

If I can sum up my experience, and an important take away message in all of this, it can be put in 3 words: “Only in America."  This experience taught me that just as my grandfather's sacrifice, my parents sacrifice, your family's sacrifice, and just as the sacrifice and work the President of the United States is taking on, I assure you our work too and our involvement in the community is so important and will not be in vain.    We are each blessed to be in this country and we cannot forget that.  We cannot let the selflessness that went into us being here be taken for granted.   We can and all should be on those White House steps, taking our own pictures with the President.   We have the opportunity to and we should maximize it. 

My final glimpse of The President was when I snuck back into the photo room, where others were greeting him, in a much more composed demeanor than mine, and were taking their pictures.  I couldn't help it, and while I nearly got in trouble, I wanted to see him one more time.   I watched as the last few guests, who happened to be several lively Chabad Rabbis in black hats, coats, and long beards, were in line, before the night was over.   As Bush took pictures with each of them, at the end, he exclaimed, "Where's my team?  I want a picture with my team!  At which point gathered all 12 Rabbis to surround him for a truly incredible shot.   He then turned to one of the senior Rabbis, grasped on to his hand and with such a pleading face said, "Rabbi, please pray for me, please" at which point the Rabbi said, "We do, we pray for you everyday."  With such sincerity Bush replied, "Thank You, thank you Rabbi."  It was a very touching moment, and one that I was so fortunate to see. 

So, with the final Chanukah night's candles flickering in the background as I sit in my kitchen, ready to email this out to you, I feel so blessed.   I started my first night of Chanukah with the miracle of receiving my invitation to the White House, and I spent the last night of Chanukah with the miracle of sharing the experience with all of you.     I just wanted to thank you all for your faith in me and excitement.  More meaningful than meeting The President, and I really mean it, was being showered with such words of support and encouragement from you all.  There is not a single president in the entire world who can give me as much pride as I get from having you in my life.

Thank You.

With Tremendous Love and Gratitude,

Rona