Prominent Jewish Republicans Host Fundraiser For U.S. Senate Homeland Security Chairman Ron Johnson

NEW YORK, April 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Manhattan real-estate developer and hotelier Ian Reisner recently hosted a private fundraiser for Senator Ron Johnson (R – Wisconsin), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Homeland Security Committee. Holocaust survivor Sam Domb and former Republican National Chairman Ken Mehlman were among the leading Jewish Republicans and other conservatives who supported this effort.

Senator Johnson, who has begun campaigning for re-election in 2016, acknowledged the business leaders in the audience. He wondered, "Would any of you ask President Obama to negotiate on your behalf?" After the laughter subsided, Johnson listed his numerous concerns with Obama's pending nuclear-weapons agreement with Iran's dictatorship. Johnson also specified several amendments that he plans to introduce to assure that the U.S. Senate reviews and votes on this deal.

Those gathered at Reisner's Central Park South penthouse included a bipartisan group of Jewish business leaders — both committed Republicans and several traditionally aligned with Democrats.

"As CEO of Major Automotive Companies, Inc.," said Bruce Bendell, a longtime Democrat-leaning donor, "I respect Senator Johnson's history as a business leader and now as someone who is dedicated to undoing the economic damage of the Obama years and restoring dynamic growth to our society."

The participation of Bendell; American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) founding trustee Jonathan S. Canno; and entrepreneur Tzvi Odzer, among others, reflects growing Jewish support for Republicans. This parallels the widening rift between Jews and Democrats in light of Obama's abundant disrespect for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the White House's worrisome overtures to the ayatollahs.

"I saw up close the death and devastation of radical Islam at Ground Zero on the evening of September 11, 2001," Ian Reisner recalled. "I don't want to see New Yorkers once again incinerated by Islamic extremists from the Middle East."

As the reception concluded, Kalman Sporn, Vice Chairman of the 2014 Republican Leadership Conference, presented Senator Johnson with a rare coin excavated at Masada, site of the Israelites' brave stand against their Roman oppressors in the year 73 A.D. Sporn brought Reisner on his first trip to Israel in 2000, where they visited a military base and met Benjamin Netanyahu. Ian Reisner strongly has supported Jewish causes ever since, including Manhattan's Museum of Jewish Heritage and the National Jewish Outreach Program.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150414/198385

CONTACT: Sam Nunberg, 646-318-0115, [email protected]

SOURCE Sam Nunberg