The Biden Administration had to defend one of its senior appointees from smears in the press that has been called “anti-Semitic.”
Last month President Biden created a new position, Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology, and tapped Anne Neuberger, a proud Orthodox Jewish woman, to lead it. Ms. Neuberger – who also goes by her Hebrew name Chani – grew up in a Chassidic Jewish area of Brooklyn and attended Orthodox Jewish Beis Yaakov girls’ schools.
After the terror attacks on September 11, 2001, Ms. Neuberger left a career in the private sector and dedicated herself to government service. She previously worked for the US National Security Agency (NSA) as Director of Cybersecurity. In her new role with the Biden administration, she coordinates cybersecurity across the entire US Federal Government.
Pres. Biden declared Neuberger “will be integral in keeping the American people safe and building capacity to prepare for and respond to the full spectrum of threats we face – from cyber intrusions to grid attacks, from possible future pandemics to deliberate acts of terror.”
After Ms. Neuberger’s appointment to the Biden administration, the magazine Mother Jones ran a spurious article about her family's private charitable foundation, seizing on the fact that Anne and her husband Yehudah had made a sizable donation to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). The magazine highlighted the fact that Israel is a “cybersecurity powerhouse” – as if supporting a strong US-Israel relationship somehow represented a conflict of interest for Ms. Neuberger. The donation, the magazine falsely claimed, would “raise a lot of eyebrows.” NBC picked up the appalling story, amplifying this baseless claim.
In reality, supporting AIPAC doesn’t raise any eyebrows at all. AIPAC is a bipartisan organization that advocates for a strong US-Israel relationship. Pres. Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have each spoken at AIPAC events, as did former Pres. Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. It’s outrageous to claim, as Mother Jones and NBC did, that Ms. Neuberger’s supports of a strong US-Israel relationship is somehow sinister and un-American.
The Biden Administration defended Ms. Neuberger. “We are appalled by recent spurious accusations against our staff… there is no justification for false and ad hominem attacks based on ethnic, racial, or religious identity.”
AIPAC called the outrageous story “anti-Semitic.” The Biden Administration defended Ms. Neuberger. “We are appalled by recent spurious accusations against our staff,” NSC spokeswoman Emily Horne declared. “We welcome oversight and scrutiny, but there is no justification for false and ad hominem attacks based on ethnic, racial, or religious identity.”
NBC issued an editor’s note saying the story “fell short of reporting standards” and retracted their smears. Mother Jones refused to back down, and its baseless allegations against Ms. Neuberger continue to exist, polluting the internet.
Ms. Neuberger, meanwhile, continues to perform her vital work, undeterred and undistracted, keeping American citizens safe from foreign attack. Someone ought to tell the reporters at Mother Jones that that’s what loyalty, integrity, and patriotism truly looks like.
A History of Threats and Violence
Ms. Neuberger knows the threats that foreign attacks and surveillance can bring. Her four grandparents are Holocaust survivors, and her father grew up in Communist Hungary. She grew up hearing stories of the dangers her parents and grandparents faced. “Dreaming of those freedoms brought my family to this country,” she explained, motivating her for government service.
That traumatic family history informs Ms. Neuberger’s commitment to her Jewish faith. She told National Public Radio “There was a deep sense among my grandparents that their parents had been killed for their faith, and they had an obligation to bring up a generation (for whom) that faith and that tradition was meaningful – and to recreate it in these kids who were proving that Hitler had not been successful at eradicating this commitment to faith.”
In 1976, Ms. Neuberger’s family faced more deadly violence because they were Jews: her parents were on the 1976 Air France flight that was hijacked by the Palestine Liberation Organization. The terrorists forced the airplane to land in Uganda. There, they separated all of the Israeli passengers from the others and threatened them with death. Even though Ms. Neuberger’s parents were not Israeli, they were identifiably religious Jews and that was enough for the terrorists to target them, placing them with the Israeli passengers and threatening their lives. “My parents had American passports,” Ms. Neuberger said, “but because my father wore a kippah they knew he was Jewish and decided to keep him too.”
Ms. Neuberger’s parents – and over one hundred other passengers – were rescued in a dramatic raid by Israeli commandos. That horrible experience made a profound impression on Ms. Neuberger. “Threats from those that want to cause us harm are real and not going away,” she’s explained. “A military saved my parents… My life would look very different if not for that military operation. So (I understand) that there are threats where sometimes only a government, only a military, can bring peace.”
Jew in the Workplace
Throughout her long career, Ms. Neuberger has faced little anti-Jewish sentiment – until now. “If you are professional in your job and comfortable in adhering to your traditions, everyone will be fine with it,” she’s observed. “All my coworkers understand that I don’t go out with them for drinks on Friday night and that I observe the Sabbath. In fact, I have assistants who keep their eye on the clock for me Friday afternoons, letting me know that I had better get moving.”
Ms. Neuberger is also optimistic about the future for Orthodox Jewish professional women like herself. “My 17-year-old daughter, who attends an Orthodox school, went to a career night” in her school, Ms. Neuberger has recalled, noting that “religious women in a range of fields – doctors, lawyers, judges – came to speak to them. That would have been unheard of 25 years ago, when I was in high school. And now I want to contribute to that movement and participate in it as much as I can.”
(15) Rachel, February 15, 2021 2:59 PM
I read the “Mother Jones” article
I hope Ms. Neuberger ceases her involvement with AIPAC while working for the administration. While there is nothing wrong with her past affiliation, it is important that a high-ranking government official not appear to have a conflict of interest. I would say the same about such large donations to any NGO by any administration official involved with policy in the same general field. For example, a FEMA Director should not donate at that level to the American Red Cross while in office. She should probably get legal advice about how to set aside money for future donation. And of course, her spouse is free to donate as he sees fit.
(14) Natan, February 14, 2021 4:35 PM
Future scapegoat
In the ever increasing anti Jewish/Israel environment of today the following is almost certain to happen:
When something big related to cyber-security hurts the USA, she's going to be the scapegoat in a very public way (akin to the Dreyfus affair in terms of media attention). If it does happen (and I hope I'm wrong about that), I hope she doesn't suffer jail time or worse.
(13) Toby Klein Greenwald, February 14, 2021 3:24 PM
Good for her
Based on her excellent track record, she'll do important work and it will be a kiddush Hashem.
(12) Anonymous, February 13, 2021 11:02 AM
REMEMBERING MORDECAI.....
A government employee, despised by the enemy, who excelled in his mission.
Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
(11) Lynda O'Hara, February 12, 2021 10:14 PM
I am so proud
Yasher koach, you will be an asset to our government. Good Shabbos.
(10) Aviel, February 9, 2021 8:59 AM
The Pollard fallout
Dual loyalty charges seems always a potential issue when the stated policies of the USA are seen as harmful to Israeli and a Jew has an opportunity to help Israel what will they do? No easy answer to that question as Jews in exile are commanded to be loyal citizens as long as like in the United States they are given freedom to live as observant Jews. Jews are also responsible for each other and today they are in exile voluntarily as once again the option to return to their ancestral homeland beckons.
(9) MD, February 8, 2021 4:37 PM
Jews should stay out of politics
Jews should stay out of politics, stay out of places the world can look to use them as their scapegoat. Esther did not volunteer to be in Achasverosh's palace. Stay out of the spotlight, be quiet and humble.
Allan Park, February 8, 2021 7:09 PM
Never Again
The Jews of Europe were quiet and humble in the 1930's and look what happened to them. Do you want history to repeat itself? NEVER AGAIN!!!!
MD, February 8, 2021 10:15 PM
I hear you
I def hear you loud and clear, but unsure if fighting back would have saved us more than just being alert to our surroundings and leaving before things got too dangerous. To put a jew at the head of one of the biggest threats in this day in age, is putting us in a position to be blamed by the masses if anything goes wrong even if she did the best possible job anyone could have done in that seat. I do not think putting ourselves in that position is called "Never Again" or fighting anti semitism, it seems to me it can do more harm than good no matter how patriotic we feel to our country. But that is just my opinion, I am no expert on the matter, and definitely pray for the welfare of the country, and our people.
Allan Park, February 8, 2021 11:34 PM
New era for Jews
Jews have been peaceful and docile for 2,000 years and have been abused for that long. I suffered great anti-semitism during my school years in New Jersey during the 1930's and 40's and was forced to become a street fighter in order to survive at that time. I swore to myself that if I would ever be blessed with children of my own, I would never allow that to happen to them. When my first daughter began school and received her first report card, she was marked absent on 3 days. She was not absent. I went to her school to fix it and was told she was not there on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. I said that Christian students were not marked absent on their holidays and was told that nothing could be done. Instead of doing nothing, I took off from work and drove to Trenton to complain to the Governor. He took it before the Legislature and Jewish children were no longer marked absent on our Holidays.
The day for Jews to be quiet are over. We now have Israel, a world power in defense, innovations, science, culture and everything good for the entire world.
This was accomplished by speaking up for our rights and fighting evil. We should always speak out because our thoughts are just. Remember that we are giving to the world more than the world gave us. TIKKUN OLAM.
C Levin, March 26, 2021 5:12 PM
Wrong
The Jews before the war were as active and organized (both nationally and globally) as they are today. Hardly "quite" or "docile".
(8) Natan, February 8, 2021 8:17 AM
Ah yes, the same old story
Always just fine to be an "Italian American" or "African American".
Never OK to be "Jewish/Israeli American".
And that comes in gobs from both political parties and from "major/mainstream" news outlets (NBC in this case!) that are ostensibly "progressive/liberal/even-handed" - yeah right, no bias there at all!
They'll be working hard to get her ousted, that's for sure.
Rachel, February 8, 2021 3:56 PM
Chinese Americans and others have been subjected to increased scrutiny
The US needs multilingual experts, and these are often naturalized citizens or first generation Americans. But several have been accused of dual loyalty and worse. Absent compelling evidence, no one should be accused.
(7) Anonymous, February 8, 2021 7:10 AM
G-d forbid
I was dismayed by the title of this article. If "dual loyalty" has a technical legal meaning that makes a person ineligible for a government posiion, perhaps it should be between quotation marks. But if an orthodox Jew in the United States can not also be loyal to the Land of Israel and the Jewish people, then WHAT ON EARTH IS SHE DOING THERE?
Joseph A. Apicella, February 13, 2021 12:19 AM
No man can serve two masters
This women takes an oath or affirmation to the United States, as a person of honor should she not be able to do this she would resign.
(6) Onesmus Waiguru, February 8, 2021 4:13 AM
It's very encouraging leaving a world where people respect and appreciate other people religion.
Ms Neuberger is a perfect example of people who are proud of there background.
(5) Allan S. Park, February 7, 2021 6:29 PM
If only all Government officials had your devotion............
Dear Chani,
I am an American born Korean War Air Force Veteran who volunteered to serve my Country in time of need. I am also a citizen of Israel by birthright and choice. My devotion and love of the U.S.A. did not diminish due to that choice. I grew up with anti-semitism in my younger years and fought it vigorously so that my children would grow up in a better world. It is a better world. I support you completely in your new work and am confident you will help to make things better for future generations. Savlanut and shalom.
(4) Prof Asher J Matathiad, February 7, 2021 6:16 PM
Jewish woman in key post
B”H We’ve come a long way, baby, and now, even without Chani counted, there’re enough Jews near, and around the Oval Office to hold daily minyanim (prayer quorums)! Hail to America, for having the good judgment not to repeat the disaster of ‘16, a stain in our annals of history; further, kudos to our new, better, decent President who’s unafraid, fair, and balanced in detecting and promoting talent —- even if the qualities describe qualified Jews! With fraternal affection, Asher????????????❤️
Shalom-Hillel, February 8, 2021 4:43 AM
We all wish Chani well.
But many disagree with your swipe at the 45th president. This wasn't the place for it.
Nancy, February 8, 2021 6:57 AM
Misguided comment
Your comment started nicely, but went quickly downhill. Besides the fact that the current Jews around the Oval Office probably don't care about a minyan, the previous president was "unafraid, fair, and balanced" in promoting the right people and doing the right thing, especially when it came to Israel. We're unlikely to see that with the current administration.
(3) Diana Maltsman, February 7, 2021 3:04 PM
Admirable woman of great poise
Thank you for writing this very important article! I heard Ms. Neuberger speak at the MIT EmTech conference last year and couldn’t help but admire her poise, intelligence, calm demeanor and of course her dedication serving our country. She mentioned her Jewish roots and family history as one of the defining aspects in her life. Anne Neuberger is a great role model for young girls and women of any background.
(2) Gwendolyn Austin, February 7, 2021 2:35 PM
Anti-semitism
I enjoyed reading this article tremendously However, it shows that not only Anti-semitism but racism in this country is alive and rampant. It is excellent that she has an important job which she enjoys to serve and protect this country from domestic and foreign enemies. Kudos.She will not succumb to these unprovoked attacks.
(1) Rachel, February 7, 2021 12:37 PM
Not all workplaces are as understanding
As a professional, I was passed over for a promotion because of Shabbat and Yom Tov observance. And when I was a secretary, I had to fight for an altered work schedule for the same reason.
The federal government is a better workplace for Shabbat observers than a lot of others.
Thank you, Ms Neuberger, for your vital work.