By:Andrew Coen
Jungreis appeared on the same night as featured speakers Laura Bush and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. It marked the first time that a female Jewish religious figure and Holocaust survivor appeared in this role. "It was truly an historic moment," said Jungreis in a phone interview last Friday. "It was awesome."
The Five Towner is known around the world as "the Rebbetzin," a title that means "rabbi's wife" in Yiddish. Jungreis is the descendant of a Hungarian rabbinic dynasty whose roots can be traced back to the biblical King David.
The 68-year-old survivor of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp is a huge supporter of President Bush, having supported his 2000 campaign against Al Gore as well as his re-election bid against Senator John Kerry.
In her closing benediction, Jungreis said, she tried to get across the importance of global terror and moral values. "Following 9/11, it was President Bush's valor and commitment to do battle against the forces of terror and evil that has ensured the safety and security of our nation," she said in her speech. "Of all the world leaders, it was only President Bush who had the courage to raise his voice on behalf of beleaguered Israel and recognize that terror in any part of the world must be eradicated."
The Rebbetzin was in Hungary visiting the gravesite of her ancestor, the Csenger Rebbe, known as the Miracle Rebbe or Rabbi, when she received word that she was being invited to speak at the GOP convention. The prospect of speaking at the gathering brought her life full circle, she said. "Only in America" was her first reaction.
Bush was so moved by her benediction that he invited her to sit in a VIP section near the podium when he gave his acceptance speech last Thursday. "It was really amazing," said Jungreis of being chosen to sit close to the commander in chief. "It was the first time I was able to see the president up close."
Jungreis said the main reason she supports President Bush is his stance on the war on terror and the moral and religious values he holds so deeply. "It is my personal conviction that he is a wonderful president who's interested in securing the security of this country," said the Rebbetzin. "I trust him."
Even though she supports Bush, however, Jungreis said she is not a partisan Republican. "I am not a political person," she said. "I vote on the issues."
The Rebbetzin, who is the founder of the international Jewish appeal movement called Hineni, is known for having universal appeal across denominational lines, and has addressed standing-room-only gatherings at such venues as Madison Square Garden and the Johannesburg Coliseum. She has also spoken to the heads of nations, provided spiritual counsel to the U.S. Army and Navy and appeared as a guest and commentator on radio and television shows.
