Washington, D.C. | June 03, 2025 In an age marked by warfare, authoritarian threats, and ethical disorientation, leaders from throughout political, diplomatic, non secular, and civil society sectors convened on the Congressional Prayer Breakfast: Peace and Cooperation to affirm the pressing want for value-driven management and moral diplomacy.
Co-hosted by the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast, Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, and the Institute for Democracy and Growth “PolitA,” the occasion emphasised how religion, shared values, and non secular solidarity can present the moral foundations for democracy, worldwide alliances, and post-conflict restoration.
Kateryna Odarchenko, head of the Institute for Democracy and Growth “PolitA,” set the thematic tone with a strong name to re-center governance and worldwide cooperation round moral readability. In her keynote remarks, she drew upon historic Jewish teachings to articulate the position of ethical conviction in trendy management:
“In my remarks, I spoke concerning the Mishkan—the sanctuary constructed within the wilderness. Constructed from easy supplies, it grew to become a house for the Divine. This historic lesson teaches us that when individuals come along with goal, even the fabric can change into sacred.
We reside in occasions when ethical readability issues greater than ever. The Lubavitcher Rebbe as soon as stated, ‘In a spot the place there aren’t any males—attempt to be a person.’ I imagine that is the decision of our time—for leaders to face not with worry, however with religion. Not with calculation, however with conviction.”
Odarchenko emphasised PolitA’s ongoing mission: supporting democratic establishments, advising civil society, and advocating for moral management all through Jap Europe.
Serving because the occasion’s honorary host, Congressman Mark Inexperienced, Chair of the Home Homeland Safety Committee and a embellished fight veteran, opened the Prayer Breakfast with a name for principled alliances and ethical resolve:
“At a time when democracies face existential threats from authoritarian regimes, gatherings just like the Congressional Prayer Breakfast remind us of the ability of religion to unite individuals throughout borders. Our dedication to liberty and ethical management—particularly in standing with allies like Israel and Ukraine—is rooted not solely in coverage, however in precept.”
Ambassador Oksana Markarova of Ukraine spoke with emotional readability concerning the non secular dimension of her nation’s battle for freedom:
“Nobody needs peace greater than Ukrainians… Like Israel, we’re an historic individuals on our historic land, but always defending our proper to exist. That’s the reason we pray collectively—not just for peace, however for statehood, dignity, and freedom.”
Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine and Atlantic Council Eurasia Director John Herbst echoed the geopolitical necessity of ethical alliances:
“The safety challenges we face—from Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea—are shared throughout the democratic world. However so are our strengths: resilient alliances, strategic readability, and ethical goal. The U.S., with dedicated companions, can nonetheless lead a world ethical order.”
The occasion featured three dynamic panels that explored the sensible implications of religion in governance, humanitarian response, and post-war reconstruction:
Ethical Dimensions of Peacebuilding in Israel and Jap Europe
Non secular Establishments’ Position in humanitarian disaster response and in preserving household and nationwide identification
Lengthy-Time period Put up-Warfare Restoration, with a concentrate on justice, financial renewal, and democratic partnerships
These discussions underscored a constant theme: that ethical readability should information technique if peace, dignity, and democratic resilience are to be achieved.
Distinguished visitors on the breakfast included:
Peter Huessy, President, GeoStrategic Evaluation
Paolo von Schirach, President, World Coverage Institute
Dina Shaikhislam, political and authorities relations guide
Amb. Dr. Tiffany Lancaster, UN Ambassador Particular Envoy for Public Affairs
Shelby Magid, Deputy Director, Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Middle
Matt London, Researcher, Georgetown College
Ezra Friedlander, CEO, The Friedlander Group
Adam W. Schindler, Chief Digital Officer, America First Coverage Institute
Anna Yabluchanska, United Assist Ukraine, and others.
All through the occasion, members returned to the shared conviction that religion isn’t a passive power—it’s the ethical compass mandatory for each resisting tyranny and rebuilding peace. As one organizer famous, “You felt it within the room: a starvation not only for solutions, however for knowledge.”
The Congressional Prayer Breakfast concluded with a name for ethical braveness—not simply in politics, however in private management. Or as one visitor summarized: Democracy begins with character. That’s the lesson right here.
