Washington, D.C. | June 03, 2025 In an age marked by war, authoritarian threats, and moral disorientation, leaders from across political, diplomatic, religious, and civil society sectors convened at the Congressional Prayer Breakfast: Peace and Cooperation to affirm the urgent need for value-driven leadership and ethical diplomacy.
Co-hosted by the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast, Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, and the Institute for Democracy and Development “PolitA,” the event emphasized how faith, shared values, and spiritual solidarity can provide the ethical foundations for democracy, international alliances, and post-conflict recovery.
Kateryna Odarchenko, head of the Institute for Democracy and Development “PolitA,” set the thematic tone with a powerful call to re-center governance and international cooperation around ethical clarity. In her keynote remarks, she drew upon ancient Jewish teachings to articulate the role of moral conviction in modern leadership:
“In my remarks, I spoke about the Mishkan—the sanctuary built in the wilderness. Constructed from simple materials, it became a home for the Divine. This ancient lesson teaches us that when people come together with purpose, even the material can become sacred.
We live in times when moral clarity matters more than ever. The Lubavitcher Rebbe once said, ‘In a place where there are no men—strive to be a man.’ I believe this is the call of our time—for leaders to stand not with fear, but with faith. Not with calculation, but with conviction.”
Odarchenko emphasized PolitA’s ongoing mission: supporting democratic institutions, advising civil society, and advocating for ethical leadership throughout Eastern Europe.
Serving as the event’s honorary host, Congressman Mark Green, Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee and a decorated combat veteran, opened the Prayer Breakfast with a call for principled alliances and moral resolve:
“At a time when democracies face existential threats from authoritarian regimes, gatherings like the Congressional Prayer Breakfast remind us of the power of faith to unite people across borders. Our commitment to liberty and moral leadership—especially in standing with allies like Israel and Ukraine—is rooted not only in policy, but in principle.”
Ambassador Oksana Markarova of Ukraine spoke with emotional clarity about the spiritual dimension of her nation’s fight for freedom:
“No one wants peace more than Ukrainians… Like Israel, we are an ancient people on our historic land, yet constantly defending our right to exist. That is why we pray together—not only for peace, but for statehood, dignity, and freedom.”
Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine and Atlantic Council Eurasia Director John Herbst echoed the geopolitical necessity of moral alliances:
“The security challenges we face—from Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea—are shared across the democratic world. But so are our strengths: resilient alliances, strategic clarity, and moral purpose. The U.S., with committed partners, can still lead a global moral order.”
The event featured three dynamic panels that explored the practical implications of faith in governance, humanitarian response, and post-war reconstruction:
- Moral Dimensions of Peacebuilding in Israel and Eastern Europe
- Religious Institutions’ Role in humanitarian crisis response and in preserving family and national identity
- Long-Term Post-War Recovery, with a focus on justice, economic renewal, and democratic partnerships
These discussions underscored a consistent theme: that moral clarity must guide strategy if peace, dignity, and democratic resilience are to be achieved.
Distinguished guests at the breakfast included:
- Peter Huessy, President, GeoStrategic Analysis
- Paolo von Schirach, President, Global Policy Institute
- Dina Shaikhislam, political and government relations consultant
- Amb. Dr. Tiffany Lancaster, UN Ambassador Special Envoy for Public Affairs
- Shelby Magid, Deputy Director, Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center
- Matt London, Researcher, Georgetown University
- Ezra Friedlander, CEO, The Friedlander Group
- Adam W. Schindler, Chief Digital Officer, America First Policy Institute
- Anna Yabluchanska, United Help Ukraine, and others.
Throughout the event, participants returned to the shared conviction that faith is not a passive force—it is the moral compass necessary for both resisting tyranny and rebuilding peace. As one organizer noted, “You felt it in the room: a hunger not just for answers, but for wisdom.”
The Congressional Prayer Breakfast concluded with a call for moral courage—not just in politics, but in personal leadership. Or as one guest summarized: Democracy begins with character. That’s the lesson here.
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