"It has come to our attention that the Obama campaign has instituted a new policy of not debating representatives of the RJC at community candidates' forums. Forum organizers are being asked to provide surrogates not from the RJC. Temple Sinai, in suburban Philadelphia, was told that Obama surrogate state Rep. Josh Shapiro would not participate with RJC Philadelphia Director Scott Feigelstein. The synagogue was instructed to find someone else. This is not the first time the Obama campaign has made such a demand of Jewish forum organizers. We find it a curious paradox that Obama would engage Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadenijad without preconditions, but the Obama campaign will not engage the RJC," said Brooks. "Given how troubling Senator Obama's record is on Israel, I guess he's afraid to have a fair debate."