Obama Names New Members to Faith-Based Council

President Obama has named nine new members to the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

The council is part of a White House office the president set up in February to serve as a resource for religious and grass-roots nonprofit groups that are fighting poverty and other social problems.

The new members, who join 16 people who were appointed earlier to the 25-member advisory council:

• Anju Bhargava, founder, Asian Indian Women of America, New Jersey.

• Bishop Charles Blake, presiding bishop, Church of God in Christ, Los Angeles.

• The Rev. Peg Chemberlin, president-elect, National Council of Churches USA, Minneapolis.

• Nathan Diament, director of public policy, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations, Washington.

• Harry Knox, director, religion and faith program, Human Rights Campaign, Washington.

• Dalia Mogahed, executive director, Gallup Center for Muslim Studies, Washington.

• Anthony Picarello, general counsel, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington.

• Nancy Ratzan, president, National Council of Jewish Women, Miami.

• Sharon Watkins, president, Disciples of Christ, Indianapolis.

Council members serve one-year terms.