Regarding this period, he wrote in his book Israel's Defense Line: Our Jewish community faced a challenge in 1942.
Numbed and helpless bystanders as Adolf Hitler waged his demoniacal war against the Jewish people, embittered by our failure to rouse the democracies to deter Hitler, to rescue and open doors to those who might be saved, American Jews assumed their responsibility during World War II.
In keeping with the more relaxed environment on Israel, journalist J.J. Goldberg in 1996 describes Kenen's style of lobbying as "friendly, collegial".
When he required extra fire-power on Capitol Hill, he could open his rolodex of hundreds of Jewish community leaders who could reach out to their representatives.
It was established at that time because Israel needed American economic assistance to enable her to absorb the huge influx of refugees who poured into the country soon after statehood.
[6] In his biography "Israel's Defense Line", Kenen revealed his transition to an unregistered lobbyist for Israel: "Israelis began looking for a lobbyist to promote the necessary legislation ... would I leave the Israeli delegation for six months to lobby on Capitol Hill?
[7] Kenen never complied with the order, but instead began working on public relations for the American Zionist Council (AZC).