On December 1, I was honored with speaking at the Occupations, Inc, Gala, of which one of our members is on the board.
Rabbi Philip Weintraub
December 1, 2012
Occupations Gala
There is an old Jewish joke that a new rabbi comes to a community and half the community stands and half sits for one of the prayers. Each side argues as to the proper position for this particular prayer. After weeks of arguing, the new rabbi goes to the odlest member of the community, a 95 year old man, who has been a member since birth. He tells him the situation and asks which side is correct. The old man responds, this is the custom of the synagogue. Half stand, half sit, and they all argue. [Laugh??] I know some of you are accustomed to standing for a benediction and some like to sit, so do whatever makes you more comfortable.
Good evening, my name is Rabbi Philip Weintraub and I serve Congregation Agudas Israel in Newburgh. I am proud to stand here before you this evening. I am proud to support Occupations, Inc, the Family Empowerment Council, the New Dynamics Corporation and the beneficiary of tonight’s largesse, the renovation of two group homes. Our work here tonight will truly benefit our community, which in Jewish terms would be, tikkun olam, repairing the world, or doing acts of gemilut hasadim, deeds of lovingkindness. No matter the size of our acts, we create a ripple effect, changing the entire world through the work of this evening.
Not knowing our guests of honor personally, Donna Applegate and Jonah Mandelbaum, I was pleased to see their names earlier this week in “We are One,” the publication of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County. There they were honored for their great support of the Jewish Federation, which as an umbrella organization for Jewish charitable work, helps to make a difference in Orange County and surrounding areas. I then asked around and of course, googled them, and saw more and more and more articles about their philanthropy, their hard work, and their dedication to numerous causes in our area. These fine individuals are certainly worthy of our recognition this evening.
Whatever our faith, whatever our philanthropy, we can recognize the good in others. In the Jewish tradition, it is taught that we are all created B’tzelem Elokim, in the image of Gd. This means that every single one of us has a Divine spark, an aspect of holiness within us. What Occupations, Inc does is to fan this spark, to add fuel to this fire, and bring goodness out into the world. By working with those who have varying challenges, Occupations ensures that the Divine spark is seen in all of their participants, parents, consumers, donors and employees.
My prayer for Occupations and for all of you this evening is that we continue this work. May all those here remember that their work here is holy. May they feel the joy of someone succeeding in their first job. May they share the pride of parents, sisters, brothers seeing their family member’s successes. May the mission of Occupations always serve as a guide for all here. May trust, nurturing relationships, and compassion lead us on a path of goodness, of life and of peace.
Amen.
On December 7, I was blessed to stand with Father Bill at the Pearl Harbor commemoration at the Newburgh Waterfront.
Rabbi Philip Weintraub
Congregation Agudas Israel
December 7, 2012
Thank you County Legislator Eachus for inviting me. My name is Rabbi Philip Weintraub from Congregation Agudas Israel, here in Newburgh.
Divine Parent,
We come together to remember. We come together to mourn the tragic loss of life of December 7, 1941. We come together to commemorate their souls.
Seventy-one years ago today, the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked the naval base at Pearl Harbor. It was a beautiful Sunday morning. At 7:48AM Hawaiian time, the first wave of airplanes left the 6 Japanese carriers and struck Pearl Harbor. Over the next two hours, more than 3500 Americans were killed or wounded. Eighteen ships were sunk or damaged and more than 350 aircraft were damaged or destroyed. On the USS Arizona alone, at least 1,177 lives were lost. On December 8, President Roosevelt declared it a “day of infamy” and led us into World War Two.
Seventy-one years later, we have much for which to be thankful. World War Two is long over. The Cold War is finished. We do not cower under desks for fear of nuclear annihilation. Yet terror remains. Our soldiers, airmen, sailors are around the world defending freedom and liberty. Unfortunately, we do not yet see perfect peace around the world. Instead we see civil wars and terrorism, violence and bloodshed. Yet amidst these difficulties, we remain united. We remember that together we can overcome any challenge, defeat any obstacle.
Tomorrow night is the first night of Hanukkah, when Jews around the world will light candles, commemorating their miraculous victory. Each night they will light one more candle, reminding them that we should always increase light and holiness in the world, never decrease it. They will remember that religious freedom is worth fighting for. Those living here will be aware of the beauty of the USA, a land that is a light unto nations, that demonstrates that freedom is not free, but is hard fought and continuing struggle.
I want to conclude this morning with a prayer we say regularly in my synagogue, from our prayer-book entitled Sim Shalom, Create peace:
May we see the day when war and bloodshed cease,
When a great peace will embrace the whole world.
Then nation will not threaten nation,
And [humanity] will not again know war.
For all who live on earth shall realizeWe have not come into being to hate or to destroy.
We have come into being
To praise, to labor, and to love.
Compassionate God, bless the leaders of all nationsWith the power of compassion.
Fulfill the promise conveyed in Scripture:
I will bring peace to the Land,
And you shall lie down, and no one shall terrify you.
I will rid the Land of vicious beasts
And it shall not be ravaged by war.
Let love and justice flow like a mighty stream.Let peace fill the earth as the waters fill the sea.
And let us say: Amen.
On December 10, I was blessed to open the Newburgh City Council meeting with a prayer. I thank Rabbi Jules Harlow and the Sim Shalom Siddur.
https://secure.uscj.org/bookservice/BookDetail.asp?item_id=356
Rabbi Philip Weintraub
Congregation Agudas Israel
Newburgh City Council Meeting
December 10, 2012
To the esteemed and honorable members of the Newburgh City Council and Mayor Kennedy, thank you for inviting me here this evening. My name is Rabbi Philip Weintraub and I serve Congregation Agudas Israel on North Street, a synagogue which has been in the City of Newburgh for almost 130 years. As a member of the clergy in this city, I know the hard work that you all put in to bring peace, growth and goodness into this city.
I want to share with you a prayer that is found in our prayerbook, Sim Shalom, a prayerbook whose name means, “Make Peace/wholeness.” Every Saturday morning we recite:
Our God and God of our ancestors: We ask Your blessings for our country- for
its government, for its leaders and advisors, and for all who exercise just and
rightful authority. Teach them insights from Your Torah (Bible), that they may
administer all affairs of state fairly, that peace and security, happiness and
prosperity, justice and freedom may forever abide in our midst.
Creator of all flesh, bless all the inhabitants of our country with Your spirit.
May citizens of all races and creeds forge a common bond in true harmony, to
banish hatred and bigotry, and to safeguard the ideals and free institutions that
are the pride and glory of our country.
May this land, under Your providence, be an influence for good throughout the
world, uniting all people in peace and freedom- helping them to fulfill the
vision of Your prophet: “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither
shall they learn war any more.” And let us say, Amen.
I share this blessing because I believe it is filled with truth, love, and peace. When we work together, we can accomplish greatness. We we work together we can discover truth. We we work together, we create peace. I pray that we always remember that when we are united together, all these things are true.
Thank you and Gd bless.
