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Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank MS, BCC
Vice President of Professional Development and External Affairs
Chair of the Chaplaincy Commission
Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim
917-446-2126 rablenblank@gmail.com
<><>Thursday February 1, 2024, Shevat 22, 5784<><>
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Another Kiddush H at the bus stop and on the MTA bus.
The story of how precious a person can be
even when a person appears to be so simple.
“Never forget the power of joy to transform even a simple
mitzvah into a great light.”
Two very special conferences, one that was and one that will be.
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The Jewish Chaplains’ conference January 25, 2024 was a major hit featuring Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser shlita who was the Keynote speaker, Dr. Robert Goldschmidt, LL.D, Executive Dean and Vice President of Touro University, Rabbi Dr. Hillel Fox, Rabbi Simcha Silverman and Rabbi Dr. Doniel Kramer, three outstanding chaplains. Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik an alumnus of Touro introduced Dean Goldschmidt. Rabbi Yehuda Blank was the moderator. Dean Goldschmidt not only offered his greetings but his outstanding thoughts about chaplaincy. This conference took place at Touro University and was filled with distinguished chaplains from many locations in New York.
Many Rabbis, Rebbetzins and professionals do not know what a chaplain does They are trained and educated and often have diverse positions in society. There are police department chaplains, fire department chaplains, EMS chaplains, community chaplains, healthcare chaplains, prison chaplains, and even chaplains for corporations. The Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains for instance, has members of different types of chaplains who have taken only one, two or three CPE units and many who have taken 4 or more Units of CPE, (Clinical Pastoral Education ) to meet some of the requirements to become a candidate for Board Certification,( BCC). Board Certification also requires 2,000 hours of internship past CPE. It is not an overnight or 5 hour course. Not every institution or position requires a chaplain to be Board Certified, but it is the gold standard of chaplaincy and those who have become BCC are truly proud of their accomplishments.
Dean Goldschmidt shared his pride in being amongst the chaplains who were present for the conference and his thoughts and comments were truly well received and appreciated by the audience. I am sure that when listening to the thoughts of chaplaincy that Dean Goldschmidt shared and watching the video recording, everyone will undoubtedly appreciate his inspiring comments. The bio’s of the three chaplains are truly impressive. Aside from their academic and graduate degrees, their chaplaincy credentials are equally exemplary. Rabbi Fox, Rabbi Kramer and Rabbi Silverman were chosen as presenters and respondent for their expertise in the field of chaplaincy and the impressive positions they hold. They are known to be very qualified, knowledgeable and experts in their field.
The video recording of the conference is being made available to the above organizations, my readership, and professionals. They will have the opportunity to hear the holy words of wisdom from Rav Goldwasser shlita, the inspiring words from Dean Goldschmidt and the impressive words of chaplaincy wisdom from our two presenters, Rabbi Dr. Fox and Rabbi Silverman and our respondent, Rabbi Dr. Kramer.
The link to the video of the Jewish Chaplains’ conference can be found right below this article. The latest flyer for the Rabbis and Rebbetzins conference “When Trauma and Fear Surrounds Us: Current Challenges and Opportunities Facing Rabbinic Leaders is right below. The conference is featuring Keynote speaker Rabbi Dr. David Fox who is a renowned psychologist and Rabbi Simcha Scholar, CEO of Chai Lifeline. The Mara D’Atra of the Sephardic Lebanese Congregation is the illustrious Chacham, Eliyahu Elbaz shlita who will be offering his greetings and brachot. The synagogue is a Makom Kodesh that is absolutely beautiful and the Aron Kodesh is magnificent. The moderator will be yours truly, Rabbi Yehuda Blank. The topic Rabbi Dr. Fox will be addressing is of great importance and highly recommended for Rabbis and Rebbetzins to attend and should not be missed. He will enlighten us with information that will be meaningful and helpful to our congregations, our mishpachos, in our communities and for ourselves. Rabbi Dr. Fox is highly sought after for his expertise throughout the USA and Israel. Rabbi Scholar will offer his insights and important information to share with us. There will be delicious light refreshments to enjoy. We hope all who are interested in attending will please register.
I happened to be sitting at one of the bus stops on Grand Street on the Lower East Side when I noticed a woman standing. I got up to offer her my seat. She declined, but told me how nice it was that I offered. She then proceeded to share with me stories of how Jewish people were kind to her and her Catholic friends. She felt that parents should teach their children kindness and how to be as polite as I was. At one of the bus stops, an elderly woman got onto the bus and gently navigated herself between two people who were sitting at opposite seats with their shopping cart and walker facing each other. I was impressed how gentle and courteous this woman was. She was neither abrupt, nor nasty. She made her way through and sat down near me. I complimented her on how nice she was. She gave me a big smile and thanked me for making her feel good. in front of other passengers including the woman who I was sitting next to, thanked me and for making her feel so good. We both got off at the same bus stop and she said to me that she has something else to tell me- thank you for being so kind and zeidt ge zundt. The possibilities of kindness, of Kiddush H is endless. Being a people person is a possibility for us all. The most important thing it to be sincere.
A beautiful story by Linda Feinberg from the Yated Ne’eman magazine January 26, 2024 Page 38 “Joy Power” “If there was one thing better than being on the way to visit your rebbe, it was getting into a discussion with your fellow travelers that was so engrossing it made the long miles melt away. Such was the case with the chassidim on their way to visit the Chozeh of Lublin. While one group argued that a chossid should ask for only spiritual things- for instance, improving one’s Torah learning or davening- the other group vehemently disagreed.
“Chazal say that finding parnossa or a shidduch is as difficult as Krias Yam Suf,” said a member of the second group. “Asking the Chozeh for help with these matters is surely not only permissible but also praiseworthy.”
That comment set off a new round of arguments, while more miles flew by. They came to a temporary truce only when they reached a small inn and the wagon driver called out, “Mincha!”
Afterward, they climbed back into the wagon. But before they set off, the wagon driver said, “When we reach Lublin, I’ll have to stay with the horses. If I give you a kvittle, will you hand it to the Chozeh?”
The group agreed to do him this favor. The wagon driver hurriedly wrote down his request. They then continued on their way.
In Lublin, the Chozeh warmly greeted his chassidim and responded to each of their appeals. It was only when they were leaving that one of them remembered the wagon driver and handed the Chozeh the kvittel.
The Chozeh intently studied the scrap of paper. “This was written by a very great man,” he said. “The letters are glowing with light.”
At first, the chassidim were too embarrassed to correct the Chozeh. Then one of them said, “It was written by our wagon driver, rebbe. I’m sure he’s a good Jew. But if your were to see him, you’d realize he’s only a simple man.”
The Chozeh shook his head. “It’s you who cannot see. Find him and you’ll understand why his neshomah is sending forth this great light.”
The Chassidim rushed outside. However, they had no idea where to go. There was no great light directing them toward their goal. But they did hear music playing in the distance-the traditional niggun that’s played as the kallah walks to the chuppah.
“Perhaps he has joined the guests. Let’s find out,” one of the chassidem suggested.
As no one had a better suggestion, they followed their ears until they encountered a large crowd joyfully escorting a kallah- and dancing before her was none other than their wagon driver!
“She must be his sister,” whispered one of the chassidim. “Yes, that would explain his great joy,” another chassid agreed.
“But that doesn’t explain the great light the Choseh saw,” someone else protested.
“I’m not so sure,” the second chassid commented, “I’ve never seen someone dance with so much fire.”
After the ceremony, the chassidim asked the wagon driver to tell them what he had been doing since he arrived in Lublin. The wagon driver was surprised by their curiosity but he complied with their request. He explained that after he deposited his wagon and horses at a stable, he followed a crowd to where a simple chuppah had been erected- and where a shocking scene was taking place. In one corner the kallah, an older woman, was crying her eyes out. In another corner , the chasson was arguing with the rav.
“What’s going on?” the wagon driver asked the person standing next to him.
“The kallah promised to buy the chasson a tallis,” replied the Yid, “But she’s poor and she doesn’t have the money. Now the chasson is saying the wedding is off.”
Although he didn’t have much money himself, the wagon driver grabbed his neighbor’s arm and told the man to take him to a shop where he buy a new tallis. Then they raced back to the chuppah and gave the tallis to the chasson. The bride was taken to place to dry her eyes, and then she was brought back to the chuppah with great joy- and with the wagon driver dancing before her.
“I often don’t get to do such a great mitzvah,” the wagon driver confided, “so naturally I was overjoyed when this opportunity came my way.”
The chassidim rushed back to the Chozeh to tell him the story. “Yes, your simple Jew performed a great mitzvah,” said the Chozeh. But it was his joy that made the neshomah shine. Never forget the power of joy to transform even a simple mitzvah into a great light.”
May we be able to see the greatness in others and our own greatness too.
There is much for us to bring joy and care to others. We only have to find goodness and kindness in ourselves. Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank.
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK TO VIDEO RECORDING OF
THE JEWISH CHAPLAINS’ CONFERENCE
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