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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
January 2 2025, Teves 2, 5785
<><> The eighth day of Chanukah<><>
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Lezeicher Nishmas Kalman ben Mordechai z”l
Mr. Kalman (Carl) ben Mordechai z”l Amrose, was a truly sincere person who embraced people from all backgrounds including those who might have made others uncomfortable. This thought was shared by his son Rabbi Gershon (Gary) Ambrose at his father’s levaya, Monday evening, the 6th day of Chanukah. Mr. Amrose’s love for H and the Torah knew no bounds. I was sitting in the Young of Manhattan on the Lower East Side listening to the Morah Daasrah, Rav Yeshaya Siff shlita and Rabbi Ambrose speak about Mr. Ambrose with such glowing words. They shared with all the attendees how a Yid’s behavior and his love for his wife Marcia tichye and his fellow Jew should be like. He remained strong and steadfast until his last days on this earth. Though Mr. Ambrose was modest and very humble, his words and his actions spoke volumes. The words spoken by Rav Siff and Rabbi Ambrose reverberated throughout the synagogue giving everyone much chizuk and inspiration.
I recently sent one of my Moments of Inspiration to Allison Atteberry, Executive Director of the Neshama National Association of Jewish Chaplains and she sent back the following comments “How lovely!, I enjoyed reading how you incorporated various faith traditions during this season while still remaining true to the values of Judaism. Thank you for sharing. Wishing you a warm and bright Chanukah,” When I was taking CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) some years ago and I was interning at was then Beth Israel Medical Center (now Beth Israel of Mount Sinai Health System) in Manhattan, NYC, my supervisors wrote in my evaluations (I shall paraphrase) that I was able to offer care to patients and staff of diverse religions, cultures, lifestyles etc. without compromising my Judaism. I continue to thank the Ribono shel Olam for the opportunities to make a Kiddush H. The lights of Chanukah gives us chizuk and we pray that the inspiration should last during a persons dark moments throughout the year. Mr. Ambros’e levaya was held on Chanukah and instead of words of sadness, we were all inspired by his values in life.
From: Rabbi Bender on Chumash
By Rabbi Yaakov Bender on Parshas Mikeitz, Artscroll, Mesorah Publishing Ltd. and the Flatbush Jewish Journal, December 26, 2024, Page 27. “And Pharoh sent and summoned Yosef, and they rushed him from the pit”(41:14). I recently met a friend and his wife who had experienced a loss, and now have a void in their home. They appeared glum, and when I asked why, they told me that it was because Chanukah is approaching.
They did not explain, but I knew what they meant. I vividly remember that first Shabbos after my father was niftar, the way his empty chair stared at us from the head of the table, the pain and anguish of the first Pesach without him.
Yom Tov is not an easy time for those who have suffered loss, but there is a way forward.
It starts by looking closely at a pasuk in this (last) week’s parsha.
Pharoh needed help interpreting a dream and he sent for the prisoner, Yosef. The guards came and rushed him from the pit.
The Sforno explains that the Torah specifically used this word, “they rushed him, “to teach us a lesson: yeshuas H k’heref ayim. H’s salvation comes in a blink of an eye. A moment earlier, Yosef was forlorn and forgotten, lonely and alone, and suddenly he was rushed out for a haircut. Soon after, he would be royalty.
This is the way of H’s world. People go through difficult times, and it often appears that the darkness will never lift, but it does. It does. It does and it will.”
We all have to have feelings for each other. Chanukah can be a time of memories and a time of loneliness but we have to have hope and for chaplains, rabbis and rebbetzins, a time for giving chizuk and understanding with compassion. Life does go on.
Some thoughts of the “New Year.”
The New Year. True, there are non-Jewish connotations in regards to the New Year, but for most, it is like the changing of the guards – the changing of the calendar. Starting anew, especially reflecting the new year of tax information requirements, making out donation checks with the year 2025, expiration dates, so on and so forth. Many religions, have a special prayer service but for millions of others throughout the world, the strike of 12:00, the blowing of horns, the ringing of bells, the tooting from the many boats, the fireworks, the celebrations leading up to 12:00 AM is what brings in the new year. For millions of people throughout the world, the new year can bring in happiness one can look forward to or challenging times of sadness. It is interesting to note of how much “bringing in the new year” means to so many people from all walks of life and from many diverse backgrounds. I have received good wishes from many who are Jewish giving me blessings as if it was Rosh Hashanah. Of course, I take all in good and sincere stride as I do with many other things in life. Through the years in my various positions and also with friends and neighbors, I wish them a good year. Not to be cute, but several asked what I have to do with the tire company Good Year or the Good Year blimp.
Of course, for the sports minded people, the new year has lots of importance especially football. For many, new year parties are very important. But for many, returning to the office or other types of work, January second is a downer, a return to the old ways without the fanfare and the parties. The decorations have to be taken down, happy feelings, wishing everyone well, the extra niceness amongst fellow workers, supervisors , and the general public for many are gone. It really is a nice feeling when people, complete strangers, greet each other with niceness and kind words. I have received good wishes for a happy Chanukah perhaps even more than years ago. Being sincere, having good midos and values are not meant for certain seasons, but for throughout the year. They are meant forever. It is important to have a positive demeanor and attitude without the negativity that brings on ill feelings of others and chas veshalom on oneself. Interestingly, someone recently asked me how I am able to have a positive attitude and approach in life. He asked me what my trick is for being that way. Not to mean that I am a happy go lucky person but someone who can deal, advise, convey goodness and kindness in many situations. A lot has to do with who I have learned from; the Avos, my mentors, but most of all the Ribono shel Olam. There is no trick to being a kind person. One must just want to care about others. We must acknowledge how much the Torah means to us and to be cognitive of the love H has for us and our love for H. One can only wonder how special Avraham Avinu and Sarah Imeinu were and their care for all of humanity and their love of H.. I truly believe there is no trick but sincere and earnest will power to do what is correct and meaningful as the ways H wants from each and everyone of us.
I often discuss the responsibilities of a chaplain and his or her relationship to those we minister to. I have mentioned how important it is just as other professionals to have the right training, the right education the right know how of what to say or not to say. It is also important as Jewish chaplains to be able to refer to our Holy Books, to our mentors, to our Gedolim, to help bring us into the realm of how and what we should be like being in the present for those who are suffering with their difficulties or their fears with our spirituality and understandings are so important. Being in the presence with their difficulties and their fears is very important. Being with and for those who are celebrating life cycles or specific joyous occasions and moments are also important. Knowing when a situation is not meant for us to deal with but to recommend or defer to an appropriate specialist is important. It is important to be a team player.
I join the multitudes of those who knew Kalman ben Mordechai z”l, Mr. Carl Ambrose and offer our condolences to his entire family. May he be a maylitz yosher for his wife Marcia, his son Rabbi Gershon (Gary), his entire mishpacha and Klal Yisrael.
Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank
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