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Rabbi Yehuda {Leonard} Blank MS, BC
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
=September 17, 2026, 6 Tishrei 5769=
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Finding goodness in one and all –
Men. Women and Children of all Jewish backgrounds
and people of all backgrounds.
“Tie Ones’s Thoughts to G’s Kindness.”
“True Happiness”
Continue to have hope, faith, trust and always give thanks to H/G.
Being able to console others, to be understanding as Moshe Rabbeinu.
The 9/11 Teddy Bear and reflections after 9/11.
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Through the years I have had many unaffiliated Jewish people who would wish me a Happy Holiday or a Happy New Year without understanding the significance of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur or even think of attending the High Holy Days synagogue services. One of the most well-known baseball players who publicly would not play on Yom Kippur was Sandy Koufax. I was often asked what the difference was between the two New Years. Many would share with me how important it was to keep the resolutions they would make. Even if they were not able to keep them, they would try again. When the ticking of the clock reached 12:00 AM, they would wish each other a happy new year hoping for the good things to come and the negative things to disappear. How different it is for those of us who observed Rosh Hashanah with the various tefillos, customs and symbolic foods. We also go to a body of water to say Tashlich and symbolically throw our sins into the water. We do teshuva and beseech the Ribono shel Olam for His mercy and forgiveness. We know that the Ribono shel Olam loves us and we aspire to grow in our mitzva observance. We try our best to convey these thoughts to those who seek our guidance and support. We help them to proceed in life with positivity, encouragement and inspiration. Of course, what we say, how we say it, the words we choose are all important considerations to take into account with whom we minister.
When we wished each other a k’siva v’chasima tova and a gut gebenched yar, or a gemar chasima tova we do so with a sincere heart, not just to have a wonderful new year but that the Ribono shel Olam should make it possible for us to have a year filled with hope, goodness, kindness, good health, happiness and all the blessings from H.
From: Faith and Trust: True Happiness
By Rabbi Shemuel Houminer, Published by Quantum Press. Distributed by Feldheim Publishers. Page 24/25. “The one who trusts G is always happy, as the verse says, “Let our hearts rejoice, for we have trusted in His holy name.” (Tehillim 33:21)( Eved Ha-melech)
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From: “Tie One’s Thoughts to G’s Kindness
(ibid page 24/25) “The Maggid of Mezritch explains the verse, “He who trusts in G will be surrounded by kindness” (Tehillim 32:10), to mean that a man’s soul clings to that which occupies his thoughts. Should his thoughts be tied to G’s judgment, his soul will be judged. When a person trusts in G’s attribute of kindness, his soul will cling there, and “happiness will surround him.” Therefore, he should constantly immerse himself in thoughts of G.” (Maggid of Mezritch).”
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From: “Remaining Hopeful”
(ibid page 26/27- 28/29) “R. Yitzchak said, everyone should be hopeful. Even if he isn’t otherwise worthy, his hopefulness, faith and trust will be accounted to his credit.
When one is suffering, let him remain hopeful. When one is sanctifying the name of G until death, let him be hopeful. When one prays in the merit of the patriarchs, let him be hopeful. When yearning for the World to Come, remain hopeful. The verse which reflects this is (Yeshayahu 26:8), “Even when in the path of Your judgments, H, have we longed for You. The desire of our soul is to Your name, and to the remembrance of You.” “Your judgments” are sufferings. “To Your name” parallels sanctifying G’s name. “The remembrance of You” refers to the patriarchs. “The desire of our soul” alludes to the yearning for the future world.
Finding Divine favor depends on our longing for His help, as the verse states, “O H, be gracious to us, we have waited for You, be their arm every morning, also our salvation at the time of trouble” (Yeshayahu 32:2). Divine forgiveness depends upon our longing for His assistance. This is derived from the juxtaposition of the verses: But there is forgiveness with You in order that You be feared. I wait for H, my soul waits, and in His word I hope” (Tehillim 130:4-5).” (Midrash Rabbah).
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From: Kol Dodi on the Torah
By Rabbi David Feinstein, Artscroll Judaica Classics. Mesorah Publications Ltd. Parshas Ki Savo page 285 “And H did not give you a heart to know and eyes to see and ears to hear until today (29:3). Moshe is consoling the Jews: “Until now, H did not give you the ability to see and understand His great kindness to you. It is not your fault that you did not appreciate them because in the past you were not capable of it. Now, however, that He has given you these powers, you will be held responsible for your actions.” And now that they were capable of doing so, Moshe was able to charge them with the responsibilities he speaks of in Parshas Nitzavim.”
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Now the story of the 9/11 Teddy Bear. As I had mentioned in my previous article that I was called to active duty as a police chaplain after the planes had crashed into the Twin Towers in Manhattan. I also was in the midst of my Clinical Pastoral Education. In addition, I was the Chair of the Manhattan Coalition on Mental Health Issues of the Elderly which I spearheaded dealing with suicide, depression and other mental health issues. I eventually became the Executive Director of the Lower Manhattan Health Care Coalition. I worked closely with my Co-Chair, Martha Pollack LCSW, who was also at that time the Director of Social Work for the United Jewish Council. The coalitions were comprised of medical doctors, mental health professionals, other professionals and clergy of different faiths. After 9/11 had occurred, there was tremendous fear and concerns by many groups of diverse ages from all walks of life. Martha Pollack and I addressed many groups with calming, caring and meaningful words of comfort. We addressed what to do with one’s feelings and who to seek help from amongst other vital information. Our coalition members also addressed and conveyed important information to professional and nonprofessional audiences, many who were from social service agencies and organizations. In one of the locations where we gave presentations, we came across boxes of stuffed animals such as the picture of the Teddy Bear attached to this article which also had a note on each stuffed animal. Thousands of school age children throughout the United States wanted to do something for the children whose parents or relatives had perished in the Twin Towers. They envisioned hundreds, maybe thousands of victims who had died leaving their children now without their father, mother or even both parents. Each of the school age children donated a Teddy Bear or similar item and attached a note just as the one in the picture attached to the Teddy Bear which I have in my possession from 25 years ago. I have used it often in many of my presentations and there have always been individuals with tears in their eyes, some wanting to just touch the Teddy Bear. The name of the child and school where this Teddy Bear came from has been attached to it ever since. Incorporated in our presentations included having hope for the future, the importance of being understanding and empathetic about others regardless of their religious, spiritual or cultural backgrounds. Martha and I gave speeches on various mental health topics throughout the city. Personally, my experiences from 9/11 including my chaplaincy, Coalition and other work at that time shall not be forgotten and remains as vivid as it was during that period. It is interesting to note the tremendous patriotism with all types of vehicles displaying an attached American flag. The flag also could be seen attached to store windows and other locations throughout the USA. Houses of worship held many types of prayer services. There were all types of programs to address the emotional as well as the spiritual needs of the thousands of men, women and children of diverse ages. I was proud to serve my country as a chaplain and in my position in the social service arena. As a Rabbi of a community synagogue, I was grateful to be able to address the needs of my own congregants as well as helping others in their time of need. For the rabbonim and rebbetzins of the thousands of synagogues throughout the USA, especially in NYC, the Yemei Noraim, High Holy Days, were some of the most difficult and challenging days interacting with and offering their spiritual and emotional care to their congregations, community and their own family members.
May we be zoche to receive H’s blessing to be forgiven for any sins we may have committed and to be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life for all the good we did.
Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank
