Mindi Pinsk from Russia hadn’t seen her classmate Vera Versky for the past 50 years. By chance they both met on a train traveling from New York City to Montreal, Canada. “Vera”, said Mindi, “It’s been 50 years since we last met. When did you come to our great country, America?” “I am only here two weeks and I am traveling to meet my long lost cousins in Florida.” She continued “This is a great country, so friendly, happy and free.” Mindi tried to hide her shock and said “This train is going north and you have to travel south.” Vera exclaimed, “Only in America can two people going in two different directions be on the same train.”
This week California experienced the Chabad West Coast Movement’s visit to its capital, Sacramento. Chabad is the largest Jewish organization on the West Coast and this event highlighted its 40th anniversary of West Coast service. Some 150 rabbis representing all parts of our great state of California gathered for a two day conference.
The highlight was West Coast Director, Rabbi Shloima B. Cunin’s address to the State Senate. He spoke of the work that the rabbis and elected officials had in common, dispelling darkness and bringing light. He claimed that this was the best state in America, the best country on the planet. He received a round of applause from the Senate and elected officials. A proclamation was made by the Senate proclaiming this day as Chabad Day – a day of goodness and kindness.
It was an eerie sight to behold, 150 rabbis dressed in black hats, white shirts, dark suits, distinguished by their beards. Each rabbi works either with children, adults, the handicapped, drug rehabilitation, or crisis intervention. After the presentation, assemblymen and senators were visited by the rabbis and district offices were inundated with information of the work performed by these clergymen.
Chabad of California comprises of over 100 branches ranging from Sonoma up north to San Diego in the south and Palm Springs in the east to the Beach Cities in the west. The impact of this visit will be felt for many weeks.
At the same time this took place, another event caused even more excitement. It was the Vienna Boys’ Choir from Austria singing in the lobby of the capital.
Governor Schwarzenegger attended and gave a speech honoring the choir. He recalled his young years growing up in Vienna, always attending the choir. Even here in America the choir would visit his home for private recitals.
Imagine, on one side of the capital were chassidic rabbis dressed in traditional black hats, and on the other side a very chirpy, happy group of choir members standing proud and cheerful. The mixture of the two cultures gave a new meaning to the sense of freedom and understanding, portraying a beautiful mosaic in our own capital.
How befitting I thought, we have a country that guarantees freedom and a governor that teaches tolerance. Who would believe that the 500 year-old Vienna choir, Austrian representatives and Jewish chassidim, originating from Europe, would meet here in Sacramento at one time and in one place.
Like the story above, like Vera, only in America can opposites meet and make room for each other portraying peace, tolerance and brotherhood like the colors of the rainbow, each complementing on another.
How wonderful the world would be if we could get this message spread to more of our citizens of the world. What a wonderful planet we would have.