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Democratic Primaries
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Congratulations to our presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden!
"I Know Joe Biden: Rabbi Michael Beals"
The story Im about to share with you about Joe Biden is special in fact, Im fairly certain Im the only living person left who actually witnessed it firsthand.
It was about 16 years ago, and I was a young rabbi, brand-new to Delaware, on my way to lead a shiva minyan a worship service following a death of a Jewish person. I was from California. Back then, I didnt know Claymont, Delaware from Scranton, Pennsylvania.
A quick bit of background: When someone passes away in the Jewish faith, we observe seven days of mourning, called shiva. We gather a group of ten Jewish adults together a minyan to say the Mourners Kaddish. It usually happens in a persons home somewhere intimate.
In this case, the deceased individual her name was Mrs. Greenhouse, of blessed memory had not been a person of means. She had lived in rent-controlled senior housing in a tall high-rise building off of Namaans Road. Her apartment had been too small to fit everyone into, so we conducted our worship service in the buildings communal laundry room, in the basement of the high-rise.
We assembled the ten elders together, and it was in this most humble of places that I began to lead the kaddish. Toward the end of the service, a door at the back of the laundry room opened, and who walks in but Senator Joe Biden, his head lowered, all by himself.
I nearly dropped my prayer book in shock. Senator Biden stood quietly in the back of the room for the duration of the service.
At the close of the kaddish, I walked over to him and asked the same question that must have been on everyone elses mind: Senator Biden what are you doing here?
And he said to me: Listen, back in 1972, when I first ran for Senate, Mrs. Greenhouse gave $18 to my first campaign. Because thats what she could afford. And every six years, when Id run for reelection, shed give another $18. She did it her whole life. Im here to show my respect and gratitude.
Now, the number 18 is significant in the Jewish faith its numbers spell out the Hebrew word chai, as in to life, to life, lchayim! But its also a humble amount. Joe Biden knew that. And he respected that.
There were no news outlets at our service that day no Jewish reporters or important dignitaries. Just a few elderly mourners in a basement laundry room.
Joe Biden didnt come to that service for political gain. He came to that service because he has character. He came to that service because hes a mensch.
And if we need anything right now when it comes to the leadership of our country we need a mensch.
I know this is such a simple, small story. But I tell it to as many people as will listen to me.
Because I think that, in their heart of hearts, when people are trying to think about the decision theyll make next year this is the kind of story that matters.
Joe Biden is a mensch. We need a mensch.
It was about 16 years ago, and I was a young rabbi, brand-new to Delaware, on my way to lead a shiva minyan a worship service following a death of a Jewish person. I was from California. Back then, I didnt know Claymont, Delaware from Scranton, Pennsylvania.
A quick bit of background: When someone passes away in the Jewish faith, we observe seven days of mourning, called shiva. We gather a group of ten Jewish adults together a minyan to say the Mourners Kaddish. It usually happens in a persons home somewhere intimate.
In this case, the deceased individual her name was Mrs. Greenhouse, of blessed memory had not been a person of means. She had lived in rent-controlled senior housing in a tall high-rise building off of Namaans Road. Her apartment had been too small to fit everyone into, so we conducted our worship service in the buildings communal laundry room, in the basement of the high-rise.
We assembled the ten elders together, and it was in this most humble of places that I began to lead the kaddish. Toward the end of the service, a door at the back of the laundry room opened, and who walks in but Senator Joe Biden, his head lowered, all by himself.
I nearly dropped my prayer book in shock. Senator Biden stood quietly in the back of the room for the duration of the service.
At the close of the kaddish, I walked over to him and asked the same question that must have been on everyone elses mind: Senator Biden what are you doing here?
And he said to me: Listen, back in 1972, when I first ran for Senate, Mrs. Greenhouse gave $18 to my first campaign. Because thats what she could afford. And every six years, when Id run for reelection, shed give another $18. She did it her whole life. Im here to show my respect and gratitude.
Now, the number 18 is significant in the Jewish faith its numbers spell out the Hebrew word chai, as in to life, to life, lchayim! But its also a humble amount. Joe Biden knew that. And he respected that.
There were no news outlets at our service that day no Jewish reporters or important dignitaries. Just a few elderly mourners in a basement laundry room.
Joe Biden didnt come to that service for political gain. He came to that service because he has character. He came to that service because hes a mensch.
And if we need anything right now when it comes to the leadership of our country we need a mensch.
I know this is such a simple, small story. But I tell it to as many people as will listen to me.
Because I think that, in their heart of hearts, when people are trying to think about the decision theyll make next year this is the kind of story that matters.
Joe Biden is a mensch. We need a mensch.
https://medium.com/@JoeBiden/i-know-joe-biden-rabbi-michael-beals-29efe01d81e1
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
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"I Know Joe Biden: Rabbi Michael Beals" (Original Post)
Otto Lidenbrock
Nov 2019
OP
What is a "mensch"? Yiddish,- kind, giving, caring, loving, outstanding, the kind of person who
Stuart G
Nov 2019
#2
Yes, thx for sharing.. this is who Biden is... a decent man with all the right stuff to be president
Thekaspervote
Nov 2019
#5
"Joe Biden is a mensch." This is an essential point about Joe Biden. He's not perfect--who is? But
tblue37
Nov 2019
#7
I think this may've been posted before, but it doesn't hurt to post it again
MustLoveBeagles
Nov 2019
#14
CurtEastPoint
(18,622 posts)1. THank you for this. Here's a link that works. I removed the @.
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Stuart G
(38,414 posts)2. What is a "mensch"? Yiddish,- kind, giving, caring, loving, outstanding, the kind of person who
you would like to spend time with, very special person, a good friend, someone who is admired, etc.
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
babylonsister
(171,035 posts)3. Thanks. Great story! nt
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Poeraria
(219 posts)4. Beautiful story.
I look forward to having a president we can be proud of again.
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Thekaspervote
(32,710 posts)5. Yes, thx for sharing.. this is who Biden is... a decent man with all the right stuff to be president
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
WA-03 Democrat
(3,037 posts)6. Thank you
Very moving.
Go Joe Go!!
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
True Blue American
(17,981 posts)8. Sounds just like
The Joe Biden we all know and love.
I still remember how Joe consoled Meghan McCain about her Dad. He spent time with John, too.
Class act all the way.
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
tblue37
(65,227 posts)7. "Joe Biden is a mensch." This is an essential point about Joe Biden. He's not perfect--who is? But
he is a mensch.
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
samnsara
(17,606 posts)9. im in tears..again!
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Docreed2003
(16,850 posts)10. Beautiful story...thanks Otto
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
The Valley Below
(1,701 posts)11. Brought tears to my eyes.
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(296,870 posts)12. Thank you, Otto! You have to take out the "@" out of your link, though..
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(144,939 posts)13. I love this story
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MustLoveBeagles
(11,583 posts)14. I think this may've been posted before, but it doesn't hurt to post it again
Thanks Otto.
& Rec'd.
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(144,939 posts)15. When Joe Biden attended her shiva to pay his respects.
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden