Westchester Honors the Rebbe

Westchester County Executive Mr. Andrew J. Spano presented the county’s highest recognition award, a medal of honor of “Distinguished Service” honoring the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

On the sixth day of Chanukah, at a reception in Mr. Spano’s executive office chamber, Westchester’s six Shluchim celebrated a Chanukah Menorah lighting ceremony with the County Executive.

The Shluchim: Rabbi Yosef Y. Butman of Armonk -Chappaqua, Rabbi Dovid Labkowsky of Briarcliff- Ossining, Rabbi Mendel Silberstein of Larchmont-Mamaroneck, Rabbi Benjy Silverman of the Rivertowns, Rabbi Arik Wolf of Bedford-Pound Ridge, led by Westchester’s head Shliach Rabbi Velvl Butman.

The Shluchim were invited to a Chabad Lubavitch reception at the executive chamber, and joined together at a round table “Farbrengen” with County Executive Spano.

Each of the Shluchim shared with Mr. Spano a Chanukah message from the Rebbe. Mr. Spano poured a Crown Royal L’chayim for each shliach.

Mr. Spano fondly recounted the details of his visit to the Rebbe at 770 for Sunday dollars, the VIP treatment, and the great honor and appreciation of receiving a blessing and two dollars from the Rebbe.

In appreciation of Mr. Spano’s many years of friendship, the Shluchim presented Mr. Spano with a replica model of the 2nd Beis Hamikdosh, highlighting the exact location where the Menorah stood.

The Shluchim gave Mr. Spano a dollar for Chanukah gelt, which Mr. Spano placed in the silver Tzedokoh Pushka which the Shluchim had given him at a prior visit, and is prominently displayed on Mr. Spano’s executive desk. Mr. Spano told of how he puts money into the Pushka on a daily basis.

The Shluchim explained the power and merit of giving charity, and how the dollar bill prominently states “In G-D We Trust” as well as the message of unity inscribed on the United States dollar bill “E Pluribus Unum” – out of many, one.

Mr. Spano told the Shluchim how inspiring it is to see the global work of the Rebbe, and the honor of giving the Rebbe Westchester’s highest Medal of Honor, “Distinguished Service”.

In honor of the 100 days leading up to Yud Alef Nissan, The Rebbe’s 109th birthday, County Executive Spano issued a proclamation, proclaiming “100 Days of Goodness and Kindness” in honor of the Rebbe.

The text of the proclamation:

“Whereas The miraculous victory – culminating with the Rededication of the sanctuary in Jerusalem and the rekindling of the Menorah which had been desecrated and extinguished by the enemy – has been celebrated annually ever since during these eight days of Chanukah, especially by lighting the Chanukah Menorah, also as a symbol and message of the triumph of freedom over oppression, of spirit over matter, of light over darkness.

“Whereas The Chanukah Lights remind us in a most obvious way that illumination begins at home, within oneself and one’s family, by increasing and intensifying the light of goodness and kindness in the everyday experience, as the Chanukah Lights are kindled in growing numbers from day to day. But though it begins at home, it does not stop there. Such is the nature of light that when one kindles a light for one’s own benefit, it benefits also all who are in the vicinity.

“Whereas The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, has through his leadership established more then 3000 Chabad Lubavitch centers “Centers of Light and Illumination” around the world, enriching and strengthening, the religious, educational, cultural , moral and ethical fibbers of countless individuals from all walks of life, and The Rebbe’s call to all citizens of the world is to prepare for the final redemption and Moshiach, the G-D given prophetic biblical era of universal peace, by increasing our acts of goodness and kindness, and;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ANDREW J. SPANO, COUNTY EXECUTIVE OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY, do hereby proclaim the upcoming 100 days leading up to the 109th anniversary of the Rebbe’s birthday, December 17, 2009 corresponding to 30 Kislev 5770, through March 26th, 2010 corresponding to 11 Nissan 5770, as
“100 Days of Goodness and Kindness”

In Westchester County New York in recognition of and in tribute to the Rebbe.”

County Executive Spano warmly thanked each of the Shluchim for the visit, and expressed his appreciation for honoring him with such a prominent delegation.

After leaving the County Executive’s chamber, the Shluchim walked across the street to the executive office chamber of the Westchester District Attorney, The Honorable Janet DiFiore.

The District Attorney invited all the Jewish staff members of the DA’s many departments, including the heads of the high ranking crime investigation units.

The Shluchim celebrated a Chanukah Menorah lighting ceremony at the District Attorney’s private executive office, singing festive Chanukah songs, saying L’chayim, distributing Chanukah Gelt, Chanukah brochures, and each Shliach sharing a Chanukah message of The Rebbe.

In appreciation of the District Attorney’s hospitality, the Shluchim presented the DA with a Pushke replica of 770, and one dollar Chanukah gelt for charity, explaining how all the good work done by the more then 3000 Chabad Houses around the world, are all an extension of the Rebbe’s headquarters at 770.

The Shluchim presented the DA with a copy of the internationally acclaimed book “Toward a Meaningful Life” which is based on the Rebbe’s teachings.

The DA fondly spoke of The Rebbe’s message shared during last year’s visit, and of the inspiration and great insights one learns from the Rebbe’s teachings. The DA told of often sharing with friends and colleagues the Rebbe’s teachings regarding faith and the spirit of the law and how it is critical for a child’s education and character.

The DA noted the important emphasis the Rebbe places on law and government, as they help fulfill the seven Noahide laws, encourage goodness and kindness and help prepare the world for the time of universal peace and harmony with the coming of Moshiach.