By JACK ACHIEZER GUGGENHEIM
Special to zipple.com
August 21, 2000
Following Al Gore’s selection of Senator Joseph Lieberman (D- Conn.) as
his running mate, Lieberman’s every move has been recorded by the media
and the American Jewish community. As has been noted extensively, Lieberman
does not campaign on Shabbat; his return to Kesher Israel Congregation in Washington,
D.C., for the first Shabbat following the announcement came with much fanfare.
The sense of surrealism continued and the euphoria was tangible at Kesher Israel
this past weekend, the first “Liebermania Shabbat.” Senator Lieberman,
Hadassah and their daughter Hani were accompanied to shul by 15 to 20 secret
service agents. Some walked beside them; most trailed slowly behind in an SUV
and one of those black vans with all the techno equipment.
The large crowd was unusual for the summer, but this was not a usual Shabbat.
The media was there to film him walking in. The shul gave out a statement letter
to the media, welcoming them to observe or participate in Kesher, but requesting
that no cameras, laptops, pens, notepads, etc. be used inside the shul; and
that the media not attempt to interview service-goers on Shabbat. About five
secret service agents went into shul. By and large they blended in very well,
probably because Kesher has a relatively diverse membership with a relatively
diverse dress code.
A couple of agents were wearing the white, silk, bar-mitzvah-special kippah,
but most were wearing knit kippot, and were indistinguishable.
There was a female agent to protect Hadassah, and word is that Hani gave an
excellent tutorial on the services to her.
Senator Lieberman got an aliyah, after which the shul burst into “Siman
Tov Mazel Tov,” which is usually reserved for aufrufs [the Shabbat preceding
a wedding], bar/bat mitzvahs, and the like. After Joe’s aliyah, the gabbai
said a mishaberach (prayer for welfare) for Al Gore. After torah reading Rabbi
Barry Freundel gave a short address on “Hilchot [Jewish laws of ]Vice President,”
believed to be the first in history.
The major points were that security demands might in the future require a metal
detector at the shul; the walk through kind would not be permissible, but the
agent-held devices would not violate Shabbat and one could, and should, comply.
Also, no interviews with the media were to be given on Shabbat.
In perhaps the first appearance in place of her husband, Hadassah was roped
into the haftorah-kiddush club [an unofficial break for cake and drinks while
services continue], which the Senator has traditionally attended. The secret
service no doubt has even greater appreciation for Orthodox Judaism after seeing
that 11 a.m. shots of single malt scotch are part of the observance.
The best l’chaim was “Next year in the White House.” Hadassah
said they have not yet thought about whether they would, if elected, build a
sukkah at the Naval Observatory, which is the vice president’s home.
The Rabbi’s sermon was based on a verse in VaEtchanan that states that
following God’s commandments will give one wisdom that will be respected
by the other nations of the world. The Rabbi noted that Senator Lieberman is
an embodiment of the fulfillment of that verse.
Later, the president of the synagogue, Baruch Fellner, spoke very poignantly.
Noting that the District of Columbia has very few electoral votes, Baruch said
how we, as a community, are touched that the Shabbat after his being selected,
Senator Lieberman was at Kesher Israel; and on behalf of the synagogue, welcomed
him, Hadassah and Hani home.
Jack Guggenheim attends Kesher Israel every Shabbat.
