Adventures and Blessings

I like to teach that every moment can be a blessing.  I think regularly about the choices we make in daily life.  I love being a rabbi, AND some days can be very challenging.  Some challenges are great and some less so. Today was filled with beautiful challenges.  

I met with someone exploring Judaism, spoke to congregants going through different health challenges, had my picture taken with the other police chaplains.  After my own prayers this morning, my day found me at the city council meeting.  There I had the privilege of offering an invocation, opening their meeting with words of blessing.  With my hectic schedule, I usually bless and run, but this morning I stayed for a little while.  

I heard about the devotion of a city employee, Assistant Chief Antonio Gilliam, who has an incredible new opportunity. After eighteen years of service, he is leaving to go to his childhood town, serving as the Chief of Police of the city of Tallahassee.  It was a privilege and an honor to hear his story, to hear the beautiful words the council shared with him and to hear him speak.  He is a man who chose to serve the community, to work in a very difficult position, and who is a mentsch.  

Today could have been like any other crazy rabbinic day, but by taking a few extra minutes this morning, I heard a beautiful story.  There is definitely a lesson in that!  What are the odds that someone who served for 18 (chai/life) years in our community is honored on the day the rabbi gives the blessing?!  

Assistant chief Antonio Gilliam and me (Rabbi Weintraub)