Rahm Emanuel Jewel Of Elul: Seek The Light

Editor's note: There is a great Jewish tradition to dedicate the 29 days in the month of Elul to study and prepare for the coming high holy days. The time is supposed to challenge us to use each day as an opportunity for growth and discovery. On each of the 29 days of Elul, performer Craig Taubman posts a "jewel," or story, from some of today's most celebrated visionaries. Past contributors include President Barack Obama, Desmond Tutu, Sarah Lefton, Eli Wiesel, Deepak Chopra, Ruth Messinger and Lady Gaga, among many others. Today's reflection comes from Rahm Emanuel.

From the time I was a child, my parents insisted that our family had a responsibility to make life better for those around us. Whether I was following my father on his medical rounds, marching with my mother for civil rights, or working as a counselor in a camp for kids with special needs, there has never been a time when I haven’t been trying to “seek the light” of a better world.

I have had the privilege to serve two Presidents of the United States and to represent the 5th District of Illinois in the United States Congress. Now the people of Chicago have entrusted me with the responsibilities of Mayor.

My goal has been the same wherever I have served: to create a safe and meaningful place for the next generation. Every child has the right to safe streets, a secure home life and a quality education. Anyone in public service -– anywhere in the world -- must approach the task of seeking light by doing his or her utmost to secure those rights.

I serve all of the people of Chicago, and I take special pleasure in the ways each community shines its own light. Shabbat dinner with my family helps to remind me that my public service finds its roots in the lights that shine on our table.

Rahm Emanuel is the current Mayor of Chicago and the former White House Chief of Staff to President Barack Obama.

Comments

[Marian Norton]

10:03 PM on 09/19/2011

Great post.

[Mamoun Mawanees]

03:53 PM on 09/18/2011

www.veteranstoday.com/.../rahm-emanuel’s-father-specialized-i...

[Mamoun Mawanees]

03:38 PM on 09/18/2011

From the time I was a child, my parents insisted that our family had a responsibility to make life better for those around us.
What a joke.

http://www.davidicke.com/headlines/43573-terrorist-father-of-obama-handler-rahm-emanuel-had-his-wikipedia-entry-deleted-when-his-son-became-white-house-chief-of-staff

[ClintBMD]

11:12 AM on 09/18/2011

His last paragraph was omitted. It read:

And if you don't agree with me, then @##@ you!

[Hallywood]

07:34 AM on 09/18/2011

La Shana Tova!!!

[AbrahamMcLemore]

07:07 PM on 09/17/2011

Kind of odd finding the dirt mouthed Rahm on the Religion page.

[LynneE]

10:17 PM on 09/17/2011

Typical religious hypocrisy.

[AbrahamMcLemore]

06:27 PM on 09/18/2011

Have we met?
Do you know how I speak?

[Allan Richter]

05:39 PM on 09/17/2011

The table on which are set the white loaves of Sabbath bread and the burning candles recall the Holly Temple with its menorah and its shew bread. This is a very powerful symbol of Zion. Does the author who left Zion to become an American politician pray with the congregation of Israel?

“May the All-Merciful Father in his tremendous mercies consider with compassion the holy congregations who submitted their souls for the sanctification of the Divine Name, they who were beloved and pleasant in their life, and in their death were not divided, they were lighter than eagle, they were stronger than lions, to fulfill the will of their Creator and the wish of their Stronghold. Sing out, peoples, of His nation, for He avenges the blood of His Servant (Israel). He will direct vengeance to His opponents, and appease His land through His nation.”

[larry cifuentes]

10:59 AM on 09/17/2011

... … " " "my parents insisted that our family had a responsibility to make life better for those around us." " "
Isn’t this, man's commonest primordial excuse, at setting up regimental societies?

“As it is impossible for a thick rope to pass through a threading needle, so also it is for all richly opinionated good willers, to self-realize the actual divine love.” Matthew 19:24

[Sandworm Wrangler]

09:47 PM on 09/17/2011

" "my parents insisted that our family had a responsibi­lity to make life better for those around us." "
'Isn’t this, man's commonest primordial excuse, at setting up regimental societies?'

The short answer is No. The commonest primordial excuse for setting up regimental societies is the invocation of FEAR in the form of racism, religious bigotry, sexual intolerance and xenophobia. Tikkun Olam which Mayor Emanuel's quote refers to is about healing the world. The Civil Rights movement is a good example of that. That movement actually broke-up a regimented Southern society which denied many of its citizens the right to marry vote, do business, or mingle with other races based solely on the color of their skin.

[Matoka]

07:14 AM on 09/17/2011

Kol ha'kavod Lo! ----- All the best to him!

[methodman]

01:25 AM on 09/17/2011

Rahm Emanuelle eventually you need to do a series of economic natural philosphy by number and expressing numbers in percentages as a philosphy. of economic variations. Like Polarization to me is like a series of percentages in the same direction. What would this be in the Jewish Zone Like 15 % gray or 25% gray or 50% gray. I would call that polarization but if it is not what is it. Please give the answers to Reporters so they can be more accurate. There is so much written interesting material between 1920 and 1957 that is in libraries but not out in the synagogues or Religious Churches which I banned myself from being involved in.

[jemcomoss]

02:48 PM on 09/17/2011

You seriously need to seek help. The above is a nonsensical rant which makes sense to no one but you.

[Sandworm Wrangler]

09:53 PM on 09/17/2011

This is 100 percent creepy. I get your drift though.

[chasealvins]

01:23 AM on 09/17/2011

Like the molecules in my hand, like all the planets, around every star, in every galaxy... we all go together. And, depend on one another. That would seem like the simplest possible logic, one could abide by. But, of course, there is yin...

[the griff]

01:02 AM on 09/17/2011

Now I believe!!!! A disciple of the great messiah.

[47th]

11:51 PM on 09/16/2011

Emanuel, the architect of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which has cost this Country millions of manufacturing jobs! Hey Rahm, did tour parents teach you that?

[cadawa]

10:09 PM on 09/16/2011

Chicago has gone from being the stockyards of the nation to being the second largest financial center of the nation. The banks got their mayor and people of Chicago will get a whole plateful of sorrow. They will deeply regret electing this man before the year is out.

[Sandworm Wrangler]

10:02 PM on 09/17/2011

"They will deeply regret electing this man before the year is out. "

Do you mean the year 2011 which ends in December or the year 5771, which only has a little over a week left to go?

[Stephen Stafford]

08:51 PM on 09/16/2011

Thank you for the inspiring piece. I like the way you personally related your public service to formative experiences in your life with your parents. Continue to let your light shine through service inspired by those words held close to your heart.