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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThis is a truly *beautiful* story about Joe Biden and a special woman named Mrs. Greenhouse
Found on Facebook:
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 the 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 this year this is the kind of story that matters.
Joe Biden is a mensch. We need a mensch.
Thanks for reading.
Rabbi Michael Beals of Delaware
https://www.facebook.com/apterthoughts/posts/3106308552760757
elleng
(131,095 posts)I've seen it many times.
He is a real mensch.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,695 posts)Would that all our government employees had such a heart.
We need Joe, a true mensch.
Pachamama
(16,887 posts)That is what we all need
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,895 posts)What an incredible story.
At the beginning of it, I was struck by the notion that the apartment was so small it could not hold ten adults.
And then Joe Biden walked into the room. And told his story of why he was there.
I am speechless. This is a man of honor and integrity. And this story underscores that honor and integrity better than any other story ever about him. It needs to be disseminated far and wide.
I know, the ones who simply hate all Democrats won't be moved, but there will be at least some on the cusp who will be moved.
I am going to post this story on my FB page.
Delarage
(2,186 posts)He does stuff like that all the time. Like he follows up with stutterers to help them (which I wasn't aware of until the 13 year old shared his story at the convention). There is ZERO chance that anyone will have any story similar about 45. Hershel Walker's was probably the best anyone could unearth, and even it wasn't that great.
Gothmog
(145,553 posts)Joe is a good person