By COLlive reporter
Governor of the State of New York David Paterson and the New York State Assembly and Senate proclaimed “107 Days of Education” in the State in honor of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Paterson personally presented the proclamation at a reception in his office to Rabbi Shmuel Butman, Director of Lubavitch Youth Organization and Rabbi Yisroel Rubin, Head Shliach in Albany and vicinity.
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said that it was a personal honor and privilege for him to be the chairman of the celebration in honor of the Rebbe.
Rabbi Butman noted that when the Rebbe speaks about education he talks about the education of all children regardless of race, religion, color or creed.
“The Rebbe emphasized that the children should be taught that ‘The world is not a jungle’ and that there is ‘An eye that sees and an ear that hears,'” Rabbi Butman said.
While presenting his Proclamation the Governor said, “I have a personal admiration for the Rebbe and the Lubavitch movement” and said that he used to welcome the Lubavitch delegation every year from the floor of the New York State senate.
Rabbi Rubin spoke about the scope of the Rebbe’s activities to reach the entire spectrum of the Jewish Community. Rubin also spoke of the specialty of this year being the Year of Hakhel.
In accordance with the directive of the Rebbe to Rabbi Butman in 1991 when he opened the United States Senate in Washington, “Take a Pushka (charity box) with you and let everyone see what you are doing and let them know on what money should be spent,” he brought a Pushka to Albany.
Rabbi Butman gave Tzedaka and asked the Governor and the speaker to participate by putting a one dollar bill in the Pushka. The Governor and the Speaker were glad to do so and thanked for the opportunity.
the governor finally gets it right!