By COLlive reporter
The Governor of Arizona Doug Ducey signed on Tuesday legislation ensuring that the state’s children have time at the beginning of each school day to take a moment of silence.
The Governor was joined by House Speaker Rusty Bowers and Representative Alma Hernandez of Tucson, who sponsored House Bill 2707, as well as Chabad Shluchim and community leaders from across the state.
“As we’re working to get Arizona kids refocused in the classroom, we should also work to get them refocused emotionally,” the governor said at the ceremony held at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix.
“That’s exactly what H.B. 2707 does, ensuring all schools set aside time every day for students to engage in a moment of silence,” he said. “This gives our kids the opportunity to take time to remember, reflect, meditate, pray, prepare for the day ahead or anything they—and their parents—choose.”
The legislation requires all public and charter schools to provide students the opportunity to take a moment of silence at the beginning of each school day. This one to two minutes can be used for contemplation in a manner determined by the student and their parents.
“I was proud to work with fellow Arizonans and my colleagues at the legislature on H.B. 2707,” said Hernandez, a Democratic member of the Arizona House of Representatives for the 3rd district.
“Giving students a moment every school day to pray, gather their thoughts, reflect or anything they choose to do will help them focus and strengthen their mental and emotional health,” she said.
She added, “Thank you to the members of the Jewish community who advocated for this legislation, everyone who played a role in getting it passed by the legislature, and to Governor Ducey for signing it into law.”
The signing of the bill was timed for Tuesday, the 120th birthday of the Rebbe. The day was also proclaimed by the governor as Education and Sharing Day in Arizona.
In a press release, the governor’s office wrote that the Rebbe was “an influential figure of the Jewish community who called for a moment of silence in schools at the beginning of every day shortly after the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan. H.B. 2027 was inspired by Rabbi Schneerson and his legacy.”
Joining the governor were Rabbi Zalman and Tzipi Levertov who were sent by the Rebbe as his Shluchim in 1977 to establish Chabad of Arizona. The state boasts today 38 Chabad Rabbi and Rebbetzin families. Among those attending were Shluchim from Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler, Goodyear, Mesa, Tucson and Sedona.
“We are excited to fulfill this vision of the Rebbe to institute a Moment of Silence in schools,” Rabbi Levertov said. “When the Rebbe first called to utilize this opportunity, the youth at the time faced many challenges. The youth today face even more challenges. We hope this bill and what it allows will be a positive step in the right direction.”
Governor Ducey this year has taken action to support kids and strengthen their education inside and outside of the classroom, his office stated.
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This is phenomenal, on the Rebbe’s bday to have this happen, truly a sign that the Rebbe is still with us!