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Making history as a first Governor to host a Chanukah ceremony, Texas Governor Mr. Rick Perry welcomed a large delegation of Shluchim to the capitol in the Governor’s "public reception room" outside of his private office. After head Shliach Rabbi Shimon Lazaroff introduced himself as "from Houston", the Gov responded "your the chief, right?"Rabbi Lazaroff gave him regards from Pres. Bush and Jerry Kane. He mentioned that Fred Zeidman is also a good friend.
Rabbi Mendel Block brought regards from Sen. Florance Schapiro (who facilitated to help make the meeting happen and is a member of Chabad of Plano). Rabbi Dovid Goldstein introduced himself as also coming from Houston and the lead
Jewish chaplain for Texas Dept. Of Criminal Justice and the state schools (for mentally challenged). The Gov thanked him for what he does.Rabbi Yossi Lazaroff (who was the last in the lineup) introduced himself as Chabad at Texas A&M, of which the Gov. is an alumnus and a member of the
corps. The Gov was got really excited and all the Shluchim applauded.He then began from those he missed, and when he saw Rabbi Zev Johnson, wearing a UT color tie, he immediately said you must be from the Univ. of Texas! Ah you guys (Yossi and Zev) are on two ends of the line.... (laughter)
Rabbi Shimon Lazaroff then
addressed the governor. Telling him that the Shluchim present representing the sixteen branches and 24 Rabbis in Texas, named each city again while going around the circle, and when reaching A&M the Gov gave the traditional aggie thumbs up. Lazaroff continued that Chanukah is about freedom of expression and America allows us to follow a faith each one desires. He thanked the governor for recently
passing the "religious viewpoint anti-discrimination act" for religious expression in our public schools and for advocating for the moment of silence, something our Rebbe, our spiritual international leader, of blessed memory strongly felt about. And as you said many times America, is about freedom of religion not freedom from religion. We also appreciate your advocating for school choice. Allowing school tax payers to choose the choice of schooling for their children.
Rabbi Lazaroff concluded that Chanukah and the menorah is also about religious freedom to which we share its light with others. We therefore present you with this menorah which reads presented to Governor Rick Perry, Chanukah (of the Jewish year) 5768 (to the creation of the world) Dec 11 2007 Chabad Lubavitch of Texas.
Rabbi Lazer Lazaroff lit the menorah, the shluchim sang Haneiros Halalu with an upbeat al nisecha and clapping at the end to which the Gov. joined.Gov. Perry then spoke. He said (transcribed from recording): "Rabbi, thank you. And to each of you, thank you. Thank you for your love of G-d, your love of Israel, your love of our country and your love of our state. It is an honor for me to publicly stand with you as we profess our faith, appropriately and publicly, in this building. I am grateful for your public service, as well as your faith and long may they both live. G-d bless you." [Applause]
He told the Shluchim that he is coming from a visit to Jerusalem, it is an awesome place I have pictures to show you. "Can I ask y'all to come in my office for just a moment? I want to show you something on my computer”.
The Shluchim all followed him into his private office. He had his laptop on his desk with an entire album of pictures from a recent trip to Israel. He had some great shots he took of the Kosel and Yerushalayim. He had the excavations and a picture by the stone in the tunnel tour with the water coming out where he said now that spot is really something.
He was excited to see Rabbi Yossi Lazaroff again and took another picture with him in front of a display with his boots from when he was in the Texas A&M corps. and a portrait of Lawrence Sullican Ross, the 19th Governor of Texas and president of A&M during the 1890s.
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