Albany’s Jewish Stimulus

ALBANY, NY [CHI] — Just when New York State’s legislators are wishing that money grew on trees to cover the deficit, Chabad Rabbi Israel Rubin and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver led 200 legislators who munched dried fruits in honor of Tu Bishvat that celebrates trees. Serving fruits of Israel–dates, pomegranates, figs and carob too–is traditional, but Rabbi Rubin also added New York grown apples and sparkling Kosher concord grapes grown upstate.

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Rabbi Rubin began offering the Tu B’shvat spread in 1976, near the Assembly Chamber.

Rabbi Rubin commented: “Everyone is talking about Stimulus … Here we celebrate Tu Bishvat while all is frozen, the trees are bare, and there is no growth. It is now that the sap begins to flow within for the New Year. We are still in the dread of winter, but spring and hope are on the way. Tu B’Shvat teaches us how to weather the harsh climate, and be optimistic and hopeful that the sun will shine again.”

“We are here to serve the Jewish needs of everyone in Albany,” said Rabbi Rubin. “We are here for their personal growth.” As the rabbi with the longest tenure in Albany, lawmakers are comfortable turning to Rabbi Rubin for help. He has brought a minyan, an assembly of ten men, together for legislators who needed to say kaddish, the mourner’s prayer. Chabad of Albany can be counted upon to hang mezuzahs in offices and arrange for kosher food for visitors and lawmakers. Spending time in the Capitol has given Rabbi Rubin deep appreciation of the term “public servant.” When the Assembly is in session, work hours can extend into the wee hours of the morning. The legislators “work hard at arriving at a decision. Nothing is taken for granted; everything is analyzed. They put in a lot of hours trying their best for the good of New York State,” he said.

In recognition of Chabad’s year-round outreach to government workers and elected officials, Rabbi Rubin was selected to offer the invocation in both legislative houses on Tu B’shevat morning. Assemblyman John J. McEneny of the 104th Assembly district, which covers Albany County, made a presentation on the Assembly floor that was full of references to Rabbi Rubin’s Tu B’shevat messages in previous years. “It’s clear that they are listening,” said Rabbi Rubin. “When I meet people later on, they remember our parties.” And more than that, one legislator, a member of an environmental committee, circulated a memo that included one of Chabad’s Tu B’shevat messages whose environmental green theme was drawn from the Talmud.

Having a state capitol in his Chabad district doesn’t change Rabbi Rubin’s focus very much. “I serve their needs like I do any other part of our community,” he said, except that the people who nibble from his Tu B’shevat cake are the ones who help decide the fate of the entire New York State.