Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
INVOCATION
Invocation by Joseph Potasnik, Rabbi and Executive Vice President, New York Board of Rabbis
0:09:51
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153 sec
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik delivered the invocation, offering a message centered on the distinction between being "united" and "untied" based on the focus on "we" versus "I."
- He emphasized that unity of spirit and diversity of thought must coexist in the city
- He called for an end to the "disease of hatred" and religious intolerance
- The Rabbi offered a blessing for the Council members' leadership and service to the human family
Joseph Potasnik
0:09:51
Thank you.
0:09:52
I'm humbled by the applause.
0:10:03
Council member Menon reminded me of an old religious proverb which states, blessed are those who speak briefly for they shall be invited back.
0:10:11
Thank you very much for the reminder.
0:10:16
On this special day in our city, let us walk away remembering two words, united and untied.
0:10:25
Interestingly, both are spelled with the exact same letters.
0:10:29
The only difference is where you place the letter I.
0:10:33
If a person only speaks of I rather than we, a relationship becomes untied.
0:10:39
But where the we takes precedence over the I, that relationship can remain united.
0:10:47
We teach our children that in mathematics, one and one equals two.
0:10:52
We have to show our children that in human relationships, one and one can also equal one.
0:10:59
We all share members of the human family in our DNA.
0:11:07
We all have to teach them that unity of spirit and diversity of thought can walk hand in hand.
0:11:17
Interestingly, in medical terms, the word menin is a protein that suppresses disease.
0:11:27
We need more menin to stop the spread of this disease of hatred of the other, whoever the other may be.
0:11:39
As cardinal Dolan said to me recently, antisemitism is anti Christianity is anti Islam, and you can reverse that equation any way you want.
0:11:52
So council member Menon, keep in mind that a leader is one who knows the way, who shows the way, and who goes the way.
0:12:05
All of us here will go on that way together, different and the same, one and one equaling two and equaling one.
0:12:17
May you members of the city council be blessed for who you are and be blessed for what you do.
0:12:24
Amen.