This past Tuesday, June 3, 2008 I experienced one of the most exhilarating moments of my life. Thanks to the friendship and generosity of Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, one of our Temple Beth Sholom’s most prominent members, I was invited to deliver The Opening Prayer at The U.S. House of Representatives.

For the past 10 years, Shelley has been a close personal friend and I have always been inspired by her leadership, commitment and vision. It is hard to put into words what it meant to me to have been able to deliver the Opening Prayer at Congress and to share the same floor with Shelley. I am grateful for the way she expressed herself about me right there on the house floor after I finished the prayer and we were led in the Pledge of Allegiance by her.

Becoming an American Citizen has been one of the most important things that I have ever done. People asked me what went through my mind when I was standing right there on the floor; I couldn’t stop thinking about the millions of people who put their lives at risk every year hoping to be able to become a part of this great nation! I couldn’t stop thinking about our troops in a far away land and the price that we pay to make sure we remain a free and sovereign nation! I couldn’t stop thinking of what it means for Israel to have a friend among the nations of the world such as The United States of America.

I truly thanked God for that very special moment. If my parents could have seen it, what would they have thought? I am proud to be an American. I have been proud from day one, and I will always be. May God bless this great country with peace, strength, justice and freedom.

© Rabbi Felipe Goodman, all rights reserved.

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