That's right. Park Slope's very own Rabbi Andy Bachman of Congregation Beth Elohim, was at the National Prayer Service in Washington the day after Inauguration Day. President Obama was there, too. Here's an excerpt from Andy's blog. Go on over, he's even got cell phone photos but the pix to the left is an AP photo. Rabbi Bachman is on the far left.
I exited my train from NYC at 7 am on Wednesday, into Union Station for a transfer to the Metro that would deliver me to the National Cathedral for President Obama’s National Prayer Service, a tradition dating back to George Washington’ inauguration.
It was such a deep honor to be present.
This ecumenical service was led by the National Cathedral clergy and had participation from leading Jews, Christians, Muslims and Hindus from all walks of life. The music was spectacular,
My favorite pieces:
Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common
Man,” played by the Brass Ensemble of the United States Marine Band;
the Cathedral Choir singing Douglas Major’s setting of the prophet
Isaiah’s words, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all
people,” (carved over the lintel of Beth Elohim here in Brooklyn, as
well); and Virgil Thomson’s “My shepherd will supply my need,” an
uncommonly beautiful American folk hymn that should be heard and known
by all patriots. Incredible.
I place into a separate category
Dr. Wintley Phipps’ “Amazing Grace.” I looked around at the other
clergy I was sitting with: all races, all creeds, and among the rabbis,
all denominations–and people were weeping at the very words and the
drama with which it was sung. It was as close to being an American
religious redemptive moment that I can think of.
I suddenly
remembered how President Obama had hearkened back to President
Washington in his Inaugural Address and reflecting on that rhetorical
gesture with African American members of our synagogue staff on
Tuesday, it became clear to all of us that our new President was
saying, “We are starting over as a country.”