CHANUKAH WITH
GOVERNOR & MRS. OTTER
On Monday, December 10, 2007, Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel & Esther Lifshitz, met with Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter and his wife, First Lady Lori Otter in honor of Chanukah.
The couples spent over half an hour together in the Governor’s office and discussed the message of Chanukah and the relationship between the governor and the Jewish community.
Two years ago, then-Congressman C.L. “Butch” Otter was the guest of honor at the giant Menorah Lighting Ceremony in Boise. This year Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Idaho Dan Eismann was the guest of honor.
When Rabbi & Mrs. Lifshitz presented a silver menorah to the Governor and his wife, the governor remarked that he had remembered the significance of the Shamash – servant candle – and that in a sense it represents the public servant. He remarked that he enjoyed very much the opportunity to light the Shamash at the lighting a couple years back.
The conversation also touched upon the welcoming embrace that the wider Idaho community has had toward Jewish people – today and historically. Remarkably, Idaho elected the first Jewish governor of any state in the USA (Moses Alexander, 1915-1919).
Rabbi Lifshitz explained that Idaho Senator William Borah, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee at the time, was influential in securing the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe’s safe passage from Europe to America. Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn reached the safe shores of America in 1940.
Governor Otter noted that the meeting was held in the Borah Building, due to construction at the State Capitol Building.
The governor thanked Rabbi & Mrs. Lifshitz for their work for the community.
Segments of the conversation were aired on 670 KBOI AM Radio.
