Welcome Back,
As an individual I would classify myself as a dreamer. As a dreamer I am constantly working towards my goals.
As an individual I would classify myself as an innovator. As an innovator I want to change the world one step at a time.
As an individual I would classify myself as unique. I enjoy being different from others; a diamond in the rough.
This week we saw dreams become a reality. In this blog I am not attempted to push any political opinion but more importantly push human integrity. As Jews within society we have faced years and years of oppression, anti-Semitism and hatred, but we also have experienced many joys that have allowed Jews and Judaism to survive as the longest standing religion of the world.
On Tuesday November 4th, we saw the nation elect an African American man to the White House. I acknowledge that within our society we have differing opinions. Some may be accepting of this change and others not so much. This dream though was not about Red or Blue (Republican or Democratic), but rather two more important colors; Black and White. On Tuesday, we put the true colors that really matter aside and we did this for one purpose. As individuals we are tired of dreaming about making America a better place and we are ready for that shot at reality.
On Wednesday November 5th, 2008 the day after the election we saw another dream come true. Barak Obama offered his chief of staff position to a bright Jewish individual by the name of Rahm Emanuel. 
A little Background on Rahm Emanuel:
Rahm is a democratic individual who has served as a representative in the house for the 5th district of his home state Illinois. Rahms represents the Jewish people in a favorable light. He was born in Chicago to a Jerusalem born father; Benjamin Emanuel who served as a member of the Irgun (a militant Zionist group who served against the British Mandate) and a Rock n’ Roll club owner mother, Martha Smulevitz. Rahm grew up highly connected to his roots as a Jew. He attended a Jewish Day School in Chicago for a portion of his elementary education and would attend Israel every summer with his two brothers and sister, visiting family and taking in the place that has ultimately made him who he is today.
Rahms family is of a unique caricature. His brother Ari Emanuel is one of the top talent agents in Los Angeles and the entertainment industry. Ari began his career working at I.C.M. and soon left with a few other employees to begin what is now called Endeavor Agency one of the top agencies in LA representing Sacha Baron Cohen, Larry David, and Mark Whalberg. Rahms other brother Ezekiel is a top oncologist and doctor and the youngest is his sister Shoshannah.
Representative Rahm is said to have been an inspiration for a character on West Wing and brother Ari is the inspiration of the character Ari Gold on the HBO series Entourage.
Ten years ago, who would have never imagined a black president and Jewish Chief of Staff in the White House. For these two men, dreams were not their stopping point but rather their beginning.
As we watch as the government switches over in the next few weeks, we are hopeful that the term acceptance is once again brought upon us. Everyone starts somewhere and with hard work; you too can make your dreams a reality.
This week though wasn’t about the dreams of only two individuals; it was about the dreams of a nation and making them a reality together.
The dream that one day despite your religion, despite the color of your skin, sexual orientation, or gender; we are all equal. If anything this week, remember that history was made, whatever the future holds; good or bad.
As Jews we need to be proud; sometimes it is those experiences, like traveling to Israel every summer, attending a Jewish Day School, meeting a life long friends or seeing a rock concert that shape whether those DREAMS become a REALITY.
Shabbat Shalom,
Dan Albert
Albertds@muohio.edu
Hillel Engagment Intern
miamihillel@gmail.com
