1. I got to hand it to VP Pence.

   I’m impressed but not surprised. He’s a real gentleman- not just a politically motivated politician.

   He’s the real deal.

   Thank you Mr Vice President.

2. Thank you Mike Pence, we are fortunate to have you as our Vice President, a real mentch!

3. In this cenmetery is buried one the great early American Gedolim – Rabbi Zechariah Joseph Rosenfeld ZL

   He was born in Turisk, in Russian Poland, in about 1846. He was educated there by his father, Rabbi Moses Gabriel Rosenfeld, earned his s’micha at age fifteen, and actually succeeded his father as rabbi of the Turisk shul. He came to American in 1890, served briefly in Baltimore, and in 1891 arrived in St. Louis. He was already forty-five years old, and he brought with him a rich background of Talmudic scholarship and rabbinic experience. He was engaged as rabbi of Sheerith Sfard Congregation, one of the preeminent shuls in the Ghetto, and remained there until he died in 1915.

   During Rosenfeld’s ministry in St. Louis, Jewish journals all over the country ranked him as one of the most learned Talmudic scholars in the United States. One, in fact, said his fame was as great in Europe as in America. In addition to the usual congregational ministrations of weddings, funerals and baby namings, Rosenfeld was a highly respected counselor and adviser to many St. Louisans, both Jews and non-Jews, in personal and business matters. The press featured him as more than respected; the community “venerated him for his piety and his wisdom.” “He lived the life of a just man, according to the letter and spirit of the Orthodox faith,” said the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, refusing even to being photographed lest it be a violation of the biblical proscription against a graven image.

   Rabbi Rosenfeld died at home on September 9, 1915, shortly after returning from services at Sheerith Sfard synagogue on the first day of Rosh Hashannah. Despite his desire for just a simple burial, the outpouring of mourners attests to how highly the entire St. Louis community regarded him. A funeral procession of more than two hundred automobiles started at Sheerith Sfard at Fifteenth and Wash and stopped at nine more synagogues en route through the city to Chesed She Emeth Cemetery. At least forty thousand mourners jammed those synagogues to pay their last respects. About thirty-five thousand people lined the streets, and some fifteen thousand thronged into the cemetery, creating logistical complications in the burial service itself. Catholic priests and Protestant ministers stood reverently there among those who attended, as also did St. Louis Mayor Henry Kiel. It was one of the largest crowds of mourners ever seen in St. Louis. Merchants of all faiths even closed their stores during the funeral as a sign of respect. It was indeed a fitting tribute to “the most pious Jew in St. Louis.”

4. Some people might not like this idea too much. But maybe we can exchange the vise President for the President. I wonder how many people will agree with me?

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