Brian
Mono
Jewish Exponent staff
Former Mayor Ed Rendell has
kicked off his latest campaign with a taped phone message to
Jewish
households in Center City.
No, Ed’s not seeking volunteers to help him defeat Auditor General Bob
Casey Jr. in the
upcoming race for the Democratic nomination for governor.
He’s actually looking for people to attend High Holiday services at
Congregation B’nai
Abraham, a Lubavitch synagogue located near Sixth and
Lombard streets.
“This was a request that came into him from a friend in an effort to bring
a High Holiday
crowd,” David L. Cohen told the Jewish Exponent on behalf of
Rendell. “It was something
he was willing to do.”
In the audio message, Rendell reminds listeners that “Rosh Hashanah is
right around the
corner.”
“A beautiful historic synagogue in Center City, which I visited several
times in my tenure as
mayor, is presenting the ultimate service, even for
those of us who haven’t been to synagogue
in a while.
“It’s a traditional service, with lots of meaning and spirituality. No
matter what your
Jewish background or degree of observance, all Jews are
welcome. You don’t need a
reservation or ticket. The service is completely
free. There will be a delicious lunch buffet
afterwards.”
Rabbi Yochonon Goldman, religious leader of B’nai Abraham, said the idea of
asking Rendell
to help with the telemarketing campaign came during a
committee meeting.
“We were looking for a voice that people would recognize — and not just
hang up on,”
said Goldman.
He estimated that the phone message, along with a corresponding printed
invitation, has gone
out to a couple of thousand households.
Although the ex-mayor made the pitch, it’s not clear yet whether he will be
attending services
at B’nai Abraham himself. Goldman said he has not
received an RSVP.
According to Cohen, Rendell typically receives 25 or 30 invitations from
congregations for
the High Holidays. He has not yet decided what his
service schedule will be this fall, said
Cohen.
“The phone message is unusual,” Cohen acknowledged. “To the best of my
knowledge, this
is the first time he has done a message. It’s a shul that
is trying to build its membership and,
as a favor to a friend, it was
something he felt he could do appropriately.”
