Dear Friends, Shalom! It is with joy that I come here, just a few hours before
the celebration of your Pesah, to express my respect and esteem for the Jewish
community in New York City. The proximity of this place of worship to my residence
gives me the opportunity to greet some of you today. I find it moving to recall that
Jesus, as a young boy, heard the words of Scripture and prayed in a place such as
this. I thank Rabbi Schneier for his words of welcome and I particularly appreciate
your kind gift, the spring flowers and the lovely song that the children sang for
me. I know that the Jewish community make a valuable contribution to the life of
the city, and I encourage all of you to continue building bridges of friendship with
all the many different ethnic and religious groups present in your neighborhood.
I assure you most especially of my closeness at this time, as you prepare to celebrate
the great deeds of the Almighty, and to sing the praises of Him who has worked such
wonders for his people. I would ask those of you who are present to pass on my greetings
and good wishes to all the members of the Jewish community. Blessed be the name of
the Lord!