I looked all around, there’s nothing but blue skies (that’s a commentary on the weather, not necessarily because it’s President Murry’s last full meeting...) as 27 Lexington Rotarians, 2 visiting Rotarians, and 3 other guests partook in a nice luncheon buffet of chicken, broccoli, and ziti, Caesar salad and sandwiches.  After President Murry opened the meeting, Steve K led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, Charlie V in the first verse of “America”, and guest and speaker Rabbi Howard Jaffe provided us with the invocation.

Our guests stood as the Lexington Rotarians welcomed them in song.  Well, most of them stood, one visiting Rotarian was eating and I’m not sure she knew what was going on.

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  Photo credit Meaghan Murphy

Another one of our guests, Dr. Ali Akhtar exchanged a cloth as is tradition in his home country of Pakistan in exchange for our club banner.

Fines and Happy Dollars flowed freely.  2nd VP Elect Dom S paid $21 Happy Dollars for his daughter turning 21.  This put a bright smile on PP Dan B’s face as he added $10 for this news.  Pres Murry and PP Dan O had what I’m assuming (hoping) was a business conference in Philadelphia for which they both contributed.

Bob C, PP Doug H, and PP Nick also donated Happy Dollars.

Raffle gifts were generously donated by ARLEX Oil, Busa Wine & Spirits, Encharter Insurance, Lexington Ace Hardware, Sperry Van Ness, and Vail Studios.

If anyone wishes to attend the District Induction Ceremonies, please let PE Dave Sears know as soon as possible.  It is at the Danversport Yacht Club.

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President Murry introduced our speaker, Rabbi Howard Jaffe of the Temple Israel here in Lexington.  Rabbi Jaffe started off his talk with a $20 donation to the club for being allowed to speak at Murry’s last meeting.  The rabbi spoke about his dedication to promoting Judaism as well as working with the interfaith group here in Lexington.  Lexington has one of the strongest interfaith groups.  They meet once a month rotating to the different places of worship in town.  They talk about the similarities in their religions and how to overcome obstacles that they all face.  During the 300th anniversary of Lexington, they will all be having open houses with shuttle buses for those that want to tour them.  Rabbi Jaffe spoke about the difference between belief (what we say we understand) and faith (how we live our lives; the risks we are willing to take) and was impressed by our commitment to Rotary and how we incorporate both the belief that we can make a difference and the faith that we will.  He also spoke of the Buddhist idea that all religions aspire to make the world a better place; all true religions are different paths to some infinitely high mountain top.  We are fooling ourselves if we state that our way is the only way.

 

The 50/50 was won by Steve K.  See everyone next week for the Induction Luncheon!