President Berman Delivers Opening Blessing at the Senate

YU President Ari Berman delivered the opening prayer before the United States Senate on Wednesday, Sep. 10, after receiving an invitation from Sen. John Fetterman (D. Pennsylvania).

“O mighty G-d bless, our chosen leaders, these devoted senators, with values and vision to guide America towards its purpose, born in liberty, driven by service, called to greatness … Guide us, Lord, with the clarity to hear your call and the courage to live our answer,” Berman recited following an introduction by President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Chuck Grassley. 

“As with King David of old, renew within our senators the heart and spirit to unite our nation to rise to this moment to seize this great awakening so that we can reach our most noble selves,” Berman said. “May this upcoming Jewish New Year bring prosperity to our neighbors and our nation, peace to Israel, and to all places torn by war, freedom for the hostages and all who are held in captivity. May we each know the feeling of your love and your blessing.” 

“May this be thy will and let us say, Amen,” he added.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R. North Carolina), addressed the Senate after Berman’s blessing: 

“Rabbi Berman … is a global faith leader, distinguished scholar and educational visionary who is shaping contemporary discourse at the intersection of faith, ethics and higher education,” Graham said. “As the 5th president of Yeshiva University, he has redefined the role of faith-based universities in the US … Yeshiva University, for more than a century, has been contributing to the common good; Advancing the goals of faith with purpose.” 

“It is one of the flagship universities of the entire world for the Jewish faith,” Graham added. 

This marks the second time Rabbi Berman has addressed the nation from the Capitol this year. On Jan. 20, he spoke at the 60th Presidential Inauguration of Donald J. Trump, where he asked God to “...guide our schools and college campuses, which have been experiencing such unrest, to inspire the next generation to pair progress with purpose, knowledge with wisdom, and truth with virtue.” 

Sen. Fetterman spoke at Yeshiva University’s commencement in May 2024 after being awarded the Presidential Medallion — the institution’s highest honor for global leadership — for his pro-Israel advocacy in the Senate.

“As both a rabbi and an educator, it is a profound honor to offer a prayer in the Senate at this moment of national reckoning,” Berman told YUNews. “We are witnessing students around the country turning away from hate and antisemitism towards universities and institutions that cultivate values and enable them to find purpose.” 

“My blessing will call on our senators to act with courage, humility, and grace in uniting our nation to rise to this great awakening and guide America towards fulfilling its purpose,” he said.

“President Berman speaking before the Senate made an enormous kiddush Hashem, and serves as an inspiration to all of us.” Yishai Gross (YC ‘28) told The Commentator. “He spoke passionately about the importance of having purpose, which I found deeply meaningful and inspiring.” 

Photo Caption: The Capitol

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons