Staff Writer
As the chaplain to the Republican National Convention in New York City last summer, Carlebach established several contacts within the government, specifically the White House liaison to the Jewish community. He was e-mailed a few days before the National Day of Prayer this year asking him to join a few dozen representatives from various religions to reflect upon the importance of prayer regardless of faith, religion or background.
"As turmoil in the Middle East, conflict over domestic issues and continued fears over national security swirl around us, we need to raise our hearts and minds to prayer. I am humbled by this choice and I can only hope and pray that I will be a fitting representative for this critically needed occasion," he said. "Being a young rabbi, and a rabbi in South Brunswick it is really great to be a part of this."
Carlebach left New Jersey around 4 a.m. that Thursday and arrived in Washington for the 8:30 a.m. breakfast reception. Afterwards, various religious leaders and President George W. Bush spoke for two hours about maintaining a relationship with a higher being.
"The president really stressed it is a day of prayer for everyone. What stuck in my head is whether people believe they are praying to God or not, it should be a time of reflection for everyone. There are times in our lives when we inadvertently say, 'Oh my God’ and somehow we turn to God in good times and bad times. The National Day of Prayer reminds us to take a break out of our daily lives and pray to him," he said.
Carlebach was able to personally meet Bush, along with Michael Chertoff, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and Donald Rumsfeld, the Secretary of Defense.
"It was a privilege and honor to meet [Bush]. No matter what your political views are or what your personal views of the president are, it really doesn't matter because this person holds such an office that demands a certain amount of respect no matter what they do," he said. "When I met him I felt honored."
He was also one of three Chabad rabbis representing the Jewish faith and sat next to the director of Veteran Affairs, who is a Jewish man himself.
"We talked about a faith-based initiative he's trying to start in the Veteran Affairs department," the rabbi said. "We may actually get to work together."
Although Carlebach believes in the separation of church and state, he said he understands the importance of overlooking the separate entities and instead coming together as one world to include everyone seeking solace in prayer. He said he also appreciates the efforts of atheists and agnostics who participate in events such as donating blood instead of praying on such a day.
"That's great. It prompts people to do good in their own way. I only think good can come out of this," he said.
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