A vision for the White House ballroom

By Claudia Gold

ALTADENA, California — We suspect that the White House ballroom will be erected. Such a size, and at what price? Yet our better angels will, in time, sing their way into our hearts. It won’t matter the room, but who is encouraged and loved in it. Our thoughts (and perhaps our votes) will help make it so.

Are not our teachings from the example of Abraham welcoming the three strangers, preparing curds, milk, and lamb for them, a poignant example? Yes, the three guests were angels. But what if everyone, for instance, you, were an angel inside? You, the one who cries when you hear of someone heroic or someone suffering. You, who may feel helpless at times about the soul-cracking news, as you day after day uplift yourself to be kind and helpful in challenging situations. Let’s visualize a room elegant from within, in which hearts and minds can be nurtured and inspired.

The first ballroom guests are the suffering people who have been penned in detention prisons.

Tonight, those previously unjustly detained smile, though in shock…as they enter the gates of the ballroom of the White House. They spot the large mosaic sign above the door of the hall with the familiar word “Bienvenidos, Welcome,” among greetings in multiple languages, including the Hebrew: “Baruch Habah” ברוך הבא, Blessed are those who come.” What an extraordinary invitation.

The chandeliers reflect on people of Brown and Black complexions. Such beautiful, deep brown and cordovan are seen. Joy sparkles in their eyes like fireflies flickering through the ballroom. A band plays tunes that harmonize inside the people from years of hearing and singing these familiar songs. Soft voices begin to hum, until words form and a song crests in unison, like one moon shining on many lands.

estors whisper hope in the ears. People rise to dance. Feet stomp out so much hate and derision, and welcome in so much grace tonight. Hands meet as feet step in sync, glide to the rhythms, minds still shocked that they are here, free.

The meal after music and dance, a buffet of native dishes, nourishes those so recently deprived of healthy, tasty food. An elderly man sits with his arm around his son Juan who has been released after eight months in detention. The father’s arm has no choice but to rub love and vitality back into his son.

Juan holds a baby bottle with milk and feeds little Gabriella, born while he was away. He wishes his wife was here. He fears he will never find her. She was deported to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Migrant and Family Services worker has told him his wife may be in a city called Kinshasa. He sobs. His father hands Gabriela to her Abuela, and walks with Juan down the hall where Juan can cry outside.

Tonight, though there is relief, restored hope and gratitude, there have been many losses.

After dinner, guides lead the guests to the newly opened Jacqueline Kennedy Garden and Rose Garden. As the Kennedys’ vision had anticipated, the green garden paths allow time for peace and reflection. Guests walk amidst the twinkling lights and rhythmic patter of the mosaic fountains. They are greeted by scents of lavender, sage, magnolia, jasmine, rose, and more.

Prayers of gratitude, heard by a Loving Essence and ancestors, echo invisibly through this garden from the kiss of freedom these former detainees have been blessed with. Prayers join memories of people still in detention. Daddy bounces Gabriela on his knees. He and Abuelo and Abuela, seated on a wooden bench, whisper prayers they have said since they were children. There have been miracles in their lives like Gabriella, and, God willing, there will be more.

This first ball will provide learning for the next ones planned. The over 50,000 people with no criminal records who have been released from detention will be invited throughout a five-year period. Others who have been dehumanized due to racism, prejudice, discrimination and condemnation will be welcomed as well.

Invitations for future healing and restoring gatherings in the ballroom will go out to people released from unfair jail and prison sentences, hungry children and their impoverished families, thousands who have lost benefits, been fired, or quit due to unjust circumstances, including scientists, aid workers, military leaders, artists and politicians.

Doors will be open to people of faith/spiritual/paths, women and men who have been sexually abused, encouraging teachers, truth-telling journalists and media hosts, bridge-building politicians, mediation and consultation experts, climate scientists, artists and peace activists. Representatives of everyday people, from every walk of life will be welcomed to the ballroom.

Though you may want to prepare what special outfit or suit you’ll wear if you are invited to a ball, your good angels will be needed in many other rooms and outdoor spaces.

You are the one who, in your inimitable way, will rush to greet “strangers”, as Abraham rushed to greet the three strangers in Mamre. You are the one who will bow, in your own way, as Abraham bowed to the strangers when they approached.

No, it will not be easy. Yet it will be simple. It may only take a moment, a minute, or more. You will need to be diligent to tend to balancing the high wire act of being a human and a soul amidst a million distractions.

Like the roses and magnolias in the new White House gardens, you are a leaf, a bud, a blossom that will refresh the atmosphere in preparation for the long-anticipated comeback of truthfulness.

You are one of those at this time in the world who are hearing the call of Tikun Olam, healing, and yes, repairing the world. Because “You know the feelings of a stranger, having yourselves been strangers in the land of Egypt,” Exodus 23:9.

In your heart and ancient DNA, you resonate with the words of Leviticus (19:33-34) “The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love him as yourself …”

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Claudia S. Gold, daughter of Dr. Rabbi Aaron Gold who served at Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego for 18 years, is working on an inspirational non-fiction book, and a compilation tentatively called “The Unity Ballroom: A Vision and a Prayer.”