That Show With Michael Rakosi

Monday, was an unusual and special day. My friend Rabbi Robert Levine of Rodeph Sholom was being honored as man of the year, or because it is Naral, person of the year for his endless support of Women’s productive rights. The event was held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Time-Warner Center on Columbus Circle. I was seated with Rabbi David Ellenson, President of Hebrew Union College and the Jewish Institue of Religion, his wife, Rabbi Jacqueline Koch Ellenson, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Executive Vice-President of the New York Board of Rabbis, Cantor Rebecca Garfein, Rabbi Lisa Grushcow and Dr. Reverend James A. Forbes Jr. of Riverside Church. So it was me, four Rabbis, a Reverend and a Cantor. “One of these things is not like the other, one of these things doesn’t belong.” Let me give you an idea; the devil was about to join me at my table, saw who I was sitting with, and fainted. So much for a good time, though the clergy can certainly tell a great story.

The luncheon was filled with many politicos and other stars in the celebrity firmament. Mayor Bloomberg spoke first and said that he had met Rabbi Levine in the men’s room, now first of all Robert spends a lot of time in the men’s room, (no perversion implied), and as far as I am concerned, the Republicans are not the only ones who can spend their time meeting and greeting in the men’s room, the Democrats can also. He spoke of N.Y. defense of women’s health care rights and the funding thereof. Sen Kirsten Gillibrand spoke next and said she met one of the other leaders in the ladies room, being that women had the same rights as men and laugher ensued.

Those who knew, spoke of and asked questions about, www.thatshowwithmichaelrakosi.com and the forthcoming episodes and which of the cast members they like and felt was memorable. I was taken happily aback by what people remembered, and how much they cared.

Isaac Mizrahi the famed designer was next and was funny and charming, (I hate when others are funny). He was rousing and full of “piss and vinegar” and raised much more money for Naral with his speech. He and I were the only men there who were not wearing a tie. He was not, as claimed, wearing a giant Target t-shirt underneath his leisure suit. In any case, he was excellent.

After a number of speeches by the leaders of Naral, came Tina Brown, editor, literati, and all around famous person, who spoke brilliantly, expanding the issue of women and their rights all around the world. She seems to have intimate knowledge and inside “poop” of the great and the near great. In a hard spot, without her regular audience, she was brilliant. I congratulated her after the speech and she was both beautiful and gracious. We spoke for a moment about how her mother was almost Maureen O’Hara, and she was startled that anyone knew that. She is in charge of www.theDailyBeast.com and I have read it since Monday. It is both cutting edge and informative, but after all, what else would you expect from “The Master”. She asked who I was, and I gave her a card from the show. I hope her phone calls cease.

Robert Levine was up next and though I have seen him speak many times before , he was beyond masterful. The “right wing” of our country has never encountered such a brilliant, thoughtful attack on their opposition to the rights of women and their unborn fetus. He quoted scripture and pointed out the bible’s only mention of abortion. He kept a powerful and intellectual subject moving with different tempos and references both personal and philosophical. Without his natural humor, (and Robert is funny, I hate to say that), he kept us enthralled at his thoughtfulness and powerful oratory. He truly was second to none.

Did I mention that I gave out a lot cards for www.thatshowwithmichaelrakosi.com and that people promised to watch? I hope you all enjoy the incredible story of Christopher Borg beginning Thursday, and then will watch all of the other 6 episodes over again.