[link removed] [[link removed]]
Brad,

Thanks for the lovely birthday message!

Really, it would have been fine if you had just shared it with your mom and me — rather than with thousands of strangers on your email list. (But they are very welcome to join our weekly Zoom, always room for more mindfulness and compassion).

I mean, what dad wouldn’t be proud to have his 80th birthday used as a fundraising opportunity [[link removed]] by his son?!

🤔(Does this sort of thing really work? Maybe we should put in one more contribution link [[link removed]] ).

Thanks again for the birthday wishes, and glad you’ll be here for Rosh Hashanah dinner and services. Here’s to a sweeter, more peaceful year.

L’shana Tova!

Dad

P.S. I do know how “reply all” works. And I’m guessing the people on your email list know what’s going on here, too ;-)

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brad Lander
Date: Wed, Oct 2, 2024
Subject: Happy 80th Birthday, Dad!

Dear John,

Today is a very special day: It’s my Dad’s 80th Birthday! So I’m on my way to St. Louis to celebrate, and to spend Rosh Hashanah with him, my mom, and our family there. And I’m grateful for the chance to tell you a little about him.

[link removed] [[link removed]]

Marek, Dad, and Rosa <3

Being David Lander’s son is, without any doubt, one of the most profound and anchoring blessings of my life. Honestly, my politics aren’t really more complicated than wanting every kid to have the sense of safety, grounding, support, and confidence in parents’ unconditional love that my sister Rachel and I received from him.

A few things I want to highlight: My Dad is the best listener I know. It’s a kind of listening that honors his closest family members, and people he’s just meeting for the first time. It meets you where you are, but also connects to something deeper. In a routine and yet profound way, it validates that you matter.

My Dad values without judging — something he has learned, or maybe honed, through his mindfulness meditation practice of the past 25 years — so he’s a great person to talk to when you have a tough decision to make.

He’s become a wonderful mindfulness teacher as well. His last few sessions were "Learning to Observe What Is on Your Mind,” “Approaching More of Life with Genuine Curiosity,” and “The Value of Gratitude.” Let me know if you want to join his weekly zoom classes (seriously)!

Oh yeah, and Dad had a pretty spectacular legal career as well. He spent 10 years as an attorney and director at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, where he created new programs to help prevent low-income people from having their utilities cut off and support poor seniors. He then worked for several decades representing farmers and family businesses and becoming one of the best bankruptcy lawyers in the Midwest. And he taught at St. Louis University Law School (on subjects including bankruptcy, Article 9 of the UCC, and the History, Impact, and Regulation of Consumer Credit).

His social justice work [[link removed]] expanded even more after he retired, volunteering at Legal Services’ housing and consumer units dealing with the issue of unlawful evictions, working on consumer credit, and so many more issues. Recently, he took the bold stand [[link removed]] of supporting workers at the Jewish Family Service of St. Louis to organize a union.

OK, so the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. But I couldn’t be happier about that :-)

And through all his compassion for others, he manages to make his family — and for-sure Meg, Marek, Rosa, my mom, and me — feel like we are simply the most valued people in the world.

May we come to live in a world where everyone has the measure of love and joy that I have the privilege of sharing with my dad.

Here’s to you, Dad!

— Brad

P.S. My mom is pretty great, too, as I wrote back in April [[link removed]] when she turned 80. If you’re thinking “Brad is one lucky kid,” you are right on the money.

And speaking of money, if you’re in a place to do so, can you make a contribution to my campaign right now? We only have five more days before we close the books on our CFB deadline. My parents would both be grateful if you did! [[link removed]]
Lander 2025
68 Jay Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
United States
[email protected] [[email protected]]
Paid for by Lander 2025
This email was sent to [email protected] . If you wish to no longer receive these messages, please unsubscribe. [[link removed]]