February 29, 2024 • 24 mins
In this latest episode, we had the privilege of engaging in an enriching conversation with Lloyd Moore, the Deputy Director of Security at Congregation Rodeph Sholom. Lloyd shares his journey, from his early days as an NYPD officer to becoming a beacon of safety at CRS. Throughout the episode, Lloyd shares heartfelt stories, rooted in hard work and human connection, that paint a vivid picture of his lifelong quest to cultivate warmth and belonging in every space he enters.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (00:04):
The human story is the search for
belonging.
From childhood to adulthood, injoy and in struggle, we all sit
in questions of how to makesense of it all.
What is our place?
Why are we here?
What is our story of searching?
Join us in conversation withcommunity members each sharing
some of their own story.
(00:25):
I am Ben Spratt and this isbelonging.
So today I have the true honorof being in conversation with a
beloved friend and colleague.
Many know Lloyd Moore to be thesmiling face that has greeted
us walking in doors of theBritish Alarm for more than two
(00:47):
decades.
Those of you who don't know,his official title is Deputy
Director of Security and, for aperson who has dedicated his
career to making this asanctuary of safety and
belonging, we also know him tobe the person that most anchors
us, most warmly welcomes us intoa space that says this is home.
(01:07):
And, lloyd, it is a gift to bein conversation with you today,
my friend.
Lloyd Moore (01:11):
Thank you very much , Rabbi.
I feel very honored being hereto end your presence.
Thank you.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (01:19):
Of course.
So, lloyd, we would love tohear a bit about your own search
for belonging over anincredible life, and some of
that life we've had the blessingof enjoying.
Lloyd Moore (01:33):
But if you're willing to tell us a bit about
that search, oh, of course, Ifeel like my belonging has been
here at Rhode Island.
For the amount of time thatI've been here, I've had an
opportunity to meet a lot offamilies, a lot of kids who have
gone to our school, have gonebeyond, graduated from college
(01:55):
and their own professional life,and some of them have even
gotten married, and then I findthat this is a very warm place
to be a part of.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (02:05):
That was beautiful, lloyd, and I have to
say what I love is that somehowthose interactions, those
passing interactions, especiallyfor just a sense of connection,
not just in you but in them youremember names of people going
back decades and oftentimes ifone of us is struggling to
recall a name, you're the onewho can pull it up and I think
(02:26):
that shows a deeperunderstanding that you lift up,
which is that each interaction,each person is actually sacred
and important and for you youtreasure that and make the rest
of us feel that.
So if you're willing, lloyd, Iwould love to have you take us
on a little bit of journey ofyour story, because you do such
(02:47):
a good job asking the questionsabout our lives.
This is an opportunity for ourcongregation, our community, to
get to hear a bit of yours, ifyou're willing.
Lloyd Moore (02:55):
Okay, sure, well, to begin with I'm a Southern boy
from Alabama.
I was born there.
My mom and my dad met when theywere in college and somehow my
father had to go to the service.
He was in World War II.
I was born and my father wasaway overseas, and so I was
(03:18):
raised by my grandparents and mydad and my mom, and they taught
me a lot about value, hard work, and that's sort of like been
my mantra all my life and that'swhy I am who I am, I guess from
my upbringing.
I came to New York, I guessabout when I was around 20.
(03:39):
I was in college down inAlabama, of course, in a
Christian Methodist EpiscopalSchool, and then I gravitated to
New York City.
I went to Fordham Universityfor a while and then I ended up
graduating from John Jay Collegeof Criminal Justice in 1982.
And then I was in the policedepartment for approximately 20
(04:02):
years and I like the idea ofbeing around people serving,
which I did for 20 years.
All that came to sort of Ideveloped my character, I would
say.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (04:17):
So being an officer in the police force at a
time which was a very differentNew York City.
Lloyd Moore (04:23):
Yes.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (04:24):
I imagine you got to see both the worst of the
most difficult layers ofhumanity and also, I'm guessing,
some experiences with the bestof humanity and the courage.
How did you process all of thatas an officer?
Lloyd Moore (04:38):
That's a good question, Rabbi, because I came
on in February 1974 and New YorkCity was a totally different
place and of course I didn'thave the equipment that these
officers have today, such as avest, body cameras and all of
that.
So we had to sort of likeimprovise a lot of things.
You're a psychologist, you're apsychiatrist, you're a law
(05:02):
enforcement officer, you put itall together and then that's how
you were able to serve thecommunity and survive yourself.
So the department developed andgo for and I grew into the
department until it was time forme to leave.
I left there in 1994.
So I put approximately 20 yearsthere and afterwards I didn't
(05:23):
work for three years.
I stayed home.
I was raising my kid at home,which I wanted to do, until it
was time for us to move out andbuy a house somewhere.
So we bought a house in NorthCarolina and that's where we
reside to this day, and that'sit.
So far, so good.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (05:42):
So, lloyd, how did you hold on to a belief in
the goodness in people?
Lloyd Moore (05:48):
Oh, good question.
I can see the good and I cansee the bad and all things and,
believe me, I see nothing butgoodness.
When I come here in thesynagogue, here there's such a
warmness that I can't explain,and I sort of like get along
with everyone, especially alwaysstart like to start with the
(06:10):
children, because I'm more orless involved with the by
misfits here and in the school,and then that's how I got to I
don't know, know thegrandparents and know the uncles
, know the aunts and I have apretty good memory of names and
stuff like that.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (06:27):
So when you think about your parents and
growing up, and giving you thevalue of hard work, which we
certainly get to see and youlive out every single day.
So what do you think yourparents would make of you
working in a Jewish synagoguehere in New York City?
I mean, was this your parentsdream for you?
Lloyd Moore (06:46):
Oh well, actually I did tell my father this before
he passed away and he was verysupportive of me working here
because I was.
I would tell him that I metinteresting people like yourself
.
I remember you were a biblicalstudent here working in
religious school and so, but myparents have always been
supportive of whatever Ibelieved in.
(07:07):
Like I said, they gave me mystrength, they mold me the way I
am right now.
So I'm pretty sure they wouldbe very happy, whoever they are
right now, to know that I'mspeaking to Rabbi Rabbi Spratt,
who's a biblical student that Iknew, that became a senior rabbi
here, wrote us along.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (07:27):
Thank you, Lord.
It's been an honor we get to bein this journey together.
My friend, yes, sir.
You know, I think some of what Isee is so sacred in the city,
but I would say, in thiscongregation in particular, is
what it is to have so manydifferent people with so many
different stories andbackgrounds come together in a
larger experiment of how do weknit together.
And for me, I can't think of amore powerful image during covid
(07:53):
than when we filmed our highholidays and welcome.
That really showcased youopening the doors of the
synagogue, because it capturedsomething essential about this
place is you.
Your face, your heart isindelibly entwined with how
people feel their sense ofbelonging here, and I don't know
(08:14):
if you always get to thinkabout that.
I know that you have to thinkabout 1000 variables to keep us
safe and the protocols thatallow this organization to run,
but I think about the statementthat it makes what it is to have
a good boy from Alabama whobecame an officer of the law
here in New York City.
Lloyd Moore (08:33):
Yes.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (08:34):
And it dedicates every day to be on the
front line, to give that senseof belonging to other people and
, while coming from a differentfaith background, to be the one
that helps a new generation riseup to find their own.
That's an amazing story and ifyou're willing, lloyd, I'd love
to hear.
What do you hold in your heartevery day as you walk into work
(08:54):
in this building, knowing thatpart of your job is to face how
bad humanity can get, whilegetting to embrace, with a huge
smile on your face, the joy ofseeing children run this
building in all generations,finding their place of home.
Lloyd Moore (09:09):
It's been a long journey for me, but here, I
think, is a very unique place towork.
There's so many people herethat been nice to me, so many
wonderful people here I can't Ican't even count them Just it's
just a wonderful place to greetpeople in the morning when they
come to work and my cheeringthem cheers me and that starts
(09:32):
my day out.
And that's the way I look atthings.
I always try to make peoplecomfortable when they hear the
synagogue and feel like they'resafe.
And you know it's just beenthat way of me acting that way.
Even when I was in the policedepartment.
I did the same thing when I wasin the community working.
When I first come into workevery day, first thing I want to
(09:54):
do is just look at mysurroundings and make sure
everything's safe inside andperimeter, and outside and
inside.
So it's a joy for me, in otherwords, to come here every day.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (10:07):
In our shared years here together.
Lloyd, one of the things thatI've also appreciated is the way
that you notice some of thepeople who struggle to find
belonging.
Lloyd Moore (10:17):
Yes.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (10:18):
And some of the people that you know could
use that extra greeting, andespecially as we think of some
of our teens that sometimesstruggle, how you've taken many
of them under your wing, helpedbring them into the security
booth and domain, but even morehad them feel like there was an
adult that actually cared aboutthem.
And, if you don't mind, I'mgonna ask you a question I've
(10:40):
wanted to ask you a long time.
Lloyd Moore (10:41):
Sure.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (10:43):
What was it like for you growing up as a kid
?
Did you feel a sense ofbelonging?
Well, like what has allowed youto be so attuned to those who
seem to be searching orstruggling or feeling alone.
Lloyd Moore (10:53):
Oh well, let me just say that when I was growing
up, I really had a very nice,wonderful childhood growing up,
because I came from a veryreligious family, let's put it
that way, and I was very activein the church that I attended.
I was a ME Methodist.
I even taught the adulteducation class in my church
(11:19):
during youth week.
You know it was amazing that Iwas talking to adults like that,
giving them a lesson, and I wasonly like 12 years old.
But anyway, just certain thingslike that sort of like molded
at me.
I guess you could say.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (11:34):
So if you were gonna teach a class here at
Rodeph Sholom, yes.
On how to bring out the best ofhumanity.
Lloyd Moore (11:42):
Yes.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (11:43):
What do you think is the recipe?
Oh wow, you've seen it all,lloyd.
So if you're gonna lift up thevalues, the lessons that you
think it takes to bring forwardthe best of what people can be,
what would they be?
Lloyd Moore (11:55):
Well, I look at it this way I don't treat people
the way that I would want to betreated.
There are a lot of and I couldsay this on Saturdays when I'm
here more or less seniorcitizens coming in, more or less
.
It makes me very warm inside totalk to them, some of them
because they need someone totalk to and I don't.
I won't call any names per se,but it never remind me mostly of
(12:17):
when I was growing up.
I put it that way and theyalways ask me I haven't seen you
today, why you didn't come inyesterday, like last Friday.
I didn't come in.
Everyone thought someonehappened to me, you know,
because I miss them, like theymiss me.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (12:32):
So Again, you know, boy from Oregon and boy
from Alabama wind up in New YorkCity but being in the same home
, ultimately, because I thinkthis is a place where we're
building community, where we'resaying we're stronger, we're
better when we weave togetherwith others, when we get to
journey together a bit.
So for you, lloyd, as you thinkabout this neighborhood, this
(12:57):
city, even this congregation,and you see the changes that are
under foot, we're living at atime of a great deal of
fracturing.
There's been obviously a greatdeal of attention brought to law
enforcement and the way inwhich these two different worlds
don't always reach towards thesame vision of our country and
(13:19):
I'm curious how you, on apersonal level, kind of navigate
this very difficult time offacing ongoing racism in our
country, of looking at, I think,some of the fair and maybe
problematic critique of lawenforcement.
You've lived it you see how hardit is, and I'm wondering if you
could give us some of your ownwisdom.
Lloyd Moore (13:38):
Yeah, absolutely, growing up in Alabama.
Let me just say I grew up inBirmingham, alabama, which is,
at one point in time when I wascoming up, was probably the most
segregated place in the UnitedStates.
I went to segregated schools.
Even though I grew up in asegregated situation, there were
(13:59):
a lot of Caucasian friends ofmine and family that it was a
period of time where they wereafraid to really speak out
because of ramifications of whatmay happen to them they could.
You know you had the Klu KluxKlan around you, had a lot of
(14:21):
white supremacist groups outthere, but in all in all it was
a lot of harmony among theracists there, believe it or not
.
And I grew up with a lot ofAngela Davis.
She went to school with me inhigh school and then I used to
go like when you had the CivilRights Movement, the Monarchy
(14:43):
King sermons and all that andthe churches and everything like
that.
I attended all that stuff.
So you know I have seen fullcircle of how we have gone from
the 50s into the 60s to the 70sand to present, coming to New
York City.
I came here at a time where inyou're laughing at me because I
had a Southern accent.
Let me just say that I don'tknow if I still have it.
(15:04):
Some people say I still do.
I don't know these pins on whatcertain things I say.
But I found that, you know, Icould really deal with the
people.
Like you say, you're fromOregon and I was from Alabama,
but somehow you can mesh allthat together and survive by
just being yourself.
Like I said earlier, I treatpeople the way that I want to be
(15:25):
treated, but I think we are ina time in my life and everyone's
life here where race is aproblem.
There's seem to be an issue nowand I think we're going to
overcome all of this eventually.
It's not going to, it's justsomething we're going through
right now.
I don't know what it is, maybeit's economics, maybe it's
because of the virus.
(15:46):
We're locked down for two orthree years, but I think
eventually we're all going toget on the same page.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (15:54):
And I do think you know, lloyd, that some of
the perspective that many of usmean included lack is sometimes,
when you're in the midst of atime of disruption, dislocation,
fracturing, it's sometimesharder to see the longer arc,
the longer story, and that's anincredible perspective to be
able to bring to the fore rightnow.
So what gives you hope thesedays?
Lloyd Moore (16:17):
What gives me hope is that I see goodness in the
young people.
But then again you still havebad and evil in some of this
going around.
But some of the young peoplehere are very impressive to me,
Amazing.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (16:35):
It's interesting because, as I look
over the moments in my lifewhere I found myself afraid
often in fear I make the worstchoices and it is interesting
that it's usually inrelationship.
It's in feeling like we're notalone that we can make not only
the move of seeing a largerperspective but ultimately make
decisions that are in theinterests of people beyond our
(16:57):
own self-preservation.
If we actually believe that Godis with us, that people are with
us, how does that change ourevery interaction?
Because going back to New YorkCity, that's when the magic of
the city is those interactionsyou get to have with your cab
driver or the subway conductoror the random person that's
walking the sidewalk, and Ithink about how do we get to
(17:18):
have interactions where webelieve that each of those
people have goodness and placeand purpose, and how do we see
each of those faces as not aninherent threat but possibly a
person who's helping this city?
Hum, so if you were going to goand think about the recipe of
how to create a house ofbelonging, as a person who grew
(17:39):
up in a house of worship and nowis a part of helping this house
of worship run, what do youthink it takes to really create
that feeling of sanctuary, thatfeeling of a beacon of belonging
for people.
Lloyd Moore (17:53):
I really feel that the congregation itself brings
out let me put it that way thegoodness of everyone, and I'm
going to use the word thatexample, because everyone here
is so warm.
I feel comfort.
When I'm here, it's like Ibelong and just it's
(18:13):
indescribably.
I can't really say it's a greatplace to be.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (18:18):
I do like that image of a place that helps
bring out the goodness in eachperson, because I think there's
a lot of spaces that can bringout the worst in people.
And what is the recipe?
What's the environment thatinspires us to believe that our
small and large choices can makea difference, that actually we
can impact the world?
And I do think it's interestingto again have the model of
(18:41):
who's the first person they getto meet, and that, I think, is
something that when most peopleare imagining what does it mean
to be in the security industry?
I'm sure there are some, butI'm guessing for many it's not
the lens of how am I creating afeeling of belonging in?
Lloyd Moore (18:59):
people.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (19:00):
How am I helping them feel their own
goodness?
And I know this isn't what youwere wanting in this
conversation, Lloyd, but I dowant to mirror back to you that
the number of people who havefelt a sense of connection in
this place, that have felt asense that somebody cares about
what's happening to them andcares what actually lives at the
heart of who they are, hasreally come from you.
(19:20):
And that's the magic of a placewhere what happens if every one
of us actually orientthemselves to believe that our
every interaction or everyconversation is the opportunity
to create connections, to helpanother person feel like they
belong is that they're neededand necessary.
And I think part of why you'reso beloved, Lloyd, is because
(19:41):
you model the best of what thisplace can be.
Lloyd Moore (19:44):
Well, I feel a lot of love here and, as you
eloquently described, which Ican't like you present things,
but it's a lot of love when youwalk through the front door here
.
There's love here, right off,right away, and so that reflects
(20:07):
my personality as a person whoworks here.
I try to keep a same demeanorbecause that's the way I feel
and that's my insight, myinsight reflects my outside.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (20:20):
And that, my friend, I think may be exactly
the wisdom of our times, becauseultimately, if we want to see
the world get to a better place,we have to start by figuring
out what's going on insideourselves.
And if I can't access that, howcan I possibly expect the world
outside to do that?
So actually, I would say to you, lloyd, that's exactly the
workshop that we need.
If you could have seen theworst of humanity, choose to
(20:46):
still bring forward love intothis world A person who stands
at the doors every single dayhere, knowing that there are
people who would seek to dodamage to the people behind
these doors and you still cangreet the world of love.
The rest of us really have noexcuse.
So we have to do what we can tonurture that goodness in our
own selves and figure out how wecan see other people.
(21:07):
I think that's incrediblewisdom, lloyd, thank you.
So I want to just bring onemore question, if you're willing
.
I put you on the hot seat a lothere.
Lloyd Moore (21:18):
No, it's okay, it's okay.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (21:21):
So if we could thread together some of the
different chapters of your lifeand you were going to think
about a lesson that you feellike has come back again and
again in your life, over andover, what would one of those
things be?
Lloyd Moore (21:36):
Oh, never make the same mistake twice.
That's sort of been my motto.
I've always been that way, fromday one, when I was able to.
Well, when I had my first job,if I made a mistake in it, I
would never make the samemistake a second time.
So until it becomes a naturalthing, I never want to make a
(22:00):
mistake.
I'm not a perfect person, ofcourse, but I sit down and
discuss the pro and cons of itwith them myself, and sometimes
I would take it to my parentsand let them guide me.
My parents were the molding ofme.
Probably, if you see my parentstoday who sit down here, you
(22:24):
will see me.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (22:26):
It's interesting to imagine, in, I
would say, many synagogues andmany churches, there's a feeling
of guilt and shame that's oftenincubated.
So I think that guilt often,you know, hangs in the air in
many religious settings and theproblem is that guilt in a small
(22:48):
dose can sometimes inspirepeople to learn from mistakes,
but in large doses actually cansuggest to a person it doesn't
really matter what I do, becauseI'm always going to be an error
, and I love the orientation ofsaying you know what.
We are gonna make mistakes andit's our choice whether we
choose to learn from them andchoose to grow from them.
So again, another element thatmaybe we could use a little dose
(23:11):
of and a lot of it with thereligious context is how do we
focus on the learning and lesson the guilt?
Wonderful.
Well, lloyd, I want to justoffer gratitude.
I know that this is not thenormal way in which you bring
forward kind of your voice intothis world and for all of us
here at Rodeph Sholom.
We are blessed every day byyour leadership, by your heart
(23:33):
and by the love that you modelfor this community.
Thank you, my friend.
Thank you, thank you forjoining us and listening to this
story of belonging.
Stay connected with us onFacebook and Instagram.
You can find me on twitter atBenHSpratt.
For more information about CRS,visit us online at rodephsholom
(23:54):
.
org.
The human story is the search for
belonging.
From childhood to adulthood, injoy and in struggle, we all sit
in questions of how to makesense of it all.
What is our place?
Why are we here?
What is our story of searching?
Join us in conversation withcommunity members each sharing
some of their own story.
(00:25):
I am Ben Spratt and this isbelonging.
So today I have the true honorof being in conversation with a
beloved friend and colleague.
Many know Lloyd Moore to be thesmiling face that has greeted
us walking in doors of theBritish Alarm for more than two
(00:47):
decades.
Those of you who don't know,his official title is Deputy
Director of Security and, for aperson who has dedicated his
career to making this asanctuary of safety and
belonging, we also know him tobe the person that most anchors
us, most warmly welcomes us intoa space that says this is home.
(01:07):
And, lloyd, it is a gift to bein conversation with you today,
my friend.
Lloyd Moore (01:11):
Thank you very much , Rabbi.
I feel very honored being hereto end your presence.
Thank you.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (01:19):
Of course.
So, lloyd, we would love tohear a bit about your own search
for belonging over anincredible life, and some of
that life we've had the blessingof enjoying.
Lloyd Moore (01:33):
But if you're willing to tell us a bit about
that search, oh, of course, Ifeel like my belonging has been
here at Rhode Island.
For the amount of time thatI've been here, I've had an
opportunity to meet a lot offamilies, a lot of kids who have
gone to our school, have gonebeyond, graduated from college
(01:55):
and their own professional life,and some of them have even
gotten married, and then I findthat this is a very warm place
to be a part of.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (02:05):
That was beautiful, lloyd, and I have to
say what I love is that somehowthose interactions, those
passing interactions, especiallyfor just a sense of connection,
not just in you but in them youremember names of people going
back decades and oftentimes ifone of us is struggling to
recall a name, you're the onewho can pull it up and I think
(02:26):
that shows a deeperunderstanding that you lift up,
which is that each interaction,each person is actually sacred
and important and for you youtreasure that and make the rest
of us feel that.
So if you're willing, lloyd, Iwould love to have you take us
on a little bit of journey ofyour story, because you do such
(02:47):
a good job asking the questionsabout our lives.
This is an opportunity for ourcongregation, our community, to
get to hear a bit of yours, ifyou're willing.
Lloyd Moore (02:55):
Okay, sure, well, to begin with I'm a Southern boy
from Alabama.
I was born there.
My mom and my dad met when theywere in college and somehow my
father had to go to the service.
He was in World War II.
I was born and my father wasaway overseas, and so I was
(03:18):
raised by my grandparents and mydad and my mom, and they taught
me a lot about value, hard work, and that's sort of like been
my mantra all my life and that'swhy I am who I am, I guess from
my upbringing.
I came to New York, I guessabout when I was around 20.
(03:39):
I was in college down inAlabama, of course, in a
Christian Methodist EpiscopalSchool, and then I gravitated to
New York City.
I went to Fordham Universityfor a while and then I ended up
graduating from John Jay Collegeof Criminal Justice in 1982.
And then I was in the policedepartment for approximately 20
(04:02):
years and I like the idea ofbeing around people serving,
which I did for 20 years.
All that came to sort of Ideveloped my character, I would
say.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (04:17):
So being an officer in the police force at a
time which was a very differentNew York City.
Lloyd Moore (04:23):
Yes.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (04:24):
I imagine you got to see both the worst of the
most difficult layers ofhumanity and also, I'm guessing,
some experiences with the bestof humanity and the courage.
How did you process all of thatas an officer?
Lloyd Moore (04:38):
That's a good question, Rabbi, because I came
on in February 1974 and New YorkCity was a totally different
place and of course I didn'thave the equipment that these
officers have today, such as avest, body cameras and all of
that.
So we had to sort of likeimprovise a lot of things.
You're a psychologist, you're apsychiatrist, you're a law
(05:02):
enforcement officer, you put itall together and then that's how
you were able to serve thecommunity and survive yourself.
So the department developed andgo for and I grew into the
department until it was time forme to leave.
I left there in 1994.
So I put approximately 20 yearsthere and afterwards I didn't
(05:23):
work for three years.
I stayed home.
I was raising my kid at home,which I wanted to do, until it
was time for us to move out andbuy a house somewhere.
So we bought a house in NorthCarolina and that's where we
reside to this day, and that'sit.
So far, so good.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (05:42):
So, lloyd, how did you hold on to a belief in
the goodness in people?
Lloyd Moore (05:48):
Oh, good question.
I can see the good and I cansee the bad and all things and,
believe me, I see nothing butgoodness.
When I come here in thesynagogue, here there's such a
warmness that I can't explain,and I sort of like get along
with everyone, especially alwaysstart like to start with the
(06:10):
children, because I'm more orless involved with the by
misfits here and in the school,and then that's how I got to I
don't know, know thegrandparents and know the uncles
, know the aunts and I have apretty good memory of names and
stuff like that.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (06:27):
So when you think about your parents and
growing up, and giving you thevalue of hard work, which we
certainly get to see and youlive out every single day.
So what do you think yourparents would make of you
working in a Jewish synagoguehere in New York City?
I mean, was this your parentsdream for you?
Lloyd Moore (06:46):
Oh well, actually I did tell my father this before
he passed away and he was verysupportive of me working here
because I was.
I would tell him that I metinteresting people like yourself
.
I remember you were a biblicalstudent here working in
religious school and so, but myparents have always been
supportive of whatever Ibelieved in.
(07:07):
Like I said, they gave me mystrength, they mold me the way I
am right now.
So I'm pretty sure they wouldbe very happy, whoever they are
right now, to know that I'mspeaking to Rabbi Rabbi Spratt,
who's a biblical student that Iknew, that became a senior rabbi
here, wrote us along.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (07:27):
Thank you, Lord.
It's been an honor we get to bein this journey together.
My friend, yes, sir.
You know, I think some of what Isee is so sacred in the city,
but I would say, in thiscongregation in particular, is
what it is to have so manydifferent people with so many
different stories andbackgrounds come together in a
larger experiment of how do weknit together.
And for me, I can't think of amore powerful image during covid
(07:53):
than when we filmed our highholidays and welcome.
That really showcased youopening the doors of the
synagogue, because it capturedsomething essential about this
place is you.
Your face, your heart isindelibly entwined with how
people feel their sense ofbelonging here, and I don't know
(08:14):
if you always get to thinkabout that.
I know that you have to thinkabout 1000 variables to keep us
safe and the protocols thatallow this organization to run,
but I think about the statementthat it makes what it is to have
a good boy from Alabama whobecame an officer of the law
here in New York City.
Lloyd Moore (08:33):
Yes.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (08:34):
And it dedicates every day to be on the
front line, to give that senseof belonging to other people and
, while coming from a differentfaith background, to be the one
that helps a new generation riseup to find their own.
That's an amazing story and ifyou're willing, lloyd, I'd love
to hear.
What do you hold in your heartevery day as you walk into work
(08:54):
in this building, knowing thatpart of your job is to face how
bad humanity can get, whilegetting to embrace, with a huge
smile on your face, the joy ofseeing children run this
building in all generations,finding their place of home.
Lloyd Moore (09:09):
It's been a long journey for me, but here, I
think, is a very unique place towork.
There's so many people herethat been nice to me, so many
wonderful people here I can't Ican't even count them Just it's
just a wonderful place to greetpeople in the morning when they
come to work and my cheeringthem cheers me and that starts
(09:32):
my day out.
And that's the way I look atthings.
I always try to make peoplecomfortable when they hear the
synagogue and feel like they'resafe.
And you know it's just beenthat way of me acting that way.
Even when I was in the policedepartment.
I did the same thing when I wasin the community working.
When I first come into workevery day, first thing I want to
(09:54):
do is just look at mysurroundings and make sure
everything's safe inside andperimeter, and outside and
inside.
So it's a joy for me, in otherwords, to come here every day.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (10:07):
In our shared years here together.
Lloyd, one of the things thatI've also appreciated is the way
that you notice some of thepeople who struggle to find
belonging.
Lloyd Moore (10:17):
Yes.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (10:18):
And some of the people that you know could
use that extra greeting, andespecially as we think of some
of our teens that sometimesstruggle, how you've taken many
of them under your wing, helpedbring them into the security
booth and domain, but even morehad them feel like there was an
adult that actually cared aboutthem.
And, if you don't mind, I'mgonna ask you a question I've
(10:40):
wanted to ask you a long time.
Lloyd Moore (10:41):
Sure.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (10:43):
What was it like for you growing up as a kid
?
Did you feel a sense ofbelonging?
Well, like what has allowed youto be so attuned to those who
seem to be searching orstruggling or feeling alone.
Lloyd Moore (10:53):
Oh well, let me just say that when I was growing
up, I really had a very nice,wonderful childhood growing up,
because I came from a veryreligious family, let's put it
that way, and I was very activein the church that I attended.
I was a ME Methodist.
I even taught the adulteducation class in my church
(11:19):
during youth week.
You know it was amazing that Iwas talking to adults like that,
giving them a lesson, and I wasonly like 12 years old.
But anyway, just certain thingslike that sort of like molded
at me.
I guess you could say.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (11:34):
So if you were gonna teach a class here at
Rodeph Sholom, yes.
On how to bring out the best ofhumanity.
Lloyd Moore (11:42):
Yes.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (11:43):
What do you think is the recipe?
Oh wow, you've seen it all,lloyd.
So if you're gonna lift up thevalues, the lessons that you
think it takes to bring forwardthe best of what people can be,
what would they be?
Lloyd Moore (11:55):
Well, I look at it this way I don't treat people
the way that I would want to betreated.
There are a lot of and I couldsay this on Saturdays when I'm
here more or less seniorcitizens coming in, more or less
.
It makes me very warm inside totalk to them, some of them
because they need someone totalk to and I don't.
I won't call any names per se,but it never remind me mostly of
(12:17):
when I was growing up.
I put it that way and theyalways ask me I haven't seen you
today, why you didn't come inyesterday, like last Friday.
I didn't come in.
Everyone thought someonehappened to me, you know,
because I miss them, like theymiss me.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (12:32):
So Again, you know, boy from Oregon and boy
from Alabama wind up in New YorkCity but being in the same home
, ultimately, because I thinkthis is a place where we're
building community, where we'resaying we're stronger, we're
better when we weave togetherwith others, when we get to
journey together a bit.
So for you, lloyd, as you thinkabout this neighborhood, this
(12:57):
city, even this congregation,and you see the changes that are
under foot, we're living at atime of a great deal of
fracturing.
There's been obviously a greatdeal of attention brought to law
enforcement and the way inwhich these two different worlds
don't always reach towards thesame vision of our country and
(13:19):
I'm curious how you, on apersonal level, kind of navigate
this very difficult time offacing ongoing racism in our
country, of looking at, I think,some of the fair and maybe
problematic critique of lawenforcement.
You've lived it you see how hardit is, and I'm wondering if you
could give us some of your ownwisdom.
Lloyd Moore (13:38):
Yeah, absolutely, growing up in Alabama.
Let me just say I grew up inBirmingham, alabama, which is,
at one point in time when I wascoming up, was probably the most
segregated place in the UnitedStates.
I went to segregated schools.
Even though I grew up in asegregated situation, there were
(13:59):
a lot of Caucasian friends ofmine and family that it was a
period of time where they wereafraid to really speak out
because of ramifications of whatmay happen to them they could.
You know you had the Klu KluxKlan around you, had a lot of
(14:21):
white supremacist groups outthere, but in all in all it was
a lot of harmony among theracists there, believe it or not
.
And I grew up with a lot ofAngela Davis.
She went to school with me inhigh school and then I used to
go like when you had the CivilRights Movement, the Monarchy
(14:43):
King sermons and all that andthe churches and everything like
that.
I attended all that stuff.
So you know I have seen fullcircle of how we have gone from
the 50s into the 60s to the 70sand to present, coming to New
York City.
I came here at a time where inyou're laughing at me because I
had a Southern accent.
Let me just say that I don'tknow if I still have it.
(15:04):
Some people say I still do.
I don't know these pins on whatcertain things I say.
But I found that, you know, Icould really deal with the
people.
Like you say, you're fromOregon and I was from Alabama,
but somehow you can mesh allthat together and survive by
just being yourself.
Like I said earlier, I treatpeople the way that I want to be
(15:25):
treated, but I think we are ina time in my life and everyone's
life here where race is aproblem.
There's seem to be an issue nowand I think we're going to
overcome all of this eventually.
It's not going to, it's justsomething we're going through
right now.
I don't know what it is, maybeit's economics, maybe it's
because of the virus.
(15:46):
We're locked down for two orthree years, but I think
eventually we're all going toget on the same page.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (15:54):
And I do think you know, lloyd, that some of
the perspective that many of usmean included lack is sometimes,
when you're in the midst of atime of disruption, dislocation,
fracturing, it's sometimesharder to see the longer arc,
the longer story, and that's anincredible perspective to be
able to bring to the fore rightnow.
So what gives you hope thesedays?
Lloyd Moore (16:17):
What gives me hope is that I see goodness in the
young people.
But then again you still havebad and evil in some of this
going around.
But some of the young peoplehere are very impressive to me,
Amazing.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (16:35):
It's interesting because, as I look
over the moments in my lifewhere I found myself afraid
often in fear I make the worstchoices and it is interesting
that it's usually inrelationship.
It's in feeling like we're notalone that we can make not only
the move of seeing a largerperspective but ultimately make
decisions that are in theinterests of people beyond our
(16:57):
own self-preservation.
If we actually believe that Godis with us, that people are with
us, how does that change ourevery interaction?
Because going back to New YorkCity, that's when the magic of
the city is those interactionsyou get to have with your cab
driver or the subway conductoror the random person that's
walking the sidewalk, and Ithink about how do we get to
(17:18):
have interactions where webelieve that each of those
people have goodness and placeand purpose, and how do we see
each of those faces as not aninherent threat but possibly a
person who's helping this city?
Hum, so if you were going to goand think about the recipe of
how to create a house ofbelonging, as a person who grew
(17:39):
up in a house of worship and nowis a part of helping this house
of worship run, what do youthink it takes to really create
that feeling of sanctuary, thatfeeling of a beacon of belonging
for people.
Lloyd Moore (17:53):
I really feel that the congregation itself brings
out let me put it that way thegoodness of everyone, and I'm
going to use the word thatexample, because everyone here
is so warm.
I feel comfort.
When I'm here, it's like Ibelong and just it's
(18:13):
indescribably.
I can't really say it's a greatplace to be.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (18:18):
I do like that image of a place that helps
bring out the goodness in eachperson, because I think there's
a lot of spaces that can bringout the worst in people.
And what is the recipe?
What's the environment thatinspires us to believe that our
small and large choices can makea difference, that actually we
can impact the world?
And I do think it's interestingto again have the model of
(18:41):
who's the first person they getto meet, and that, I think, is
something that when most peopleare imagining what does it mean
to be in the security industry?
I'm sure there are some, butI'm guessing for many it's not
the lens of how am I creating afeeling of belonging in?
Lloyd Moore (18:59):
people.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (19:00):
How am I helping them feel their own
goodness?
And I know this isn't what youwere wanting in this
conversation, Lloyd, but I dowant to mirror back to you that
the number of people who havefelt a sense of connection in
this place, that have felt asense that somebody cares about
what's happening to them andcares what actually lives at the
heart of who they are, hasreally come from you.
(19:20):
And that's the magic of a placewhere what happens if every one
of us actually orientthemselves to believe that our
every interaction or everyconversation is the opportunity
to create connections, to helpanother person feel like they
belong is that they're neededand necessary.
And I think part of why you'reso beloved, Lloyd, is because
(19:41):
you model the best of what thisplace can be.
Lloyd Moore (19:44):
Well, I feel a lot of love here and, as you
eloquently described, which Ican't like you present things,
but it's a lot of love when youwalk through the front door here
.
There's love here, right off,right away, and so that reflects
(20:07):
my personality as a person whoworks here.
I try to keep a same demeanorbecause that's the way I feel
and that's my insight, myinsight reflects my outside.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (20:20):
And that, my friend, I think may be exactly
the wisdom of our times, becauseultimately, if we want to see
the world get to a better place,we have to start by figuring
out what's going on insideourselves.
And if I can't access that, howcan I possibly expect the world
outside to do that?
So actually, I would say to you, lloyd, that's exactly the
workshop that we need.
If you could have seen theworst of humanity, choose to
(20:46):
still bring forward love intothis world A person who stands
at the doors every single dayhere, knowing that there are
people who would seek to dodamage to the people behind
these doors and you still cangreet the world of love.
The rest of us really have noexcuse.
So we have to do what we can tonurture that goodness in our
own selves and figure out how wecan see other people.
(21:07):
I think that's incrediblewisdom, lloyd, thank you.
So I want to just bring onemore question, if you're willing
.
I put you on the hot seat a lothere.
Lloyd Moore (21:18):
No, it's okay, it's okay.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (21:21):
So if we could thread together some of the
different chapters of your lifeand you were going to think
about a lesson that you feellike has come back again and
again in your life, over andover, what would one of those
things be?
Lloyd Moore (21:36):
Oh, never make the same mistake twice.
That's sort of been my motto.
I've always been that way, fromday one, when I was able to.
Well, when I had my first job,if I made a mistake in it, I
would never make the samemistake a second time.
So until it becomes a naturalthing, I never want to make a
(22:00):
mistake.
I'm not a perfect person, ofcourse, but I sit down and
discuss the pro and cons of itwith them myself, and sometimes
I would take it to my parentsand let them guide me.
My parents were the molding ofme.
Probably, if you see my parentstoday who sit down here, you
(22:24):
will see me.
Rabbi Ben Spratt (22:26):
It's interesting to imagine, in, I
would say, many synagogues andmany churches, there's a feeling
of guilt and shame that's oftenincubated.
So I think that guilt often,you know, hangs in the air in
many religious settings and theproblem is that guilt in a small
(22:48):
dose can sometimes inspirepeople to learn from mistakes,
but in large doses actually cansuggest to a person it doesn't
really matter what I do, becauseI'm always going to be an error
, and I love the orientation ofsaying you know what.
We are gonna make mistakes andit's our choice whether we
choose to learn from them andchoose to grow from them.
So again, another element thatmaybe we could use a little dose
(23:11):
of and a lot of it with thereligious context is how do we
focus on the learning and lesson the guilt?
Wonderful.
Well, lloyd, I want to justoffer gratitude.
I know that this is not thenormal way in which you bring
forward kind of your voice intothis world and for all of us
here at Rodeph Sholom.
We are blessed every day byyour leadership, by your heart
(23:33):
and by the love that you modelfor this community.
Thank you, my friend.
Thank you, thank you forjoining us and listening to this
story of belonging.
Stay connected with us onFacebook and Instagram.
You can find me on twitter atBenHSpratt.
For more information about CRS,visit us online at rodephsholom
(23:54):
.
org.
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.