Home Presentation for Yom Kippur Symposium 5763, September 16, 2002
When I was asked if I would speak today, I was so honored, I accepted the invitation without hesitation. After putting down the telephone, my first thought was where to begin. “What impact Judaism had on my life?” Childhood would be a good place to start.
This time and place bring back memories of other times.
When my family moved to Temple, Texas, on our way to our new home, we passed through Belton, Texas. On the outskirts of town I saw a large lit cross that stood next to a barn-like building; the meeting place for the Ku Klux Klan. What a shocking experience for a twelve year old! Temple, our destination, had only ten Jewish families, and the closest place for worship was Waco, thirty miles away. Be that as it may, calling together a minion was quite a task when needed. Our previous homes had been Fort Worth and Austin where religious needs were easily accessible. Needless to say…our destination was going to be a religious desert for us.
I can appreciate now more than ever what effect this had on my family. We were well accepted by the community, but having no Jewish friends, religion was never discussed. Even so, there was always that feeling inside of being different that kept me aware to avoid anything that would cause embarrassment. Looking back, that might have been a good example of false security. One occasion I shall always remember: there was a guest speaker at one of our school assemblies. He told what he thought would be a funny joke. The joke was about another speaker who asked his host what subject he would like to cover. The host replied that the speaker could choose whatever he thought would be right for the occasion… “But please don't let your speech mention anything about any of our prominent citizens. If you wish, you can talk about the Jews…they are all out of town.” Being the only Jew present, and seated next to a friend whose father was pastor of the First Baptist Church…and also our speaker of the day…need I say more?
When Sara Maryn and I were blessed with our daughter, Karen, I decided that she would have the opportunity to be with children of her age and faith. I drove her to Waco every Sunday to attend Religious School. I will always remember those precious moments. While still in Temple, I was thrown from my car, and in my flight I missed hitting a steel pole by inches. When I got up, I found that I was not injured. Some would call this luck, but my feeling was that someone was certainly watching over me. My strength was further deepened in God. The years spent in Temple were not a loss in that it gave me the opportunity to know people of other religions, and taking Karen to Sunday School gave her the opportunity that my sister and I didn't have. Through those years, however, I, like many others in the same position, took my religion for granted. What a shame. The older I became my desire to know more about Judaism grew. After our decision to move to Austin, Karen was confirmed and I became President of the Brotherhood. Another honor came later when I was elected President of the West Austin Rotary Club. To my knowledge, I was the only Jew to have help that position.
When Karen left home for college, my business took us to San Antonio where my desire for more knowledge about our faith was still in need. Always aware of my limited education on the subject, and thanks to Lynn Stahl, I began attending the Torah class that meets every Saturday morning. I shall ever be grateful for her direction, and can't forgive myself for not delving sooner. Those one-hour meetings have meant more to me than words permit.
Taking advantage of this…the highest of Holidays, I have to say that closing the gates to the outside world, and entering this wondrous Sanctuary, can only be a God given privilege. We, as Jews do have a direct line to God, and I know in my heart that our prayers are heard, and many are answered. On this special day I can take inventory of the intentions I had planned to accomplish in the year past, and ask forgiveness for the ones that I overlooked. I count my blessings, and trust that the coming year will enable me to do good in every way possible. I am the first again to admit that my Jewish education has been limited through the years, but growing older, I realize that the laws of Judaism are a very comfortable way of life when practiced, and paramount to having the feeling that all is well.
Judaism…Honor thy God, embracing love, compassion and the respect for the rights of others. I know that I can be ever grateful for the miracles that surround me every day, and will always know Judaism is LIFE, and the 613 laws of God's commandments are the way to live it.
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