I can hear my Father's voice: (Quoting as he frequently would, from the Psalms):

"Behold a good doctrine has been given you. Do not forsake it. It is a tree of life to those who hold it fast, and all who cling to it find happiness. Its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace".

There was a special way, in which my Father spoke about the Torah and Jewish values. He conveyed wisdom with warmth and with awesome reverence. When my parents talked to me of the responsibilities of being a Jew, they spoke with a conviction as if they had personally been at Mount Sinai. I always had the feeling that they had a special relationship with God, and that God knew them on a first name basis.

When I recall anything that relates to the Impact of Judaism on my life, it is inextricably bound into what my parents conveyed to me in their words and in the way that they lived their lives. As a result, the thoughts that I share with you today, are primarily about them; the values they exhibited, and what they tried to teach their children.

I had the good fortune to be brought up in a "Jewish Home", where ethical values were not only discussed, but demonstrated. My parents were constantly exhibiting acts of kindness to others; sometimes there were just the simplest types of thoughtfulness. I can recall during the hot days of summer there was always a glass of cool water on the front porch waiting for the postman. When I was a boy, from time to time, there were people who knocked on our door who were hungry. My mother always found something for them to eat. My father was always involved in helping others. During the depression, he worked tirelessly to bring boxes of food to the hungry families who were living in railroad box cars not too far from our home. With help from friends he developed at City Hall, he made sure that running water was brought to people who were living in tents at the edge of the city. Many years, he would take me in tow as we delivered turkeys to the sisters who ran an orphanage in the most poverty ridden part of the city. When he passed away, the Sisters contacted me and shared their memories of my Father~ He recognized need and did what he could do without regard to color, race or religion.

Although my parents did not have much money, they never considered themselves poor. I can never recall either of them expressing an envious remark. They emulated the historic definition of a wealthy person, as they were satisfied with what they were. On the contrary, they were so aware of the many blessings they could enjoy, that they did not have time to concern themselves that they did not own fine or many clothes, and certainly nothing as frivolous as jewelry.

Both of my parents were involved in the community. They felt that everyone had a responsibility to be a part of the Community and contribute as they could. My father taught at religious school for many years, and throughout their lives, both my father and mother were extremely active in their congregation. When I chose to attend a reform congregation, my parents were very supportive. They were very pleased and proud that I became involved in the work of our Temple. To them, one of the most important goals of our Jewish institutions was "the preservation of Jewish values" and to participate toward that end in any congregation was of significance. The believed that the synagogue, all synagogues and temples, were essential to the continuity of our faith.

Both my father and my mother were very observant Jews. In his later years, my father attended Synagogue every morning and evening. Once when I commented on his devoted attendance and observances, he told me that rituals were important as a means to make one feel closer to God, and did not in themselves make one more worthy. He pointed out that we should be careful to confine our worship to God and to avoid worshiping rituals, and certainly not to confuse the two. My father taught that to be truly worthwhile in the eyes of God, positive actions were required. He sometimes referred to "Cardiac Jews" as those who knew in their heart what was the right thing, but did nothing. That did not apply to my parents.

My father prided himself on being a teacher, and he attempted to teach me all of my life. When I was a young man, I once told my father that I believed that the reform movement condensed Judaism to the essentials. He responded that when one reduces anything to their essentials, greater knowledge and study is required, not less. He was concerned that Judaism, a religion based upon knowledge and understanding, was being rejected in ignorance. From my parents I learned that Judaism had withstood generations upon generations of tests, and its value had been proven again and again to the point where it was beyond question, and it was not on trial. I learned that it our understanding that is on trial. My father believed that with study and knowledge future generations would learn how beautiful and meaningful Judaism was and they would stay involved in our faith and would perpetuate it. To him, that was the primary role of the Synagogue, and I am pleased that so much is being done at Beth-El to concentrate on education for all of our congregation.

My parents had an unshakable faith and trust, that was with them their entire lives. They were both confident that there was meaning in every situation, even if they were not exactly sure what it was. They were always confident that everything would work out just fine, if we did what was required of us. That faith that they instilled in me is the richest inheritance that one could have. This faith, this Jewish faith with its values, that nurtures a positive view of the most difficult situations, has impacted my life more than I can explain.

Whatever the situation, whether it be a new environment, a difficult anti-semitic situation, an unfortunate loss, or an anxious or frightening circumstance, such as serving in the army in Korea,....this faith and wonderful strength - was a heritage that I was blessed to receive.

When I was growing up, our family lived in the south east part of the city, where there were few Jewish families. I don't ever remember being in a class with another Jewish child, and I don't think there were ever more than a very few Jewish students in the entire school. Being Jewish, was being different, which was difficult on a small child, and I had to endure a certain amount of anti-semitism, which I just could not understand. Any Jewish person who grew up in the years that I did, no doubt came across similar prejudice in school, in business, and elsewhere. However, I found that the same Jewishness that provoked the acts of bigotry, also provided me with the strength to endure and overcome

The values that I have learned, primarily from my parents, have not only impacted my life, but they have become bonded into my being, both personal and professional alike. I may not know many of the answers of this life, but I have been taught a lot of the questions to ask.

In the complex world in which we live, there are times that are especially difficult and confusing. When I am perplexed, and I look for meaning and reassurance, I am grateful that I can still hear my Father's voice.

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