I grew up in the small town of Brenham, in Central Texas before World War II. This made me realize that being Jewish set me apart from most of my classmates.
My parents were orthodox, and we have a synagogue that is on the street behind my grandfather's house. My father, of Blessed Memory, came to America at the age of 1 4 and within a few years, brought the rest of his family to live near us.
My mother, of Blessed Memory, was born in Brenham, Texas. Her parents, Mary and Joseph had moved there when they were 18 along with my great-grandfather.
My grandfather was a peddler and eventually opened a dry goods store there in Brenham. I remember times when I would be in his store, many of his customers would always ask if they could “Jew him down on the Price.” One day I asked him if he was bothered by this. His reply was that they didn't Know any better, that their dislike for Jews was what their parents had taught them and that they would probably teach their children the same. I remember my next question to him; “If they don't like Jews, why do they continue to buy from you?”
He answered “If there were no Jewish merchants, whom would they buy their clothes from?”
Being only one of two Jewish students in school, it was extremely difficult during Christmas as everyone would ask me what I wanted for Christmas, and I had to tell them that being Jewish, we didn't celebrate that holiday. This was not clearly understood by most people. It was also difficult when I was absent from school for our Jewish Holidays. Imagine trying to explain Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to people who had no knowledge or understanding of what Judaism is all about.
The Seventh Grade was the most difficult. This Grade merged with a Catholic Parochial school that only had classes through the Sixth Grade. These boys especially had a real hatred for Jews. That was the year I heard all the anti Semitic slang; Christ Killer, Dirty Jew, Kike, Abbie, Shannie, and so on. I had seven fights that year. In those days they would make these remarks behind your back. If you didn’t turn around and hit them, the next time would be worse.
One kid had asked me if it was true that Jews killed animals and drank their blood when we were in the synagogue.
The war was over by the time I was in High School. As news of the holocaust had made its way around the world, students and teachers had become more aware and respectful of me as a Jew..
After World War II ended and the real truth came out about the 6 million Jews who were killed in the holocaust, I felt that as a Jewish People we had reached a new low. It showed us just how vulnerable and helpless our people were.
We remember how the rest of the world stood by and would not lift a finger to offer a safe heaven to any of the European Jews destined for annihilation.
When the state of Israel was established most Jews including me took on a certain pride in being Jewish that we had never had before. My hope is that we will all strive to see that this small country surrounded by its enemies continues to be a stronghold of peace, and the homeland for Jewish people forever. Israel may well be the country of refuge for the Jews in Argentina who are now living with the fear of anti-Semitic attacks on a daily basis.
Know that having grown up in this atmosphere has made me much more keenly aware of the events of these times.
I have told you this because growing up in a small town is a completely different life experience than growing up in San Antonio as did my wife Doris.
Being Jewish also means formulating some common concerns and educating the next generation. This is why, while living in El Campo, Texas, when our daughter, Cheryl, entered high school we decided that we wanted our children to have the opportunity to be with Jewish kids their age if they so wanted. My children Cheryl, Joel, and Mark were active in our temple's youth group, and were all officers in Tofty, the Texas Oklahoma Federation of Temple Youth. Cheryl, Rob, Mark, and Elizabeth are also actively involved in their Jewish Communities today.
Now my two older granddaughters are participating in their temple's youth serving as officers in their Regional youth Groups.
Three weeks ago Doris and I had the pleasure of seeing our youngest granddaughter Josie, who is gone participate in the Tot Shabbat services at Temple Beth Israel in Houston. From generation to generation, this makes me proud.
Judaism teaches us that we must care and respect the elderly. Golden Manor has provided me the opportunity to direct some of my time and efforts towards this goal. It is gratifying to know that we in San Antonio have a Jewish home where our sick and elderly can go and be treated with the dignity and respect that they so well deserve.
Whenever Jews have been allowed to participate in public affairs, they have done so. This is because we are urged to put our religion into action. Talking is not the main thing, action is; goes a Talmudic Maxim. It includes not just activity within the confines of the Jewish world, but working for the welfare of the larger society in which we live; we call this Tikkun Olam, meaning “Reparation of World.”
Our Torah also tells us that we must care for the poor and less fortunate. My involvement with the San Antonio Food Bank has provided me the satisfaction that in some small way I am helping to make a difference.
The Talmud says “If people of learning participate in public affairs, they give stability to the land.” However if they sit at home and say to themselves “What have the affairs of society to do with me? Let my soul dwell in peace, they have the affairs of society to do with me? Let my soul dwell in peace, they bring about the destruction of the world.” My time devoted to my temple and to our Jewish federation as well, is described in this saying from the Talmud.
The Jewish heritage that my parents and grandparents had instilled in me, and that I feel must continue, means seeing myself as a link between the past and the future. A link that I feel is shared by most of the Jews of my generation.
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