Home Presentation for Yom Kippur Symposium 5760, September 20, 1999
Thank you, Rabbi Stahl, Rabbis, pulpit occupants, fellow symposium speakers, and you hearty souls who spend the Yom Kippur day in our beautiful sanctuary.
I was surprised when I received a letter from Rabbi Stahl asking me to speak in a symposium on this holiest of days. My first reaction was to say no. I didn't think that anyone would be interested in hearing about the "Impact of Judaism" on my life?
I wondered why they asked me. Of course, I have been a Temple member for a long time. Years ago, I was on the Board of Trustees. Each year I spend the entire day of Yom Kippur in our Temple. So I guess who ever makes the selection of speakers, thought that I might as well be participating instead of sitting and listening.
I, like you, have gained insight and knowledge from listening to Frances Goodman and Robert Rosenthal, I am sure we will benefit from listening to Judy Koch.
In my early years, being Jewish was not pleasant. I was small for my age. At Herff Elementary School, on the South Side of San Antonio, I was continually getting beat up or harassed because I was Jewish. One day I discovered there was a student named Max Cohen. He was the biggest guy in the school. He passed the word that anyone who picked on me had to fight him. So for about a year, until he left town, no one bothered me. The fact that he was Jewish really impacted my life at that time.
Through my years of being Bar Mitzvah, growing up, serving two tours in the Air Force and graduating college, I never thought much of the impact of Judaism on my life - at least in a positive way.
As I grew older, I began to realize the importance to me of being Jewish. What became even more important to me was, what I could personally do for the perpetuation of Judaism.
I felt that it was imperative for me to be a "Good" Jew. Rabbi Stahl covered this subject in his serrnon last night. To me, this meant leading an exemplary life in A of its many ways, as an example to my loving children. The word Mitzvah, now pronounced Mitzvot, became part of my life. Fortunately, I had the total support of a wonderful wife, Helene.
As I became more and more involved with charitable and civic organizations, I realized that in most instances, Jewish people did their share or more.
The Anti-Defarnation League - ADL - is an important organization that I have been active with for a number of years. Carl Wulfe is on the Board of Trustees and the local chairman. I became very aware that anti-Semitism was alive and well in too many places.
After three years of decline, ADL's 1998 audit indicates a slight increase in anti-Semitic incidents in the United States. Recent, terrible examples include the bombings of the Synagogues, and the rampage at the Jewish Day Care Center in L.A. We cannot and should not be complacent about any type of anti-Semitism.
In Rabbi Stahl's excellent serrnon on Rosh Hashanah, he traced the history and evolution of anti-Semitism very extensively. He said that in San Antonio, Jews are not excluded from membership in any club or in any neighborhood that we want to live in. San Antonio is a great city.
But this is not necessarily true all over this country. Did you know that there are about 500 different hate groups that blanket America? Some of these groups pose as respected all-American organizations.
Each of us must be vigilant and willing to contest and expose all hate groups. No matter which minority they specifically discriminate against - they are all anti-Semitic and hate us.
The impact of Judaism on my life affects my relationship with the "Almighty." I have often wondered, but never asked, if I am different from most people in that I have daily acknowledgments of God. I am not talking about daily prayers or attending religious services on a daily basis, what I am talking about is how many times each day I say "Thank you, God" or "Please, God". Depending on the day, it may happen 10 or 15 times.
Because I am Jewish, I feel good when I hear about Jewish people doing good things or being honored or recognized for something beneficial to mankind. Conversely, I feel sad when I hear or see news about Jewish people doing something bad.
Recently, in an Ann Landers column, she repeated a column that originally appeared in July 1981. I quote from this article. "It's a free world. You don't have to like Jews if you don't want to, but if you are going to be an anti-Semite, you should be consistent and turn your back on the medical advances that Jews made possible."
I am talking about the vaccine for hepatitis, discovered by Baruch Blumberg, the Wasserman test for syphilis, developed by August Von Wasserman, and the first effective drug to fight syphilis developed by Paul Ehrlich. Bela Schick developed the diagnostic skin test for diptheria.
Insulin would not have been discovered if Oskar Minkowski had not demonstrated the link between diabetes and the pancreas.
It was Burrill Crohn who identified this disease that bears his name.
Alfred Hess discovered that vitamin C could cure scurvy.
Casimir Funk was the first to use vitamin B to treat beri-beri.
Jonas Salk developed the first polio vaccine, and later Albert Sabin developed the oral version.
Continuing with the quote, "humanitarianism requires that we offer these gifts to all the people of the world, regardless of race, color, or creed. So, the anti-Semites who don't want to accept these gifts can go ahead and turn them down, but I'm warning them, you aren't going to feel so good" - end of quote.
The continuity of Judaism was impacted by the establishment of the state of Israel. Unfortunately, Israel continues to be dependent on help from our great country, the United States. That is why it is important for us to do whatever we can to help persuade the United States Congress to vote for foreign aid, including aid to Israel. Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Foreign Operation Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2000 by a record vote of 385-35. Fifty-two representatives voted for foreign aid for the first time, including all 43 freshmen members.
However, for the first time in years, an amendment was offered to cut Israel's aid specifically. Fortunately, the amendment was soundly defeated 414-13.
All of you should know how your members of Congress voted on all foreign aid legislation and legislation affecting Israel.
More of us should be involved in the political process, starting at the grass roots level. If you want to have access to a member of Congress, he or she should know you. They will know you, if you have helped them get elected.
One of the leading organizations that I have been involved with for many years is the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, commonly known as AIPAC. According to the New York Times, it is the most important organization affecting America's relationship with Israel. AIPAC continues to do the most to help convince Congress to vote for foreign aid and many other pieces of legislation favorable to Israel.
Although the safety and continuity of the State of Israel is of primary concern, I have another list of issues that are important to me and hopefully to most of you. This includes SEPARATION of CHURCH and STATE, ORGANIZED PRAYER in PUBLIC SCHOOLS, and WOMEN'S RIGHTS, including CHOICE. When you have access to your member of Congress, you can discuss your concerns and help make good legislation.
I have touched upon a few areas involving the impact of Judaism on my life. Hopefullly, it will help with your thinking. This means being pro-active in helping to fight anti-Semitism. It means not only voting, but getting to know elected officials and letting them know how you feel. We can all help make the difference. And, most importantly, converse with our God. He will listen.
Thank you very much for your time. Good yontif.
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