I was reviewing (the unfinished) manuscript of my book on small business leadership and found this short piece I had written for a friend’s book four  years ago.   A piece that needed a little updating- but with a message that’s critical for us all.

Snippets from memories as a child:

My bay window smashed- often.

Walking in the forest behind my house- and being surrounded by six or seven older kids.  More than once- way more than once.  For the same reason.

A neighbor- Joe Krauss- across the street- who came over to help- often.  One of the few neighbors to stand up to these antics.

A friend- with a funny sounding name (it sounded Italian, but he was a Spanish Marrano)- who did not want me to tell others about him.  They didn’t know he really was Jewish, too.

New York suburbs- yes, that New York- where you find yourself the only family among hundreds (almost thousands)- that is Jewish.  Everyone else- Roman Catholic.  Irish or Italian.  Who, with very few exceptions, also go to private school, too.  And, are taught in those schools that you killed their god.  And, that you are their enemy.

I won’t go into the theological concept of how a god can die (unless you want to believe in mythology). I’m sorry if this offends you, but it has always been a major question to me.  And, why folks who hate me so much forget that this person they adore was probably the very first Reform Jew.  Whose followers, like the practitioners of yet another religion, converted him (and probably made up great stories), after he was dead.

Those events molded me.  I was faced with these instances every single day of my life from when I was a little more than 2 until I was a few months shy of my bar mitzva.  It was when Long Island  had potato farms in Suffolk County and a few big towns and small villages in Nassau County.  During those years, the area became a defense establishment heaven (long before these high tech activities moved to Silicon Valley and the two beltways (metro DC and Boston), forever changing the complexion of the two Long Island counties.

Where the Nazi party reigned supreme (until it finally disappeared by the mid-1950’s).  Where a putsch hall was taken over by the local government, who let it become converted to a synagogue in 1951.  That was the synagogue of my youth.

This upbringing also solidified my beliefs.  If folks could hate me so much for what they thought I thought- shouldn’t I be positive in what it is for which I stand?  Should I not affirm these beliefs each and every day?  (If they plan to hurt/kill me for those credos, what’s the point if I don’t live those ideals in the first place?)

It’s also why I feel, no I know – in every fiber of my body- the anguish of the dispossessed, the discriminated.  It’s why I knew that Civil Rights were a critical issue.  Which in the 50’s and 60’s was the issue of Jews AND Blacks.  Together.  Until it wasn’t.

Why two Jewish guys decided to model their ideal world using Jewish themes.  Which underpinning roots most folks never understood.  The Daily Planet (examine the original N.Y.  Daily News  headquarters).  Smallville (I know it was supposed to be middle America- but that was Long Island in the 30’s and 40’s.)  Kal-El, Jor-El –  all Jewish names.

Truth, Justice, and the American Way.   I grew up believing that they were synonymous.  As it states in the Tora- Justice, Justice, you SHALL pursue.  Two witnesses- not one, required for judgment.  Help the poor, the weak, the invalid.  It’s not an eye FOR an eye, but an eye in place of an eye- which means financial compensation.

Now, I know there are many who try to subvert those teachings.  They try to keep things as follows: Truth for the rich, Justice for those with money to pay for it, and the American Way is to extend and expand those (subverted) truths.  Unless people like me- and, hopefully, you, as well- stop them.    And, not just in and for America- but for the entire world.

That has to be our mission.  No matter what our religion.  The beauty of difference is that we can all be different- yet work together for the common goal- to make this world better for each and every one of us.

That’s my prayer each and every day.  One I’m sharing right before Rosh Hashana- the Jewish New Year.  Because it’s time- not just for me, not just for the Jews- for each and every one of us.

I won’t be publishing any blogs for the next few days.  L’shana Tova Tikatevu.   May you be inscribed for the best year possible.

 

It is also time to recall that 14 years ago, on this very day, some 3000 Americans- of all religions, of different heritages- were murdered simply because they were thought to believe in the American Way.  Remember how you thought that very moment you heard.