Wonderings 10 Jewish Heroes
The first night of Hanukkah is November 28 - just a few days after Thanksgiving!
I spoke about Hanukkah today for a recording of the program "About Faith" which will air on Red River Radio later this month. Actually, there is one I am on about "Grateful Heart" that will air 1pm Sunday, November 7, and the one I recorded today will air 1pm Sunday, November 21. Today's program included Father Jason Foster (an Orthodox priest) who spoke about his pre-Christmas traditions they will observe this month, Ashish Modi, who spoke about the origins and symbolism of the Hindu holiday of Diwali (which is going on now), and I spoke about Hanukkah.
Having to tell the Hanukkah story this many weeks before the holiday made me think about Jewish heroes. Many people include the Maccabees among the historical Jewish heroes. I told the story (although I think I forgot to mention her name) of Judith who used salty cheese and wine to defeat the enemy commander.
This week I am wondering who do you consider to be a Jewish hero? Is there anyone who you met, or someone from history, or who you know about but have not met who has inspired you? It could be from politics, the military, sports, entertainment, your family, a special rabbi... anyone. I would love to know who inspires you and why. Please let me know who is (or who are) your Jewish Hero(es).
Responses:
I'm not easily impressed or influenced. Having said that when my wife and I visited Normandy (France, not the apartments on Fern), and I saw all the Stars of David I wanted to put a stone and say a prayer of THANKS to each buried soul. Everyone of them was a hero. Everyone of them participated in an act I doubt I would have been brave enough to commit to. I cannot express the emotions. All who are buried there and across Europe; my wife's Uncle in Belgium amongst them, should never be forgotten. I was proud to see the Stars of David. Our guild told us all Jews who visited felt the same. My expression is not meant nor intended to diminish the contribution of those beneath the crosses. [J]
Golda Meir has inspired me since I first learned about her. I am sorry that I never got to meet her on my trips to Israel though I did get to meet Moshe Dayan when I went to his house for dinner and to see his collection of mummies. [S]
There are many people I look up to, but there are two I really appreciate and am in awe of their accomplishments. The first was known to me, Rabbi Lefkowitz. He was such a nice, kind, and strong man with the strength of his convictions. I don't think I've ever met a kinder man. He really epitomized the term "gentleman." He always rallied around his people (members) in a protective manner. I am so glad I was able to meet he and his wife and get to know them. Both of them were serene and had a very comforting aura that surrounded them. The other one I do not know personally. I have only read about Gertrude Elion. I often wonder how different things may have been if my older brother had been born a little later. It's highly likely he would have benefitted from her discoveries. He suffered with childhood leukemia, and I developed lupus and diabetes. Gertrude Elion developed the first chemotherapy drug for childhood leukemia as well as treatments for lupus, immunosuppressant drugs that helped with kidney and other organ transplants. She also developed antiviral medicines and treatments for arthritis, hepatitis, gout, herpes, malaria, AIDS and other diseases. Because of her discoveries, she won the Nobel Prize for medicine. She was very close to her grandfather who died of stomach cancer and this motivated her to pursue a science career, in an effort to alleviate human suffering. She received many letters from patients who had benefitted from her discoveries. Ms. Elion said these letters meant more to her than any prize. It's also pertinent to note she embarked on this career at a time when women were not welcome in science. Gertrude Elion truly accomplished her mission, alleviating human suffering. Even though she passed away in 1999, her discoveries continue to help people today. To me, she is a real heroine. May her name be a blessing. [E]
My Zayda is my hero. He left Vistipovich Russia alone traveling to the U.S. The country's quota was filled , so he was sent to Cuba for three years before getting to the states. He had very little formal education, but he was a reader: Yiddish, Hebrew and English papers. He worked hard to keep his family of five children fed during the Depression. He was very handy. Anything needed fixing, he could do it. He was also an accomplished carpenter. As a young man, he worked when he was needed. As soon as he retired, he practiced Judaism as he had always wanted. If it was too cold for him to walk the six blocks he davened at home. We lived upstairs and each morning before leaving for school I went down to wish him a good morning and kiss him goodbye. He was honored by Rabbi Twerski while he was in his sixties. This man loved his family dearly. When my Bubbie could no longer wash the floors, he would get on his hands on knees to help her out. This wonderful man is my hero and still remembered and loved. [M]
My hero was Golda Meir. She was one of the most influential people of her time. She was true to her faith, her people, and the state of Israel. Israel was lucky to have such a wonderful and inspiring woman! [B]