KADDISHEL
A Life Reborn
is, in my view, unacceptable, including the Jewish extreme. In the long run, the Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Jews will man- age to find a way to live together. At present, the Orthodox faction dominates the Israeli religious establishment, but Conservative, Reform, and secular Judaism should also have a place, including the right to help determine the country’s direction. All segments of a society should be recognized as legitimate and viable. It is my hope that the Jews spread across the world in the Diaspora will gradually make their homes in Israel. If my grand- children were to decide to move to Israel, Ruth and I would prob- ably move with them. I still think about returning to Israel, but my children and grandchildren live in the United States and my wife’s extended family is here. Living near family is important and pre- cious to me. I am concerned about Israel’s safety and contribute beyond my means to the United Jewish Appeal and other Jewish organizations. My hand shakes if I have to throw out a request for a contribution from a good cause. I have been a UJA volunteer, soliciting con- tributions from larger donors for the past twenty years. I do this because I feel it is my obligation. The UJA was instrumental in helping Jews get out of the Soviet Union. I participated in rallies and wrote letters to legislators urg- ing the United States to put pressure on Russia to free the Jews. It took many years, but eventually the Soviets relented and released people. Ben and Cindy were also active in campaigns on behalf of Soviet Jewry. Ben raised enough money among his professional colleagues to pay for the complete flight of a 747 jet from Moscow to Israel; it carried more than four hundred people. That flight alone cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. And this occurred during the time that Iraq was attacking Israel with Scud missiles. I believe that we learn from the personal example set by those within our families. The person who had the greatest influence on me was my father. He was my idol, a courteous, charitable man with a deep respect for others. He was a wonderful father and a wonderful
238
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online