The great Civil War general according to his wife Julia issued an 'obnoxious' order expelling Jewish citizens from the general's war zone. His general order no. 11 became an infamous rallying point for the American Jewish community to accuse U. S. Grant of prejudice against the Jewish people. In Professor's Sarna's new book one reads a great narrative that rehabilitates Grant. One sees that Grant overcame his blunder and went on appoint more Jewish people during his administration that ever before.
General Grant became frustrated with speculators and opportunists that exploited the changes in prices between the North and South. Many of the those traders were Jewish merchants and the General banned the Jews as a "class" of people. It was an outrageous charge, a generalization that could not possibly reflect the whole truth.
In reading this history, I was reminded of a theme mentioned by Rabbi Chaim Dov Rabbinovitz from his The History of the Jewish People, that Jewish heroism comes out of anonymity. One anonymous Jew, named Cesar Kaskel, an immigrant from Germany dwelling in Paducah, Kentucky was issued the order having to leave the department within 48 hours. Kaskel went straight to Washington DC to appeal to President Lincoln! He was not a famous rabbi or personality, only a simple person feeling the absolute injustice of the order. The famous rabbi sees the president only later after the president rescinded the order.
This volume is a wonderful introduction to 19th century American Jewry where one is introduced to many major figures: Isaac M. Wise, Isaac Leeser, the Seligmann brothers, Simon Wolf and others. We understand the empathy of Abraham Lincoln, moreover, we see Grant make great efforts to overcome his blunder and make long lasting relationships among the Jewish community. The volume is a testament to this country's commitment to civil rights and liberties and how the Jewish people fit into its fabric.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Righteous Victims: A history of the Zionist-Arab conflict 1881-2001 By Benny Morris
If one would have an ax to grind against Zionism, Benny Morris' fine history could be easily taken out of context and misused to slam some famous Zionists. In this hefty well written and well researched book one finds Ben Gurion opining for 'transfer' and Begin not wanting to give up an inch of Judea and Samaria. We find Sharon instilling fear in his opponents because of his successful career as a soldier. We read of Rabin being dressed down by his mentor Ben Gurion and about the courage of Ehud Barack for willing to deal and attempt to make peace with Arafat.
Morris sets out by explaining his unique approach: he will rely on the narratives and sources that are available to him and attempt to use their voice. This could explain why the Palestinian narrative sounds sympathetic. The author is less critical of Arafat then some of the Zionist counterparts. His theme assumes that both sides have legitimate claims. Both sides have righteous victims.
Morris deals with many questions that have become flashpoints in the conflict. For example, he discusses the dispossession of Palestinians. He clarifies that the process of Jewish colonization of the Land Israel in the beginning was not a typical imperialistic push for conquest. The evidence is very clear that the Zionists legally purchased land from absentee owners, much of it swamp without dispossession. He mentions tenant farmers being legally terminated, however, the real dispossession of people did not occur until the War of Independence clearly initiated by invading truculent irredentist Arab neighbors. War creates refugees. (Israel's founding includes the absorption of Jewish refugees.) Curiously the concept of Pan Arab-ism does not allow the absorption of Arab refugees to neighboring countries due to Arab irredentism and intransigence, a strident attitude not to compromise.
What I find extraordinary are Morris' concluding remarks. As a critical historian with great ability to appreciate nuance and subtlety, he calls the Zionist enterprise nothing less than 'miraculous'! He marvels at the speed, success and contribution of the State of Israel and concludes that it is Israel that is winning this conflict without predicting the future. When the opportunities have presented themselves for peace, it has been the Palestinians who have allowed them to pass by. The Israelis, however, may moan and groan but they make peace.
Morris sets out by explaining his unique approach: he will rely on the narratives and sources that are available to him and attempt to use their voice. This could explain why the Palestinian narrative sounds sympathetic. The author is less critical of Arafat then some of the Zionist counterparts. His theme assumes that both sides have legitimate claims. Both sides have righteous victims.
Morris deals with many questions that have become flashpoints in the conflict. For example, he discusses the dispossession of Palestinians. He clarifies that the process of Jewish colonization of the Land Israel in the beginning was not a typical imperialistic push for conquest. The evidence is very clear that the Zionists legally purchased land from absentee owners, much of it swamp without dispossession. He mentions tenant farmers being legally terminated, however, the real dispossession of people did not occur until the War of Independence clearly initiated by invading truculent irredentist Arab neighbors. War creates refugees. (Israel's founding includes the absorption of Jewish refugees.) Curiously the concept of Pan Arab-ism does not allow the absorption of Arab refugees to neighboring countries due to Arab irredentism and intransigence, a strident attitude not to compromise.
What I find extraordinary are Morris' concluding remarks. As a critical historian with great ability to appreciate nuance and subtlety, he calls the Zionist enterprise nothing less than 'miraculous'! He marvels at the speed, success and contribution of the State of Israel and concludes that it is Israel that is winning this conflict without predicting the future. When the opportunities have presented themselves for peace, it has been the Palestinians who have allowed them to pass by. The Israelis, however, may moan and groan but they make peace.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Lies my Teacher Told me: Everything Your American History textbook got wrong by James W. Loewen
The first half of this book was fascinating in evaluating High School American History books and takes on the 18th and 19th centuries by showing that most Histories fail miserably in discussing the truth about Native Americans. The concept of Manifest Destiny really meant the decimation of Native Americans. Native Americans were wrongfully called "savages" and were really responsible for European settlement survival.
The author is brutal against patriotic textbooks at the expense of accuracy and truth. When the author discusses the 20th century, however, I felt there seemed to be a bias in favor of Democratic administrations. For example, JFK's flaws are revealed almost grudgingly. The author believes in the class struggle of the poor against the rich but does not touch upon how the Asian or Jewish immigrant communities brought themselves out of poverty.
The author also questions the American Foreign policy and believes that Middle east hatred would be due to the America/ Israel alliance. Unfortunately, like so many Americans, there is a lack of understanding of the relationship of the Islam and the West. For example, since the founding of the Marine Corps during the time of Thomas Jefferson, the USA has confronted a hostile Middle East. Thinking that Israel is the problem is far too simplistic and historically not true. According to the scholarship of Bernard Lewis Islam's relationship toward the West and Christendom should be understood as a percolation toward conquest.
I thought the book was provocative and has taught me to be more skeptical and cautious in teaching history texts. One always has to look for bias and attitude; there is no such history text that is "objective" including this one!
The author is brutal against patriotic textbooks at the expense of accuracy and truth. When the author discusses the 20th century, however, I felt there seemed to be a bias in favor of Democratic administrations. For example, JFK's flaws are revealed almost grudgingly. The author believes in the class struggle of the poor against the rich but does not touch upon how the Asian or Jewish immigrant communities brought themselves out of poverty.
The author also questions the American Foreign policy and believes that Middle east hatred would be due to the America/ Israel alliance. Unfortunately, like so many Americans, there is a lack of understanding of the relationship of the Islam and the West. For example, since the founding of the Marine Corps during the time of Thomas Jefferson, the USA has confronted a hostile Middle East. Thinking that Israel is the problem is far too simplistic and historically not true. According to the scholarship of Bernard Lewis Islam's relationship toward the West and Christendom should be understood as a percolation toward conquest.
I thought the book was provocative and has taught me to be more skeptical and cautious in teaching history texts. One always has to look for bias and attitude; there is no such history text that is "objective" including this one!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Blessing of a Skinned Knee and Blessings of a B- by Wendy Mogel, Phd.
Although there is some solid psychology and some good advice in these books, I can't recommend them. I had serious problems with the author's methodology. She brings an array of opinions that comes off more as a hodge-podge than a systematic study of Jewish sources. What she cites is often only what she can tolerate (example: Traditional Judaism is generally good like Shabbos dinner; yet the role of the woman she can't see bringing into her home for her daughters.) She does not hesitate to cite Abraham Twersky, Miriam Adahan, and Mordechai Finley (a Reform rabbi from LA) in the same breath! She can cite Chazal along with the gentile British psychologist Winnencott as if there is parity!! Her chapter on G-d was for me absolute rubbish! There is no reason to mention Jesus in a book that showcases rabbinic ideas no matter how cute the quote is from a child! Most of the chapter discussed doubt about G-d and even justified questioning G-d's existence as if somehow that was a Jewish tradition! All of her issues about Judaism come out in this book when read carefully. I see much Southern California hang ups in it. The book would have been better if it would have reflected Yiras Shomayim, fear of Heaven! But there was NONE.
This book was written by someone whose own practice as a therapist plunged her into crisis and instead of finding a solution to her problems as a therapist changed course and now lectures as "an expert" so she does not have to suffer actual and real problems of children! She justifies what she does by calling it "preventative mental health." It is not preventative mental health but rather parent education pure and simple!! She has to somehow relate what she does now to her former practice as a therapist! She is being highfalutin by calling parent education as preventative mental health. I would rather recommend Twersky, Adahan or even Winnecott over this book and certainly not any sequel because at least I know that with those other authors I am getting a consistent message.
Nevertheless, the sequel is just as painful to read because of the mistakes in Jewish tradition like informing us that the mitzva of taking the lulav is at night! She utilizes a famous rabbinic trait of citing the source from whom she heard the story, however, to cite a story from the public domain in the name of a particular Rabbi gives the incorrect impression that the rabbi is the original source of the story.
As I said from the outset, the simple psychology in the books is solid; it's common sense: allow your children to learn from their mistakes and experiences and don't shelter them so much. Allow them to experience the consequences of their actions so that they may learn from them. The books' uniqueness of citing the Rabbinic wisdom on the subject is, however, disappointing to one familiar with the tradition.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Out of the Depths by the former Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Israel Meir Lau
I just finished reading an extraordinary memoir by Rabbi Israel Meir Lau. He is a 38th generation rabbi, and the youngest liberated holocaust survivor of Auschwitz. Out of the Depths is unique, not like other holocaust stories. Rabbi Lau does not solely rely on his recollections. He includes his recollections along with other corroborating testimonies from other people who witnessed the same scene. His story is heroic with real life heroes like his brother Naftali who was charged with taking care of his younger brother during the war. "Tulek" carried his younger brother "Lulek" in a sack to hide him in the various camps. Or the non-Jewish Russian, Feodor who looked after "Lulek" in the barracks. The story is a record of indomitable spirit and a determination to carry on the Jewish tradition and the family tradition to be a rabbi.
The memoir is a description of how Rabbi Lau arrived in Israel before the State was founded and how he was educated and trained by great rabbinic personalities like his uncle Rabbi Vogelman and the Torah giant Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach. The reader discovers how orphans of the holocaust were treated with sensitivity and care in the yeshiva world.
We are introduced to the experiences of what it means to be a rabbi, ministering to all types of people. With the Chief Rabbi, we discover the many public figures who interacted. We learn that he ministered to Yitzchak Rabin and Shimon Peres. We are informed that the former Pope John Paul (of Polish origin) refused to baptize Jewish children who were living with Catholic families during the war. We learn about the moral integrity and courage of King Hussein of Jordan and how he appreciated the Chief Rabbi's visit during his cancer treatments in America. Fidel Castro claimed not to be an anti-Semite agreeing to import matzo to Cuba for Passover.
The truth is that this book kept my eyes moist because the reader is told about countless trials and tribulations of individuals and how these amazing people survived under the most difficult conditions without losing faith. As a matter of fact the whole book is a lesson in faith, a lesson in Torah to look with optimism in the face of calamity. The last image of the book is very profound: Rabbi Lau writes that he is very proud of his "personal" Hanukkah Menorah- he sees that his wife is the base, the foundation, his 8 children are the lights, the candles and he is fortunate enough to be the "Gabbai" the one that guides the candles. When the Jewish tradition is carried forth into the future with "Kol Torah" Torah talk and holy Talmudic discussion then there is proof that the perpetrators of the holocaust failed in their mission.
The memoir is a description of how Rabbi Lau arrived in Israel before the State was founded and how he was educated and trained by great rabbinic personalities like his uncle Rabbi Vogelman and the Torah giant Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach. The reader discovers how orphans of the holocaust were treated with sensitivity and care in the yeshiva world.
We are introduced to the experiences of what it means to be a rabbi, ministering to all types of people. With the Chief Rabbi, we discover the many public figures who interacted. We learn that he ministered to Yitzchak Rabin and Shimon Peres. We are informed that the former Pope John Paul (of Polish origin) refused to baptize Jewish children who were living with Catholic families during the war. We learn about the moral integrity and courage of King Hussein of Jordan and how he appreciated the Chief Rabbi's visit during his cancer treatments in America. Fidel Castro claimed not to be an anti-Semite agreeing to import matzo to Cuba for Passover.
The truth is that this book kept my eyes moist because the reader is told about countless trials and tribulations of individuals and how these amazing people survived under the most difficult conditions without losing faith. As a matter of fact the whole book is a lesson in faith, a lesson in Torah to look with optimism in the face of calamity. The last image of the book is very profound: Rabbi Lau writes that he is very proud of his "personal" Hanukkah Menorah- he sees that his wife is the base, the foundation, his 8 children are the lights, the candles and he is fortunate enough to be the "Gabbai" the one that guides the candles. When the Jewish tradition is carried forth into the future with "Kol Torah" Torah talk and holy Talmudic discussion then there is proof that the perpetrators of the holocaust failed in their mission.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
The Warburgs by Ron Chernow
The illustrious history of the Hamburg banking family is chronicled in a hefty volume by Ron Chernow. The story is really an epic about the Jewish family of Hamburg's third largest bank. We learn of the trials and sacrifices the befell the Warburgs. We learn about the effects of assimilation of German Jewry, the attachment to Deutchland and the astonishment felt during the Nazi takeover. We discover the ill feelings between the Zionists and non Zionist Warburg family. It is also the story of the American Jewish community at a time when the banking firm, Kuhn Loeb reigned under the leadership of Jacob Schiff and then by his son-in-law Felix Warburg.
I found the relationship that Jacob Schiff maintained with Germany during WWI fascinating and that his position was heavily influenced not only because of his birthplace but also because he wanted to thwart the Anti-Jewish activity in Russia thus supporting the Japanese by underwriting loans to them. The marriage of his daughter, Freda to Felix Warburg help solidify a true internationalism in banking that was very common before the world was taken over by nationalism.
We are introduced to famous Jewish figures like Chaim Weizmann and David Ben Gurion. In the eyes of the Warburgs, these are negative characters because the Warburgs are unable to appreciate the value and need for a Jewish State. Their attachment to Germany and America cloud their understanding. Felix Warburg finds Ben Gurion too dogmatic and extreme to be a diplomat. He sees Weizmann smooth and highfalutin. We also find out that Weizmann carried on an affair with Eva Warburg. We find out that Weizmann really could not stand dealing with the wealthy non-Zionist Warburgs. He nevertheless put on the charm, persuading Felix Warburg to contribute to the cause of Zionism.
The most stunning part of this epic was how the Hamburg bank survived Naziism. Max Warburg could not believe that Hitler would last and continued to believe in Germany and its people. The Aryanization of the bank required a name change. The Warburgs called upon Dr. Rudolf Brinckmann to take over the Bank during the dark years of WWII. In public the Warburgs praised Brinckmann for leading the bank during those dark years. They defended him, never calling him a Nazi. During WWII, the Warburgs moved operations to London and New York. In Hamburg the bank was called Brinckmann and Wirtz & Co. What became quite curious was the fact that after the war Brinckmann refused to change the name of the bank back to Warburg. The 4 years of the war negated the 143 year history of the bank! Brinckmann did not seem to appreciate that his 4 years at the helm of the bank could not replace what the Warburgs accomplished over the years. It took Brinckmann's retirement and ultimately his death to add the original name to the bank.
Bringing the bank back to Germany was very important to the family because their attachment to Germany was absolute. The family was cultured and believed in German culture. Siegmund Warburg refused to condemn Germans. He was loyal to his homeland and made great attempts to forgive what happened there.
This was not true of the American branch. The Americans could not understand the attachment to Germany in light of what brutality took place there. There was, nevertheless, a great appreciation for America and we learn about the fact that Paul Warburg was really the author of the Federal Reserve.
One interested in Jewish history of the twentieth century should plow through this epic.
I found the relationship that Jacob Schiff maintained with Germany during WWI fascinating and that his position was heavily influenced not only because of his birthplace but also because he wanted to thwart the Anti-Jewish activity in Russia thus supporting the Japanese by underwriting loans to them. The marriage of his daughter, Freda to Felix Warburg help solidify a true internationalism in banking that was very common before the world was taken over by nationalism.
We are introduced to famous Jewish figures like Chaim Weizmann and David Ben Gurion. In the eyes of the Warburgs, these are negative characters because the Warburgs are unable to appreciate the value and need for a Jewish State. Their attachment to Germany and America cloud their understanding. Felix Warburg finds Ben Gurion too dogmatic and extreme to be a diplomat. He sees Weizmann smooth and highfalutin. We also find out that Weizmann carried on an affair with Eva Warburg. We find out that Weizmann really could not stand dealing with the wealthy non-Zionist Warburgs. He nevertheless put on the charm, persuading Felix Warburg to contribute to the cause of Zionism.
The most stunning part of this epic was how the Hamburg bank survived Naziism. Max Warburg could not believe that Hitler would last and continued to believe in Germany and its people. The Aryanization of the bank required a name change. The Warburgs called upon Dr. Rudolf Brinckmann to take over the Bank during the dark years of WWII. In public the Warburgs praised Brinckmann for leading the bank during those dark years. They defended him, never calling him a Nazi. During WWII, the Warburgs moved operations to London and New York. In Hamburg the bank was called Brinckmann and Wirtz & Co. What became quite curious was the fact that after the war Brinckmann refused to change the name of the bank back to Warburg. The 4 years of the war negated the 143 year history of the bank! Brinckmann did not seem to appreciate that his 4 years at the helm of the bank could not replace what the Warburgs accomplished over the years. It took Brinckmann's retirement and ultimately his death to add the original name to the bank.
Bringing the bank back to Germany was very important to the family because their attachment to Germany was absolute. The family was cultured and believed in German culture. Siegmund Warburg refused to condemn Germans. He was loyal to his homeland and made great attempts to forgive what happened there.
This was not true of the American branch. The Americans could not understand the attachment to Germany in light of what brutality took place there. There was, nevertheless, a great appreciation for America and we learn about the fact that Paul Warburg was really the author of the Federal Reserve.
One interested in Jewish history of the twentieth century should plow through this epic.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Morality for Muggles by Moshe Rosenberg
Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg has written a wonderful brief discussion of the values gleaned from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. The rabbi seamlessly connects the lessons of Harry Potter and their parallels to the Torah's tradition by citing Biblical, Midrashic and other rabbinical wisdom.
All the different themes like friendship, loyalty, and love (and more!) that manifest themselves through Harry, Ron and Hermione have counterparts in the Jewish Tradition like Moshe Rabbeinu, his brother Aaron and sister Miriam or King David and Yonatan and others!. Dark characters of Hogwarts are compared to Bilaam and King Shaul (after his jealousy sets in against David) and others in a very simple clear readable fashion. The rabbi even includes the insights of his students of the S.A.R Academy of Riverdale, NY.
I remember coming away with great satisfaction when I finished the series years ago; I was struck by the series' honest values and true psychological insights. As Rabbi Rosenberg aptly says, Harry Potter "fires" one's imagination. For Jewish Harry Potter fans interested in a springboard for discussion about possible Torah applications to what one gleans from J.K. Rowling's 7 part series, Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg has provided us with good one!
All the different themes like friendship, loyalty, and love (and more!) that manifest themselves through Harry, Ron and Hermione have counterparts in the Jewish Tradition like Moshe Rabbeinu, his brother Aaron and sister Miriam or King David and Yonatan and others!. Dark characters of Hogwarts are compared to Bilaam and King Shaul (after his jealousy sets in against David) and others in a very simple clear readable fashion. The rabbi even includes the insights of his students of the S.A.R Academy of Riverdale, NY.
I remember coming away with great satisfaction when I finished the series years ago; I was struck by the series' honest values and true psychological insights. As Rabbi Rosenberg aptly says, Harry Potter "fires" one's imagination. For Jewish Harry Potter fans interested in a springboard for discussion about possible Torah applications to what one gleans from J.K. Rowling's 7 part series, Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg has provided us with good one!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)