November 13, 2008
The election of Sen. Barack Obama as president-elect was a watershed event in the history of the United States of America. His election to our nation’s highest office is a testimony to the high ideals on which this country was founded.
The day after this remarkable event I needed to look at my calendar for a meeting for the following week. Suddenly I noticed that Sunday, Nov. 9, marked the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, in Germany.
Kristallnacht symbolizes the beginning of the Holocaust. As a child of Holocaust survivors whose parents experienced this horrible night, I could not help but consider how far we have come and what a wonderful country America is. Germany and the world were gripped in a terrible economic depression 70 years ago. Germany chose a demagogue as a leader to deal with its challenges.
On Nov. 4, 2008, 70 years later, America and the world finds itself in an economic recession. It would have been easy for us to hide behind our fears and elect someone based on fear and prejudice. Instead, Americans in an overwhelming manner elected a man whose ancestors suffered hatred and discrimination for 200 years solely on account of their race. We truly live in a special country.
President-elect Obama will certainly have enormous challenges as he assumes office. As Sen. John McCain so eloquently stated in his concession speech, now is the time for all Americans to unite behind our president-elect.
For several weeks the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey has been working behind the scenes with our partner agencies and synagogue leadership to assess the economic impact in our community and worldwide.
We know that demand for the Jewish Family Service Kosher Food Pantry has increased from 60 people per month to 170 people, who now depend on these food packages to eat.
In addition, for the past two months at least another 10 people have come to the office requiring emergency assistance.
Since school began in September, parents of day school students who previously did not require scholarship assistance have been forced to contact the school telling them they have lost their jobs and can no longer pay the tuition. At the Green Lane Y and JCC, a day does not pass without members calling staff to inform them that they cannot pay their membership.
In Israel, the recent rockets attacks in Sderot have once again highlighted the fact that many children require counseling to deal with posttraumatic stress. The federation is committed to maintaining the viability of our community here, in Israel, and worldwide, wherever Jews live through these difficult challenging times.
This past week we had the privilege of reading the Torah portion Lech Lecha, where we are introduced to Abraham. The Talmud in the tractate Sukka comments that Abraham is called nadiv, or generous one, because he selflessly gave his heart to God, and that the B’nai Israel, the Children of Israel, are known by the collective term bat nadiv, or daughter of the generous one, in Abraham’s honor. The root of nadiv, N-D-V, refers to generosity and volunteering, offering to give oneself beyond the call of duty.
How timely and important is this message as our country begins a new chapter with a new leader. Sen. Obama in his acceptance speech told us that the road ahead will not be easy. We in this community have a rich tradition of coming together and somehow finding the way to give of ourselves, be it our time or money, to ensure that we meet the needs of those less fortunate.
Like our forefather Avraham, let us rededicate ourselves to the principles that Abraham stood for — tzedaka, hesed, and nedivut; giving, kindness, and generosity.
Stanley H. Stone is the executive vice president of the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey.
Comment: comments@njjewishnews.com
