JGA July-August 09 - The Jewish Georgian

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Page 8 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN July-August 2009 4455 Roswell Road Atlanta, Georgia 30342 404-255-4312 www.presstine.com Upon my honor, I will try A friend brought me a delicious casserole that tasted even better than it looked, and she hit not only my taste buds but also my heartstrings when she said, “This is a Girl Scout dish, and I knew you were an old Girl Scout and would appreciate it. We were taught to wrap all of the layers in aluminum foil and take it on our hike and cook it over hot coals.” I said, “Lordy, chile, there was no such thing as aluminum foil when I was a scout.” There were my early childhood years, when I just dreamed of being a Girl Scout. We didn’t have Brownies and might never have had a scout troop if one of the schoolteachers hadn’t become interested because of her daughter. And then, for the rest of my grammar and high school days (almost), I was first a Girl Scout and then a person. My whole world became organized around the olive green of the uniform and the three fingers held high in a pledge. It was all-important: the merit badges, passing the tests, the hikes, the camping, the projects; and I adored it. My friends adored it, and we became even closer friends. But here comes a “however”: Although my fondest memories involve being a scout, and we were all so appreciative of our leader, who gave unmeasured time, she was a stern lady, unyielding and unforgiving. She preached to us constantly about the evils and sins of the world, such as speaking to a male classmate as he rode by on his bike. Her assistant was warmer and laughed more easily, but our leader was a forceful disciplinarian. We were innocent children and needed to learn discipline mainly as it involved our natural surroundings. She was fearless in those times when you could afford to be, and we experienced many wondrous things. We should not have been surprised when the day came that she announced, as we stood at attention, that, since her daughter was finishing school that spring, she would no longer be our scout leader. Her assistant could not take on the responsibility. We cried and wandered the residential streets, going in and calling, unannounced, on those ladies we thought might adopt us. Sympathetic ears all, but no one wanted such a commitment. We had been blessed with our stern mistress; it was too much to hope that she might have mellowed like Mr. Belvedere. BY Shirley Friedman A lifetime later (actually only eight years), I returned to my high school as a teacher and had the most wonderful students possible. One afternoon after classes, a group of young girls came to my room and said, “Our scout leader had to quit. Will you take us?” Deja vu! I pressed my lips together and tried to blink away the tears. I said, “Let me tell you a little story about what happened when I was your age, and you’ll know why I can’t possibly say ‘No’ to you.” I said “yes,” and, once again, scouting became an important part of my life. I was there only a year, and we didn’t do as many outstanding things as I had done under my efficient leader, whom I could not duplicate. I was many years younger and not nearly as brilliant. But we were properly organized, our activities were well-planned and controlled, and we had some wonderful, wonderful times. My last memory was of winding up in the hospital with a terrible ear infection from swimming in a “not too clear” pond. Many, many years later, I went down home for the centennial of our town. At a reception, I was talking to a young friend who is a mountain climber of great note. I told her how thrilled and astounded I was at her prowess. “Well, you got me started,” she said. My husband spilled his punch and lifted an eyebrow. “But,” I said, “I could never climb a mountain.” She said, “Don’t you remember all of the great hikes we took when you were our scout leader? I just loved them, and that’s what made me become interested in mountain climbing.” That one remark was worth the ear infection and all of the weekends spent camping and hiking instead of partying or sleeping late. Here’s to Juliette Low and hiking and cooking on coals (and aluminum foil!)— and to love and warmth and understanding, mixed with merit badges.
July-August 2009 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 9 No sanction to bigotry, no assistance to persecution T his is the month we celebrate the anniversary of the establishment of the United States as an independent, sover- eign nation. This holiday also is a reminder to us as Jews to take time to recall our good fortune in being granted citizenship in this wonderful country and to rejoice in the many privileges and opportunities that have flowed to us from this citizenship. There is nothing more symbolic of our membership in the citizenship fold of the United States than the historic Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island. This structure is home to Congregation Jeshuat Israel, a small Orthodox congregation. This is the same congregation that erected this building, the oldest Jewish synagogue building still standing in the country and the only such pre- Revolutionary structure that survives. In 1790, Moses Seixas, the synagogue’s warden, wrote to President George Washington words that still ring true today. The following is an excerpt from this letter: “Deprived as we heretofore have been of the invaluable rights of free Citizens, we now with a deep sense of gratitude to the Almighty disposer of all events behold a Government, erected by the Majesty of the People—a Government, which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance—but generously affording to all Liberty of conscience, and immunities of Citizenship: deeming every one, of whatever Nation, tongue, or language equal parts of the great governmental BY Marvin Botnick Machine. This so ample and extensive Federal Union whose basis is Philanthropy, Mutual confidence and Public Virtue, we cannot but acknowledge to be the work of the Great God, who ruleth in the Armies of Heaven, and among the Inhabitants of the Earth, doing whatever seemeth him good. “For all these Blessings of civil and reli- Touro Synagogue gious liberty which we enjoy under an equal benign administration, we desire to send up our thanks to the Ancient of Days, the great preserver of Men—beseeching him, that the Angel who conducted our forefathers through the wilderness into the promised Land, may graciously conduct you through all the difficulties and dangers of this mortal life. And, when, like Joshua full of days and full of honour, you are gathered to your Fathers, may you be admitted into the Heavenly Paradise to partake of the water of life, and the tree of immortality.” It was to this letter that President Washington, a year before the Bill of Rights AAA Travel Agency is the largest leisure travel agency in the country. We are in YOUR neighborhood! Authentic cultural experiences • Guaranteed departures 100% refundable • $100 Deposit • Visa costs included Travel Insurance included • Small escorted group or private guide independent “Into Peru” 10 days from $2799 “All Aboard Italy” 7 days from $2499 “Treasures of Moracco” 9 days from $3599 “Marvels of Egypt and Nile” 9 days from $3399 “Into Jordan and Israel” 11 days from $3499 “Splendor of China” 10 days from $1999 RSVP for luncheon on August 6 to learn and deposit your AAA Exclusive Vacation 770-565-5700 Sandy Springs / Buckhead 4540B Roswell Rd Atlanta, Ga 30342 404 843 4500 was ratified, replied with what is now his famous letter and one of the most important documents in American history. In this simple, unique response, the guarantee was enunciated that the new nation would be a place of religious freedom, where no creed would be persecuted. The following is a portion of this document: “...the Government of the United States...gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance...May the children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and figtree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.” For those of us who have lived in this great nation and been the beneficiaries of a society that has given voice to words of President Washington, it is hard to really appreciate how radically progressive was such a position. Let us not forget that it was the pain, suffering, and subjugation of the Inquisition that drove the first Jewish settlers to America, some of whom were the very people that founded the Newport congregation. As we celebrate our nation’s 233rd birthday, let us be true to our commandment, “justice, justice shall thou pursue,” and forcefully supportive of the rights of all humans. East Cobb / Marietta 4140 Roswell Rd Marietta, GA 30062 770 565 5700 Rates based on double occupancy. Other restrictions may apply. Call for details.
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