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Harry Cohen Is A Jewish
Hero On A Human Scale

DR. GARY A. TOBIN

PUBLISHER: Charles A. Buerger
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: Arthur M. Horwitz
EDITOR EMERITUS: Philip Slomovitz
EDITOR: Gary Rosenblatt
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Elie Wiesel
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© 1987 by The Detroit Jewish News (US PS 275-520)
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CANDLELIGHTING AT 4:54 P.M.

VOL. XC, NO. 19

Flirting With Democracy

This year marks the beginning of the third decade of Israeli control of the
West Bank. The past two decades have been troubling for both Israelis and
West Bank Palestinians. The Israeli presence has fostered a generation that
identifies themselves (whether consciously or not) as conquerors and victims.
The presence has not eased Israel's military burdens and it has certainly not
lessened the West Bank Palestinians' hatred of Israel.
And it has exacerbated the gaps that split Israeli society: Some Israelis
swear that settling the West Bank is the key to peace in the Mideast — or, at
least, to a stalemate in the region. Others are convinced that Israel's
relinquishment of the disputed land is the road to peace.
But there has been at least one unexpected consequence of the 20-year
presence. As painful as it has been for West Bank residents, many have come
to appreciate the democratic ideas and institutions which Israel embodies.
Despite the current rioting by West Bank teenagers, despite Israel's
censorship of West Bank newspapers and severe restrictions on West Bank
political activity, many residents of the West Bank are convinced that Israel's
political system is superior to that of their Arab neighbors.
This does not please Jordan, the probable link in any West Bank
confederation. The contamination of democracy does not appeal to the
Hashemite monarchy, even one as reputedly "moderate" as King Hussein's.
But perhaps the West Bank's enthusiasm for democracy should please
Israelis. They may not agree with the mood or the aims of many West Bank
residents. But the spread of democracy in the Middle East is certainly a
benign counterbalance to the Moslem fundamentalism that has infected the
region.

.

Slow Down In '87

1986 is gone, and none too soon. It had its high points — notably the
release of Anatoly Shcharansky from a Soviet prison — but it will also be
remembered as the year of a number-of crises and scandals: the Iran arms
deal, the Challenger tragedy, Libya's Qaddafi, Ivan Boesky, Chernobyl, Len
Bias.
One simple lesson, but one so hard for political leaders to get right, is
essential in this year of continuing probes into the Iran arms mess and
escalating activity on the road to Campaign '88. And that is that our leaders
should tell us the truth, as quickly and as directly as possible. Particularly
when there's a problem. The American people are very forgiving when you
come clean with them and ask for their empathy.
A bit more philosophical lesson is for us to slow down and do it well,
whatever it may be. What many of last year's tragedies seemed to share in
common — from the spread of AIDS via casual sex to the Wall Street scandals,
from the Challenger explosion to the Administration's foolhardy decision to
trade arms for hostages — was an effort to act quickly, take the short-cut. And
what we must do, instead, is focus on the thoughtful, long-term quality
approach. Easier said than done, no doubt, but a worthwhile goal for the new
year.

H

arry Cohen is a modern Jewish
hero, unknown to all but his
own family and friends. He has
not been on the evening news, nor has
he been interviewed for a local televi-
sion special. He lives in Sharon, Mass.
with his wife, Bea. They have been
married 47 years and obviously love
each other as only those who have
shared a lifetime can love.
Like so many heroes, Harry cer-
tainly does not think of himself that
way. In his everyday life he buys and
sells surplus metals. Although he is 71
years old, Harry plans to work full
time for the next ten years, and then
half time for the ten years after that.
He might consider slowing down then,
he says. He plays a tough gin rummy
game, and not for pennies.
He hasn't saved anyone from a
raging fire lately, or done anything
else in the hero business. He goes to
synagogue every week but that makes
him unusual, not extraordinary.
Mark Abrams, who is 38 years old,
also goes to synagogue every week.
Being at shul is Mark's passion. You
will never see anyone sing with more
joy, or daven with more passion. Mark
is a devoted Jew.
Mark is also mentally retarded.
And every week he sits with Harry
Cohen, as he has been doing for almost
ten years.
Mark lives in a halfway house in
Wrentham. There is no synagogue in
that town. Temple Israel in Sharon is
the closest synagogue. With some ef-
fort, Mark's father managed to ar-
range for the state to provide transpor-
tation for Mark's religious "needs."
Being away from his parents, Mark
missed his time at his own shul, which
is now too far away. There, he

Dr. Gary A. Tobin is director of the
Center for Modern Jewish Studies at
Brandeis University.

davened, was part of the minyan, and
an active worshipper.
When he came to Temple Israel, it
was Harry Cohen who saw Mark; un-
familiar, uncomfortable, and alone. It
was Harry Cohen who asked Mark to
sit with him because, as Harry tells
you, "It was the right thing to do."
They have been together ever since.
"Harry, can I kiss the Torah?"
Mark knows the service from be-
ginning to end. He cannot read He-
brew, but of course, neither can many

Perhaps if ignored long
enough, all these
imperfect Jews would
disappear. They are
usually invisible in Jewish
life.

other people in the synagogue. He
chants the words and follows every
part of the service, but he wants reas-
surance that he is doing the proper
prayer in the right way. He looks to
Harry for guidance. Even though
Mark knows what to do when the
Torah passes, Harry reassures him, as
he has done for ten years, that it is
good to kiss the Torah.
"Harry, can I come to Kiddush?"
Mark is very social, loves people,
and loves to shake hands. Sometimes
he slaps you on the back with a tre-
mendous excitement. Kiddush is spe-
cial, for it is time for Mark to say hello
to everyone. Mark takes pride that the
new rabbi "already knows who I am."
I asked Mark what he likes most
about being at shul. He did not hesi-
tate when he answered "everything."
Nor did he hesitate when I asked him
who he liked best at shul.
"Harry."
"Why?" I asked.
"Because he's "my pal."
"What do you like best about
Harry?"

