COMMUNITY VIEWS
A Promise Keepers Promise
To The Jewish Community?
DONALD H. COHEN
Special to The Jewish News
'W
I atching the Promise
Keepers rally in
Washington, D.C., last
weekend I could tell it
was a "Christian thing" and I won-
dered how much I really understood.
I've always believed in the need for
Jews to get together, as Jews, to
address communal, national
and international issues
affecting us and others. So
what is wrong with this
movement of Christians
who want to join together
with other Christians to
shape their own future and
impact society? Possibly
nothing. Possibly a lot.
The biggest difference
between Jewish solidarity
and Christian solidarity
probably has to do with
being a minority or a majority. As a
minority concerned about how to pro-
tect and perpetuate our community,
we must join together. We must orga-
nize, educate and advocate. Majorities
have no such issue of disappearing or
being discriminated against. They,
after all, are the majority.
And because Christians are the
majority, America certainly could ben-
efit from a movement of Christian
Don Cohen is the Michigan Regional
Director of the Anti-Defamation
League.
EDITOR'S
NOTEBOOK
The Beauty Of
A Distant Smile
ALAN H ITS KY
Associate Editor
Kol Nidre won't be
the same. A familiar
face is gone, and with
it a bit of my comfort
level.
It's not that we
were close. Nothing
like that. Actually, I
learned more about
men who would rededicate themselves
to their families and commit to lead-
ing moral lives by fighting racism and
improving their communities. We
should also not overlook the positive
difference it has made in the lives of
many individuals.
But what is the impact on Jews of a
movement that believes everything can
be overcome by the unity found in
submission to Jesus Christ?
I don't think for a moment that the
rally was about us. Neither was the
Million Man March, for that matter.
But though the Million Man March
was the largest rally in this nation led
by an anti-Semite, this rally has
greater potential implications for the
security of the Jewish community and
other religious minorities. We know
that historically such religious move-
ments have lashed out at those who
refuse to join them. But the United
States has resisted such actions. If it
needs to, will it again?
And what about those guys stand-
Avram Rabinovitz after his death than
I knew during the 26 years I listened
to him read Torah at the synagogue.
In his other life he had been a
poultry schochet, a ritual slaughterer,
who added the Torah-reading business
75 years ago to make a few extra dol-
lars. It wasn't the most lucrative career
in the world — even after 45 years as
Torah reader at B'nai Moshe, Mr.
Rabinovitz's pay was $3,000 annually.
Of course, that included his mile
walk to the shul in Oak Park and, in
recent years after the synagogue moved
to West Bloomfield, staying at Sexton
Shalom Ralph's apartment on Shabbat.
I'm sure Mr. Rabinovitz got a lot
out of the job. I just hope he knew
what he gave to others by doing it.
Over the years, I would occasional-
ly go up to him after services and wish
him a "gut Shabbos." He'd smile and
nod, and that was pretty much our
relationship.
ing in the middle of the stage next to
Promise Keepers founder Bill
McCartney, wearing talleisim (prayer
shawls) and yarmulkes and praying
fervently to Jesus? Besides my being
insulted, I wonder what message is
delivered to the viewing public about
Jews and Judaism? The prominent
placement of these Christians in Jews'
clothing is at least as significant as the
recent Southern Baptist Convention's
effort to encourage the con-
version of the Jews.
When McCartney
exclaimed at the rally,
"Every guy here has God's
spirit in him ... We're on the
same team," what does he
mean? Are we, as non-
believers in Jesus' divinity,
welcome on the team? Are
we on a parallel team
(known as the dual
covenant belief)? What does
it mean for us not to be on
the team? If it simply means we are
destined to eternal damnation than
that is their theology and they are wel-
come to it. But what about our place
in building a better society today?
Two years ago I heard Promise
Keepers leader Wellington Boone
ridicule anyone who thought they
could get close to God without first
going through Jesus. He was conde-
scending and mean-spirited. He belit-
tled women. (A county commissioner
regretted not walking off the stage
when he spoke about the "sniveling
woman.") He urged the city leaders of
Dayton, Ohio, to claim the city for
Jesus. He was well-received, though
some people, both Jews and non-Jews,
were irate.
The statements and activities of
Promise Keepers leaders will have to
be closely monitored. It's hard to
believe they will be apolitical. But
whatever they may say in the coming
weeks and months, they will undoubt-
edly empower those who are intoler-
ant of Jews, other non-Christians and
even Christians who are not "born-
again." Their criteria for membership
is simple — the submission to Jesus
— and this does not guarantee morali-
ty. Promise Keepers has a responsibili-
ty to define their positions and goals
vis-a-vis non-Christians, and to disas-
sociate and condemn those who use
the organization as a cover for anti-
Jewish activities.
Our response must be well
thought-out. We must better under-
stand this movement and work with
Christian leaders who understand
and appreciate religious diversity,
pluralism and separation of church
and state. We have built some strong
relationships in this regard. At the
same time we must avoid knee-jerk
reactions that might make us feel
good but may set back avenues to
understanding. We should take care
not to label everyone involved in
Promise Keepers. And, at the same
time, we must redouble our efforts to
protect and strengthen our safety net,
the Bill of Rights and the First
Amendment.
❑
just a few years ago.
Rabbi Elliot Pachter filled in the
And there was humor in his
broader picture for me after Mr.
personality, a twinkle in his eye. Once,
Rabinovitz died Sunday morning,
again when the rabbi thought the
Sept. 21, at the age of 91.
reader was not feeling well, Rabbi
Mr. Rabinovitz had read Torah the
Pachter offered to do the
day before at Shabbat ser-
Torah
reading. "I can
vices. He came up to the
read," the rabbi said. "I
bimah in a wheelchair and,
know," Mr. Rabinovitz
after a few minutes of read-
deadpanned. "I've heard
ing the parsha, the rabbi
you.
took over. "I was afraid to
It is hard for a congre-
offend him," Rabbi Pachter
gant
to look up at the
said. "But afterward he
bimah
and not see a famil-
admitted that he was a little
iar,
smiling
face, or hear a
tired."
trope that had its own char-
Mr. Rabinovitz had con-
acteristic sing-song and
tinued to live in his Oak
Avram Rabinovitz
•
European accent.
Park home, even after the
I
didn't
know
Mr.
death this summer of his
Rabinovitz well. But his death before
beloved wife of 54 years, Rebecca.
the High Holidays has me thinking
The rabbi tells of Mr. Rabinovitz's
about the impact one person can
independent streak, how he continued
make in this world, even from a dis-
to maintain his home, even cutting
tance. ❑
the lawn and repairing the drive until
"
10/10
1997