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ERHARD BMW

Pluralism Prevails
In Oak Park

The chambers
were crowded as
the meeting came
to order. I was
there to argue on
behalf of allowing
construction of our
projected school
building, which
required a variance.
RABBI DAVID
Representatives
NELSON
of Beth Shalom
Special to
joined with me to
The Jewish News defend our plans to
construct a school.
I was preceded at the podium by rep-
resentatives of the Orthodox community
of Oak Park. They presented an elo-
quent argument on why Beth Shalom
was important to the community and
why its needs should be responded to in
a positive fashion.
The issue was limited and the focus
was specific. It was a recognition of
respect, trust and cooperation that must
be valued for its own sake. Too often,
the press focuses on the tensions, the dis-
agreements and very often the insults
that are hurled across denominational
lines. So when we encounter a moment
of complete cooperation and support,
we should call attention to it.
I propose that the Oak Park atmos-
phere of spiritual support for one anoth-
er become a model for the wider com-
munity. There have to be issues, such as
this, where we can work together and
that is what we need to do.
Other models are also in evidence.
Working together in support of Israel
Bonds is a wonderful example of cooper-
ation in an atmosphere of trust and
respect.
There is a story of Rabbi Salanter
who once saw two boys pushing and
shoving each other. He asked why they
were doing this. One replied, "We're try-
ing to see who is taller." Rabbi Salanter
said, "Why doesn't one of you stand on
a chair?"
We gain nothing by pushing and
shoving and denigrating one another.
Instead we should elevate ourselves in
the ongoing Jewish quest of rendering
great and glorious the name of God and
God's Torah.
We must search out more issues and
more settings that allow us to stand
together as we widen the positive plural-
ism that prevails in Oak Park. ❑

David Nelson is rabbi of Congregation
Beth Shalom.

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