Jewry's Role in
Human Affairs

IN THE PROVINCE OF THE MIND
It has been said that greatness dwells in those who can alter the course of thinking
or behavior as it shapes human development. If so, the Western world, in
particular, can rightly claim greatness in a distinguished group of Jewish
intellectuals--pioneers whose probe into mind and emotions helped establish the
art and science of mental therapy. Among them were Sigmund Freud and several
of his disciples who we feature here.
•-z-:•:;:;::•:;::•:;:;:;:••• :;:i::*
• • •••••::K: SIGMUND FREUD
(1856-1939) b. Vienna, Austria Psychiatrist The
founder of psychoanalysis took his place in history on
first observing that the symptoms of hysteria were
• often eased when patients recalled psychic traumas
suffered earlier in life. Such techniques as free
association (speaking spontaneously of what comes to
mind), dream interpretation, and the impacts of sexual
and death instincts on emotions and behavior, mattered
greatly in his theories and system. Freud had opened a window on the unconscious
and what fed its drives, breaking ground for approaches in many schools of
psychological therapy other than his own.
After the German occupation of Austria in 1938, Freud fled to England
where he and his followers continued to influence psychiatric practices of the
times. While many of his ideas were challenged after his death, a second look by
therapists is today restoring much credibility to Freudian concepts and viewpoints.
His work also left an indelible mark on education, anthropology, literature and art.
Freud's daughter, Anna (1895-1982), introduced the psychoanalytical treatment of
children.

THEODOR REIK
(1888-1968) b. Vienna, Austria Psychoanalyst In
contrast to Sigmund Freud's view of the death wish, he
speculated that the masochist's pleasure at being abused
is a misdirected way of seeking happiness. Another
theory he originated held that crime is driven by
unconscious guilt and a craving for punishment. The
prolific writer emigrated to the U.S. in 1938 and
propagated these and other fresh analytical insights in
fifty books for mental health professionals and the lay public. Reik was also
elected president of the National Association for Psychoanalytic Psychology in
1946.
•• -•:•:•:•:-:-•••••••-:--•:•:•:•: :::::::::::::i:i
ERICH FROMM
(1900-80) b. Frankfort, Germany Psychoanalyst
Since arriving in America in 1934, the neo-Freudian
taught in a number of universities and wrote copiously
about the role of psychoanalysis in solving persistent
problems in culture and society. .His was a powerful
and persuasive voice for self-realization and fulfillment
through wholesome human relationships, a productive
lifestyle and unselfish love. Fromm's proposals for
buoying up emotional health in impersonal industrial societies appeared in two of
his eloquent national best sellers: Escape from Freedom (1941) and The Art of
Loving (1956).
-Saul Stadtmauer

COMMISSION FOR THE DISSEMINATION OF JEWISH HISTORY
Walter & Lea Field, Founders/Sponsors
Irwin S. Field & Harriet F. Siden, Chairpersons

Visit many more notable Jews at our website: www.dorledor.org

Bill Nagler, MR

www.flietresults.com

Lose a pound a day with
Dr. Nagler's Formula

Ready to drink, no refrigeration, chocolate a vanilla

Appointments/Mail Order:

2/2
2001

34

[7341422-8040

16311 Middlebelt, Livonia

1111•111111V

SPECIAL COMMENTARY

DON'T FORGET THE EARTH from page 32

sidered by most of our political lead-
ers.
For how much of this crisis is the
United States responsible? Twenty-five
percent — a full quarter of global green-
house gas emissions — come from the
United States. Why? Gas-guzzling
SUVs. Sprawl. Pervasive energy ineffi-
ciency in our homes and businesses. A
lack of concern for how much energy
we use because it is so very abundant
and comparatively cheap.
Addressing the larger issue of global
warming is a Jewish responsibility.
On the most basic level, our tradi-
tion teaches us that we humans were
placed in the Garden of Eden to till it
and to tend it, to serve it and to pro-
tect it (Genesis 2:15). "The earth is the
Eternal's," teaches the Psalmist. We are
tenants.
And we are responsible for far more
than taking care of our own little plot
of land. The ancient covenant of the
Jewish people obliges us to pursue jus-
tice in all of our relationships — with
all people and all creatures — as well
as for future generations.
There are pragmatic Jewish reasons
for concern as well. Jewish children
will live in the world we leave them.
Israel is already pushing its ecological
limits (particularly the supply of fresh
water), both internally and in relation-
ship to its neighbors. And global insta-
bility is likely to lead to increased fun-
damentalism and even fascism, as the
basic security of many peoples around
the Earth is undermined.

new administration is to increase sup-
ply and keep costs down, to drill , for
more oil and gas in remote and fragile
environments, such as Alaska's Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge.
For most of the last century, pro-
tecting the environment was a biparti-
san issue in Washington. Teddy Roo-
sevelt created the National Park sys-
tem. Dwight Eisenhower created the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. And
Richard Nixon created the Environ-
mental Protection Agency and signed
into law the Clean Water Act, Clean
Air Act and Endangered Species Act.
Now, unfortunately, protecting the
environment has come to be consid-
ered a liberal or Democratic issue even
though most Americans strongly and
actively favor increased protection of
our environment.
By putting forward the shared values
that underlie our concern for the envi-
ronment, framing environmental protec-
tion as the moral issue that it is, and
keeping attention focused on the deeper
issues, we can bring people together to
address the grave ecological circum-
stances we face.
As we gather to celebrate Tu b'She-
vat, let us rejoice in the wonder of cre-
ation and the beauty of the Jewish tra-
dition. And let us find in the wisdom
of our tradition and the strength of
our communities the purpose and
courage to fulfill our sacred task to
preserve the Creator's magnificent
handiwork and pursue justice for all
people and creatures. ❑

Beyond Partisanship

Mark X. Jacobs is executive director of

From all indications, the Bush admin-
istration is not preparing to address
the more fundamental energy crisis of
our time. The energy agenda of the

the Coalition on the Environment and
Jewish Life (COEJL), a national envi-
ronmental effort. You can contact him
at www.coejl.org

THROWING AWAY from page 33

posedly enough to cause them to start
their latest intifada.
While the Jews of Israel will not
take to the streets to attack Arabs over
this, the destruction of antiquities on
Judaism's most sacred site is an issue
that must be treated seriously.
The stakes in this dispute are
higher than the fate of Jewish arti-
facts. If Ehud Barak is re-elected as
prime minister of Israel ; his conces-
sions giving the Wakf's political mas-
ters — Chairman Yasser Arafat and
the Palestinian Authority — control
of most of the Old City of Jerusalem
and the Temple Mount will be put
into effect. That will mean not only
the end of any chance of stopping

the Muslim vandalism on the Temple
Mount but a Palestinian stranglehold
on existing Jewish neighborhoods in
the city and holy places such as the
Western Wall.
Those who would destroy or deny
Jewish history are not likely to show any
greater respect for the lives of living Jews
or the sanctity of Jewish places of wor-
ship. The trashing of Har Habayit is just
a preview of what will happen to other
Jewish sites if Arafat and the Palestinians
are given more of Jerusalem. ❑

Jonathan S. Tobin is executive editor

of the Jewish Exponent in Philadelphia.
His e-mail address is
jtobin@jewishexponent.com