World

Stalwart Support

Author Holzer to probe Lincoln's
relationship with Civil War-era Jews.

Wendy Rose Bice
Special to the Jewish News

and "thus to slavery," Holzer explained.
At least two Southern rabbis owned
slaves. Jews were also, both in the
wo-hundred years after his
North and the South, stereotypically
birth and nearly 150 years
defined as money hungry, "cunning
after his death, Americans
merchants."
still are captivated by the life and
Lincoln didn't buy into these
legacy of President Abraham Lincoln.
notions and purposefully set out
Hundreds of books, Web sites, films
to win the hearts and minds of the
and roundtable discussion groups
Jewish community. He employed the
attest that the era of Lincoln still has
talents of his personal doctor, Isachar
much to teach us.
Zacharie, to travel the nation and
Author Harold
rally Jewish Americans to get behind
Holzer, co-chair
Lincoln's bid for re-election in 1864.
of the Lincoln
While some took offense that one man
Bi-Centennial
could "deliver the Jewish vote,' the tale
Commission, will
of Zacharie and his travels is surely
discuss Lincoln's
one of the more intriguing of the
passion for civil
many characters in Lincoln's life.
rights, ability to
As co-chair of the Lincoln Bi-
Harold Holzer
unify and lead a
Centennial Commission, appointed by
nation through war
President Clinton in 2000 and elected
and his relationship to the Jewish
co-chairman in 2001, Holzer's travels
community at a free lecture 7 p.m.
around the country have reminded
Wednesday, Sept. 16, at Temple Beth El him of how important Lincoln contin-
in Bloomfield Township.
ues to be.
Holzer, who has authored several
"I'm amazed at how many people
dozen books on Lincoln and the Civil
still identify with Lincoln ... whites,
War and has appeared
African-Americans,
in several films and tele-
Jews, Christians, Latinos,
vision shows, is making
gays and straights, all
his first appearance in
claim some part of him."
the Detroit area as part
Holzer points to
of the Mary Einstein
President Barack
Shapero Memorial
Obama, who invoked
Lecture Series presented
his love for Lincoln on
by the Rabbi Leo M.
the day he announced
Franklin Archives at
his candidacy in
Temple Beth El.
Lincoln's former home
In an era when, it can
of Springfield, Ill. It
be argued, American
is well noted that the
President L incoln
anti-Semitism was at
two men parallel each
its highest, Abraham Lincoln rose
other in many ways: They both were
above the prejudices and embraced
single-term legislators who were not
several prominent Jews as advisers
expected to win their presidential
and friends. He rejected the surge
bids and they both sought to bring
of Revivalism that was sweeping the
a team of rivals into their cabinets.
country, firmly advocating equal
On Inauguration Day, Obama took
opportunity for all.
in his hands the Bible used by his
Life for American Jews during the
hero, Abraham Lincoln. Holzer says
Civil War era was not easy. A tiny
that there is some mystery about this
minority of the population, 150,000 in Bible, but will only reveal clues at this
all, Jews were divided in their politics
upcoming lecture. El
and their allegiances. Northern Jews
— mostly recent immigrants from
Author and historian Harold Holzer will
Germany — remained loyal to the
speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, at
Union. Southern Jews, some of whom
Temple Beth El, Bloomfield Township. No
had been in the country for genera-
admission cost, but donations appreciated.
tions, were loyal to the Confederacy
To RSVP, call (248) 865-0628.

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September 10 • 2009

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