A High Holiday message for Rosh HaShanah 5770

On the corner of the street on which I lived growing up in Brookline, Mass., there is a sign directing tourists to the home of a famous individual.

You guessed it – I am not that individual. But my claim to fame is that I lived on 79 Beals Street, and President John F. Kennedy was born at 77 Beals. My parents were friendly with Rose Kennedy, and every summer we were all invited to her birthday party on Cape Cod at the family compound.

So, there is a connection, however tangential, between the Schwartzes and the Kennedys. Perhaps that is why I was especially saddened when I heard that Edward Kennedy died a few weeks ago. I would like to pay tribute to this great American by highlighting things we can learn from his life.

The first is: Never lose your passion for what you believe in. Ted Kennedy was known as the lion of the Senate. He earned this title for his stentorian roar that would fill the halls of the Senate with his passionate speeches in the defense of the downtrodden or vulnerable in society. The news these past few weeks has been filled with his speeches on behalf of the disabled, civil rights, and a host of other issues which ultimately were incorporated into our legal system. His work reflects a lifetime of achievement, making our nation a kinder, more inclusive and more just land.

Though he had challenges, losses, setbacks and even scandals, though he was a very flawed human being, he never lost his passion for what he believed was right and just.

The second thing we can learn from Ted Kennedy is this: Always be willing to compromise. Ted Kennedy was the consummate old time politician. His beliefs were firm and unwavering. But he also understood how politics and people worked. Ted Kennedy was a shrewd bargainer. He tried to negotiate as much as he could for the causes he believed in. Yet, when he knew he could get no more, he would broker a deal and help everyone feel satisfied with the outcome. He understood the sense of partnership that comes from compromise. He was sensitive to the desires of others, which leads us to the third thing we can learn from Ted Kennedy’s life: Be respectful of others even when you disagree.

Even Kennedy’s staunchest ideological opponents have said they deeply admired him. He treated all his colleagues with respect, not just the ones with whom he agreed.

This is a value that seems to be missing from much of political discourse today. As Jews all over the world are about to greet the New Year, let us pray that we too can espouse our causes with passion, sensitivity and respect.