Inches to Metric: The Art of Debate |
I grew up in an era where the Jewish community was completely tied to the Democratic party. Mom was a Socialist Democrat, Dad was too. Many in the Jewish community considered becoming a Republican an act of betrayal/conversion.
Becoming a Labor Zionist/Socialist Democrat.
Dad’s parents fled Pinsk, Belarus at the beginning of the 20th century, (30 years pre-Holocaust), because of antisemitism. They arrived at Ellis Island, NY grateful to be welcomed in the US. They settled in Chicago and formed the Pinsker Society, proudly referring to themselves as Labor Zionists. My Zayde (grandfather) was deeply influenced by the movement, which started in Eastern Europe. It’s mission, build Israel and encourage Aliyah (moving to Israel).
My parents were born in the late 1920s. They were teens when they heard/read about the slaughter of Jews (Holocaust) in Europe. They did whatever they could.
Mom was granted a six month residential scholarship to join a Jewish leadership conference in New York. She hitchhiked there from Chicago. The conference culminated in a convention where she was selected to speak and was seated on the dais with Golda Meir (who came on a speaking tour). Afterwards Golda walked over kissed Mom on the cheek and called her a Bat-Zion (daughter of Zion). Mom was still in NY on November 29, 1947 the day before her 18th birthday when Israel was given the right of self determination by the UN. She went to Times Square and circle danced (horah) all night celebrating.
World Jewry sprung into action creating Israeli support groups. One was called Habonim (builder). Dad helped create a Habonim Chicago chapter. He and some buddies helped smuggle arms to Israel, others volunteered in the Israeli army. He had an insatiable thirst for knowledge, became curious about........