[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 101 (Tuesday, September 5, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S7998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     LOCAL RABBI SHEDS TEARS OF JOY

 Mr. ROBB. Mr. President, Rabbi Israel Zoberman, the leader of 
Congregation Beth Chaverim in Virginia Beach and President of the 
Hampton Roads Board of Rabbis, recently offered some inspirational 
comments on the selection of our colleague, Senator Joseph I. 
Lieberman, as the Democratic Nominee for Vice President of the United 
States. I ask that Rabbi Zoberman's comments be printed in the Record.

               [From the Virginian-Pilot, Aug. 28, 2000]

        Jewish Candidate for VP: Local Rabbi Sheds Tears of Joy

                       (By Rabbi Israel Zoberman)

       The Jewish response to events tends to fluctuate from the 
     extreme of elation, of mazal tov!, to the extreme of despair, 
     of oy vey! It is no wonder since the Jewish condition 
     poignantly reflects the tension between the two poles of the 
     human experience; bringing about either a Messianic 
     exaltation concerning sheer survival or a painful note 
     acknowledging a harsh reality.
       Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is quoted as 
     saying in the past that when you give a Jew optimistic news 
     he turns pessimistic. This exaggeration by the hitherto 
     highest ranking Jewish American, a refugee from Nazi Germany, 
     who lacks Senator Joseph Lieberman's proud religious 
     attachment, is rooted in Jewish caution given the trying 
     lessons of its historical experience. It was no surprise then 
     that upon Senator Lieberman's nomination to the National 
     Democratic ticket, there were those Jews who felt that the 
     ever feared specter of anti-Semitism of pre-World War II days 
     might rear its ugly head again. However, the hardcore anti-
     Semites on the very fringes of society, already assert that 
     the Jews control the world.
       There were those whose first impulse was to give thanks for 
     the ``miracle'' of finally removing a remaining barrier 
     carrying much symbolism. Since American Jews have already 
     made it in our great land, it serves as a significant 
     reminder that not all doors have been fully open. For most 
     Jews, it probably was a mixed response, weighing all possible 
     consequences to the historic act.
       Who could remain neutral to Senator Lieberman's own genuine 
     joy mingled with deep, though inclusive, religious 
     expression, and his wife Hadassah's touching sharing of her 
     family Holocaust background. I myself, son of survivors who 
     spent his early childhood in a Displaced Persons Camp in 
     Germany, was moved to tears witnessing a great American drama 
     unfold, reaching a new high.
       Indeed we have reason to rejoice in America moving closer 
     to fulfilling its promise to all its citizens with renewed 
     hope now that the highest offices in the land will be 
     available to qualified minority candidates of all groups.
       At this turning point, America has the curiosity and 
     opportunity to learn more about the heritage of its fellow 
     Jewish citizens, with its various spiritual movements, in the 
     way that only this breakthrough event can provide. American 
     Jews, at the same time, are poised to hopefully become more 
     reassured about their own religious and ethnic affiliation in 
     a country where their major challenge is not being rejected 
     as Americans in this, our most hospitable home, but rather 
     retaining their Jewish identity in face of unprecedented easy 
     assimilation into the mainstream.
       The possible reinvigoration of the political process 
     because of the presently injected excitement, in spite of yet 
     to be proved American response and maturation over the 
     religious factor, is certainly a worthy plus. What our nation 
     urgently needs is less apathy and more involvement by all in 
     an environment with diminished interest in politics and an 
     embarrassing low voting record, which ultimately are the 
     dangers facing our democracy. Civil disagreement, too, on 
     important issues ought to replace the evident cultural war 
     which threatens to tear apart the precious pluralistic fabric 
     of the enviable American quilt--with church and State 
     separation the golden thread keeping it together.

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