Advocating in the Local Community Last Week

Last Friday, Temple Beth Abraham ended up on page 1 of the Nashua Telegraph.  I spoke on Saturday morning about how we got there, and what else the synagogue has been doing to advocate for our needs in a way that builds our relationships in the greater Nashua area.

The story in the paper was actually only one of three things -- good things -- that happened last week.  On Monday, I was invited to St. Joseph's hospital to speak to staff at a meeting of their periodic diversity training seminar.  We talked about what Jews might experience in a Catholic hospital, and how their caregivers can respond to everything from dietary needs to end of life issues to Jews' different reactions to living in a room with a crucifix.  I tried to represent the diversity of Jews' perspectives, which vary to be sure from person to person, but also by generation or by where we came from.  I told them that the surest way to treat their Jewish patients appropriately is simply to ask them any questions.  And I started out by giving my cell phone number and encouraged any hospital staff to call if they ever have questions about something unique to a Jewish patient.

On Wednesday, Noreen Leibson and I met with all the principals in the Nashua Public Schools to talk about the upcoming High Holidays.  Superintendent Chris Hottel gave us a tremendous introduction, reminding the school heads of the importance of being aware of different students' needs and encouraging them to work with students and parents to accommodate our holidays.  We brought a letter ready to be distributed to students as well as a Jewish calendar.  We talked about not only the days out of schools, but issues around state test scheduling, homework over the holidays, and make-up work on the first day back.  We let the educators know that our students would likely be busy all day on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, in prayer and celebration -- no real time to do homework.  We also said that we were there so we could report back to parents and make it easier for parents to assume their responsibility for communicating directly with teachers.  At least one principal asked us for specifics about which days to avoid testing.

(We will be sending similar information out to other area school districts this week as well.)

Then there was the issue that got us in the paper.  The Telegraph article did us justice.  What we tried to do -- not just me, but the leadership of the synagogue -- was:

• to ask the Hunt Memorial Building to remove a sign that at quick glance confronted us with a swastika out on a public sidewalk on our main street
• to make clear that we are not opposing a possibly controversial play that deals with the Holocaust -- in fact, we advocate keeping the Holocaust and the issues it raises in the public consciousness
• to communicate directly, personally, and in a friendly way to peer organizations in town -- to act in a way that would build the synagogue's relationships in the local community
• to ask for sensitivity, without getting into legal issues about laws and free speech

We followed up with phone calls, and it looks like we did it right.  The building trustees and the theater group were friendly when we spoke afterwards.

The play in question is called "Taking Sides."  It explores the actions of a German conductor during World War II, and the American soldier who after the war wants to prosecute him for sympathizing with the Nazis.  I haven't read or seen it; it may or may not be a thoughtful treatment of the question of whether an artist has a unique responsibility to take sides against the evils around him.  My sense is that at least some of us now ought to see the production, and contribute to the conversations it sparks. This Saturday at 6:30 PM there will be a panel discussion and the shul ought to be represented there; I intend to go for at least part before our Selichot program here.

At the end of my report on these issues on Shabbat, I said that our ability to advocate for ourselves flows from the deep concern for others and sense of community that we have.  And the very same motives are what will enable us as Jews and as members of a congregation to be a moral voice in this community on issues of justice that concern everyone.