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Senator Kennedy and the High Holidays
I must admit this is a busy time of year for me. So, I haven’t exactly been sitting in front of the TV watching the news specials about Ted Kennedy, although part of me wishes I had been. Still, a few random reflections on Kennedy’s life and death.
On finding out… I suspect many of you heard the news of his passing like I did – on Facebook or Twitter. Each morning, one of the first things I do is check my email and Facebook news feed on my Blackberry. It is later in the morning that I turn on the news and/or read a newspaper. I know it’s not surprising, but I’m still intrigued by the fact that so many of us get our ‘news’ from our virtual friends.
On Kennedy’s legacy… Clearly Kennedy will be remembered for many of his accomplishments. While we may or may not agree with individual political decisions, he was clearly a strong voice in the Senate. Naturally, the timing with the Health Care Reform attempts is striking. I hope that there will be a speedy plan approved to improve our health care system – one that Senator Kennedy would have been proud of.
On Michael Jackson and Ted Kennedy… I’m glad that Kennedy is at least getting almost as much attention as MJ did!
On a touching story…. I am sure that there are many stories about the difference Kennedy has made in people’s lives. One story that I read on cnn.com struck me; you might want to take a look at it. It is the story of the “Littlest Refusenik” – a woman named Jessica Katz who was born in Moscow in 1977 with nutritional deficiencies. To make a long story short, Kennedy eventually got young Jessica and her family out of the Soviet Union, thereby saving her life.
On the ups and downs of life… Clearly, Ted Kennedy’s life was not all perfect. In addition to facing tragedies that were out of his control, he certainly made his share of mistakes. Some were major, like 40 years ago when he drove his car off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island and Mary Jo Kopechne drowned. I obviously don’t know what went through Kennedy’s mind over the years, but I just heard a speech in which he said, “I have accepted full and complete responsibility for that. And I will live with that all my life.” The New York Times reports that in 1991 Kennedy said “I recognize my own shortcomings.”
Perhaps, as we enter the season of awe and repentance in the Jewish calendar, it is an early opportunity for us to recognize and accept our own shortcomings. Embracing personal responsibility is key to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Kennedy’s death provides a reminder of the importance of reflecting – not just about others – but about ourselves.
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August 29th, 2009 at 9:24 am
The last (I hope not) of the Senate giants. Civil rights, education, voting rights, health care, immigrants’ rights, labor unions…..Senator Kennedy showed how flawed people (and aren’t we all?) can do great things. I agree with Rabbi Baum that the new year and high holidays offer us the perfect time to reflect, reinvent, and renew our commitments not only to repairing ourselves, but to repairing the world in whatever modest way we can.
September 1st, 2009 at 12:45 pm
I liked Bobby in the 60’s. I after learning more about the lif of Teddy he certainly earns our praise. What a joyous man who fought for what he believed.
September 1st, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Having grown up surrounded by the desperate poverty of Appalachia in Eastern Kentucky, I know what a champion for the people all of the Kennedy’s were. They worked with local law makers(especially Carl D. Perkins)to help provide everything from the very basics of a free breakfast and lunch meal at school to the joys and pleasures of libraries! I had the honor of meeting Robert Kennedy when he made his Appalachian tour in February 1968. I was seven years old and got to shake his hand. I knew then I had touched greatness. Ted Kennedy was an outstanding example of generosity, focused purpose and a life dedicated to service. He was wise enough to live his life full of joy and happiness and to laugh out loud. He certainly made a difference in my life.