“Another ‘Word’ About History”

   Later on today, at its annual meeting with the election of new officers and board members, I’m officially concluding my tenure as co-president of the Jewish Historical Society of Delaware. Truth be told, my “co” did the yeoman’s job inasmuch as he really is retired as an eye doctor, but together we did see a lot of progress towards reinvigorating the society in the past few years.

   You know I love history. As I told the conversion class, my love of history does not include a love of facts; dates and places one can look up in a book. It is the place of history in the here-and-now that is vital. Be it a synagogue, an entire community, an institution, a nation, knowing what was allows you to gain a much-needed perspective on what is and what can and should be.

    That’s why I occasionally bring up my two years as the student-rabbi of Beth El Congregation in 1970-1972. Were it not for the dedication and vision of those folks, who knows what the congregation would be like today. And were it not for the dedication and vision of the founders of the congregation, would there even have been a Beth El for me to serve then and now?! 

    When I told people I was coming back after a half-century hiatus, some asked me if there are still congregants who are members and if I remember the people from “way back when.” I truly hope you’re not offended, but my answer is, “I remember them all, though most are next door and horizontal!” When I walked through the cemetery and saw those familiar names, believe me the warmest memories popped into my head. But, friends, they are the “history” of the congregation; they are remembered by loved ones and should be remembered in the collective hearts of the Beth El membership for years to come.