The Conversation: Susannah Heschel

[Smiley and West]

		Jewish scholar Susannah Heschel talks about her studies in Berlin, Germany, as well as the relationship between her father, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

[Candace McCarty]

"Remember that there is a meaning beyond absurdity. Be sure that every little deed counts, that every word has power. Never forget that you can still do your share to redeem the world in spite of all absurdities and frustrations and disappointments."

- Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel

[Thomas Lee Patteson Jr.]

What was that Bach piece at the end? Music credits please! 

Tavis and Cornel get me through the week.

[Anthony Donovan]

Keep up the wonderful work dear Susannah Heschel, and thank you S & W for entering the discussion.

For a few years 13 different faith institutions serving within blocks of each other here in the East Village of NYC, joined to get to build personal relationships... not only public panel discussions, food events, and annual music gatherings.... but to help each other and get to know one another on a personal level.  

Early on our local Mosque needed to close on a Friday, suddenly over 400 people had nowhere to pray.... The local Ukranian Church opened their doors and said, come, pray here.   The Imam was thrilled and asked how much they could pay them.   The priest said, "Pay?  No.  I just ask for one thing, say a prayer for me."  

On 9/11, non Muslim neighbors surrounded the Mosque for days to protect it.   We all stood up to voice support for the right to build an Islamic Center near Ground Zero.    Etc.  

So, hearing about Suzannah's work, and your openness to discuss the prejudice towards the Jewish people (still the highest incident rate of acts of religious bigotry is toward Jews in the US), is heartening, and encouraging to all.   Look forward to her, and your books.    Keep on.   Thank you.

FYI:  www.LocalFaithCommunities.org

NYC

[Rosalyn Chatt]

I was very fascinated by this discussion and the research that Dr. Heschel is conducting in Germany. I couldn't help but notice however that all the examples she gave about the interfaith activities in Germany and England between Jews and Islam were, in fact, conducted by Jews. She didn't get into the question of motivation, but I wonder if their research was not partially the result of the desire of the "modern" Jews of that period to be considered assimilated and full fledged Germans? What demonstrates one's security more than to extend a hand of friendship to those who might be considered enemies?

These intellectuals surely were aware of pervasive anti-Semitism of Christian Europe as well as the antipathy towards the Jews contained in the Qur'an and the Hadiths, the same verses which drive the virulent anti-semitism found in the Muslim world of today. Perhaps those 19th century scholars had hoped to counteract that hatred by extending a hand of friendship by acknowledging the good qualities of Islam?

However the sad fact of history is that the Mufti of Jerusalem, the leader of the Muslim world in the early 20th c., became a great friend of Hitler; and the genocide of the Armenians by Turkish Muslims became the template for the Holocaust. All the good intentions of scholars did not alter reality, after all.

Susannah's father was brought to the US and saved from murder by the generosity of American Jews (Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati) because of his brilliance, but the rest of his extremely pious and illustrious family who remained in Europe were murdered by the Nazis.

[Anthony Donovan]

Worthy and important to keep in mind Rosalyn, yes.  Thank you.  

  Tis very true, the Armenian genocide, a great horror of humankind, meticulously documented by Peter Balakians several works and others, is a point to keep elucidating and educating about, for it is still not recognized by officialdom, as Germany has recognized it own transgression.  Kudos and deep appreciation to Germany for such a worthy example.  But let's not give too much sway to "however" and "all the good intentions did not alter reality".   In Peter's works you will find not enough, but many instances of Muslims and Turks standing up to the great tragety and shame, still hidden.  Every small individual act counts when it comes to hatred, ignorance, and love and compassion.   Susannah's efforts are helping to build bridges.   We build them whereever and whenever we can.  Over and over again.  We attempt from wherever we stand to bring light into our souls... and know all humans have the soul.    As repeated by Mother Teresa.... years of good works and building can be dashed in a moment, build anyway.   

Rosalyn Chatt said:

I was very fascinated by this discussion and the research that Dr. Heschel is conducting in Germany. I couldn't help but notice however that all the examples she gave about the interfaith activities in Germany and England between Jews and Islam were, in fact, conducted by Jews. She didn't get into the question of motivation, but I wonder if their research was not partially the result of the desire of the "modern" Jews of that period to be considered assimilated and full fledged Germans? What demonstrates one's security more than to extend a hand of friendship to those who might be considered enemies?

These intellectuals surely were aware of pervasive anti-Semitism of Christian Europe as well as the antipathy towards the Jews contained in the Qur'an and the Hadiths, the same verses which drive the virulent anti-semitism found in the Muslim world of today. Perhaps those 19th century scholars had hoped to counteract that hatred by extending a hand of friendship by acknowledging the good qualities of Islam?

However the sad fact of history is that the Mufti of Jerusalem, the leader of the Muslim world in the early 20th c., became a great friend of Hitler; and the genocide of the Armenians by Turkish Muslims became the template for the Holocaust. All the good intentions of scholars did not alter reality, after all.

Susannah's father was brought to the US and saved from murder by the generosity of American Jews (Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati) because of his brilliance, but the rest of his extremely pious and illustrious family who remained in Europe were murdered by the Nazis.

[Tina Bea]

The discussion with Susannah Heschel was fascinating. A few points sprang to mind, which I will share here. When Professor West listed those Germans who made world contributions, I also thought of another German who shaped world philosophy and politics -- who talked about the movement of the immense majority in the interests of the immense majority -- I mean Karl Marx, of course. Along with Lichtenstein and Bach, you might mention him.

And of course, the peculiar institution of slavery seems the obvious comparison with the holocaust. It is, indeed, odd, that Washington has a memorial to depict the horrors of the holocaust, which was perpetrated by a defeated military enemy, and not one about our own national shame.

Finally, Chris Burden, an artist, DID propose a monument to the 3 million Vietnamese casualties, and exhibited a model at the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art in 1992 ( see description here: http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/789934chap1.html with a link to a picture)

[Thomas Lee Patteson Jr.]

 I learned this week Marx wrote on American Slavery and also sent a letter of Congratulations to Lincoln on his election victory.

http://www.sojournertruth.net/marxslavery.pdf

[Anthony Donovan]

Slavery has been a most horrible horror throughout humankinds history and cultures, including ours.  Something was done to address it, by millions.  The roots of inhumanity linger...

   Slavery exists today, right now.   It's something to Keep on being vigilant about, yes, acknowledging our own shadows strengthens integrity.  i know no one free of this.  

  We don't deny slavery in the US, that I personally know.  There forever are some... everywhere.  

Bridges once again.. it's a forever business.    In terms of above response, it's an important point,  Turkey denies genocide ever happened....still today.     

[Ricardo Jones]

BlogTalk Radio show on : Civil Rights fraud and corruption.

Your show is set for Wednesday 02/08/2012 at 12pm Eastern Standard Time, same call in number if you have anyone that wants to call in.
For your show I will be calling you directly from my phone and patch you directly into the dashboard.
The link for your show is: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/chik_chat_with_annemarie_karen_and_barbie/2012/02/08/wednesday-02082012-12pm-est-civil-rights-corruption

[Denise Harris]

Very exciting that Jewish scholars are interested in Islam and have studied it. I always felt a hypothetical connection between Jews and Africans. This study is priceless in our country today for better understanding intercultural communications. Much of African American history has been suppressed. This is the main problem in this country, rich cultural history (from all cultures) are excluded from school textbooks. If we knew about one another's cultures, we could accept everyone.