Remembering Joseph Lieberman

This week we sadly said good bye to a great American and a great Jewish leader, Joseph Lieberman who passed at 82 years old.  Lieberman grew up not far from Bedford, in Stamford, Connecticut in a working-class family. He was a loud and proud Jew who never hid his Jewishness. He described himself as traditional, but not Orthodox.  For him this meant he kept Kosher at home and attended Shabbat services weekly, but did not follow the details of Orthodoxy.   In Washington he was a frequent guest and often a speaker at Reform and Conservative Synagogues. He regularly spoke with gushing pride of his step-son, Ethan, who became a prominent Conservative Rabbi in the New York area. Lieberman’s wife Hadassah was the daughter of Holocaust survivors.  The story of their survival animated his sensitivity to protecting the vulnerable, advocating for Israel, and speaking out against anti-Semitism and against prejudice in any form in American society. 

I remember the spirit of excitement in America in August 2000 when Joe Lieberman broke the glass ceiling and became the first Jew to run as Vice President in a national election.  He gave a rousing speech about America’s good fortune and optimism and frequently repeated the phrase “Only in America!”

He said “I believe that the next frontier isn't just in front of us but inside of us to overcome the differences that are still between us to break down the barriers that remain and to help every American claim the limitless possibilities of their own lives.

Sometimes, I try to see this world as my dad saw it from his bakery truck. About this time, he'd be getting ready for the all-night run.

And I know that somewhere in America right now there is another father loading a bakery truck or a young woman programming a computer or a parent dreaming of a better future for their daughter or their son.

If we keep the faith, then 40 years from now, one of their children will stand before a gathering like this with a chance to serve and lead this country that we love.

So, let them look back to this time, and this place, and this stage and say of us: they kept the faith.

Let them say that we helped them realize their hopes and their dreams.

And let them look around at this great and good nation that we are all so blessed to share, and say:

"Only in America.”

Joseph Lieberman was a man of great faith both in America and in Judaism. As we say good-bye to this great leader, may we too look with faith to the future of our country. May our faith in the promise of America be strengthened by the memory of leaders like Joe Lieberman.

Zichrono Livracha, May his memory be for a blessing.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi David Wilfond