Adam Horowitz writes:
Did you see this obituary in the Times today for Rabbi Emanuel Rackman, at the ripe old age of 98? What a life–which in an interesting way mirrors the trajectory of part
of the Jewish community in the US.
Here's someone who in the 1950s "was called up for active duty from the Air Force
Reserve, but found that his security clearance had been revoked because
of his outspoken opposition to the death penalties handed down in the
Rosenberg spying case and his support for the radical singer Paul Robeson.
Given the choice between accepting an honorable discharge or facing a
military trial, he opted for a trial." Wow.
Now go to his Jerusalem Post obit by David M. Weinberg: "Interestingly, Rackman became very right-wing
politically in Israel, something that seemed to clash with his social
and religious liberalism and his passion for Jewish unity. 'There's no
contradiction,' he explained to me in 1997. 'My devotions are
all-embracing and absolute. I am consummately committed to the entire
Jewish People and totally committed to the whole Land of Israel!' he
declared."
Too bad, but there is the generational switch. I hope someone ended up telling him that Paul Robeson wasn't Jewish.
