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The Cantor's Voice
December 2005

How would you define the term, "Jewish Hero?"

Clearly the term could be understood by different people to mean different things. I would even go so far as to say that a Jewish hero does not necessarily need to be Jewish (Oscar Schindler comes to mind), although no doubt it would help.

Advancing specifically Jewish causes or behaving in a way that brings far-reaching positive benefit to the Jewish people or to Israel would, in all likelihood, help one to qualify as a Jewish hero (at least in my book.)

Do you know who Robert Aumannn is? I would argue that he is a Jewish hero. Professor Aumann, is one of two recipients of the 2005 Nobel Prize in Economics. Why is he a Jewish hero? Well, I would say that he is a Jewish hero for several reasons.

Professor Aumann is one of the preeminent game theorists in the world. If you're like me, you aren't too familiar with what game theory is, it can be defined simply as a branch of applied mathematics that studies strategic situations where players choose different actions in attempt to maximize their returns (Wikipedia).

Professor Aumann teaches at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, having made aliyah from the US in 1956. He has taught in many prestigious universities in the United States.

Not only is he a man of science, he is also a religious Jew. He talks about the beauty of keeping kosher and Shabbat when interviewed. He speaks lovingly of his family, to which he is a devoted father and grandfather (17 grandchildren.) His wife passed away a number of years ago.

When accepting the Nobel Prize, Professor Aumann mentioned that award was important for him, but more important for Israel, because it helps give Israel positive exposure in the world.

Yasher Koach to Professor Robert Aumann -- 2005 Nobel Prize winner, and Jewish hero.

Keith Miller
Hazzan
Director of Education