Kehillat Ma'arav - Santa Monica, CA | Conservative Synagogue

Voice Articles

Home > Education > Voice Articles > President's Message > July 2008

President's Message
July 2008

Jewish Values in Descent and Ascendency

As we approach another set of High Holy Days, I am asking myself a question: Are Jewish values advancing or in decline? During the past month I had two separate experiences which were illustrative of countervailing, yet surprising, answers to this question.

In July, I had the great good fortune to attend an event called the Justice Ball sponsored by the Jewish legal services organization Bet Tzedek. Bet Tzedek ("House of Justice"), founded in 1974 by a group of Jewish lawyers, Rabbis and community activists, provides free legal assistance to the disadvantaged through its many centers throughout Los Angeles County. Bet Tzedek's website states that the idea which served as the basis for its founding was the "central tenet of Jewish law and tradition: ÔTzedek, tzedek, tirdof - Justice, justice you shall pursue.'"

The Justice Ball is the organization's major fund-raising event, the centerpiece of which is a big gala with a concert performed by a headline band. This year, the major draw was the 80's era band, the Psychedelic Furs. Don't worry if that means nothing to you. You had to be a teenager in the 80's, but believe me, they were big for awhile.

The event was wonderful and I was happy to spend my money there. I have one rather major quibble though. The event began prior to the end of Shabbat. Now, this is a great organization which admittedly caters not only to Jews, but to the community at large. However, for an organization that boasts that its very purpose is to adhere to the central tenets of Jewish Law and tradition to sponsor a concert during Shabbat, is a sign to me of Jewish values in decline.

As surprising as it was to find such an example of the decline of Jewish values from a Jewish organization, my example of the ascendency of Jewish values is perhaps more surprising. It comes from Hollywood. More specifically, from the movie, Batman Begins. I watched this 2006 movie, starring Christian Bale, to prepare me for seeing Batman: The Dark Knight, which recently opened to wide acclaim.

In Batman Begins, the protagonist, Bruce Wayne, as part of his effort to hide his super-hero persona, pretends to be a shallow playboy. In one scene, he frolics in a hotel fountain with several young women. As he is leaving the hotel, he bumps into his love interest, played by Katie Holmes. Embarrassed, he tells her: "All of this is not really who I am inside." Katie Holmes, who plays an assistant district attorney, replies with perhaps one of the most Jewish utterances that I have ever heard in a popular movie. She says, and I may be paraphrasing slightly: "Oh Bruce, it's what we do that makes us who we are, not who we think we are inside."

Wow. That line by itself is enough to make me want to buy the movie. It also tells me that at least in Gotham City, Jewish values are ascendant. May it be God's will.

Jamie Green
President