Roe v. Wade - 40 yrs. is a long time, yet not enough

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the landmark ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court protecting a woman's right to choose when it comes to abortion. (For those still caught up in the politics of the debate over the issue, you should actually read the case, its background, and the decision published by the Court, for clarification. On Constitutional grounds, there is really no arguing against the position offered, 7-2 by the justices, based on their understanding of right to privacy, etc.).

Anyhoo - over most of my lifetime, the conflict between Pro-choice and Anti-choice (which I prefer to the term "Pro-life", as most "pro-lifers" regarding abortion are also ignorant fascists very much in support of capital punishment) has been raging as one of the most significant political items of our generation.

Unfortunately, the massive amount of attention, funding and time given to the abortion debate has been allowed to derail the broader set of ideas related to women's health care, health care access, and the fundamental right of all American's to be afforded the best in medical services no matter what (hey, I'm just a loud-mouthed progressive)....

Don't get me wrong - I understand that the decision to have an abortion is powerful, difficult and pushes a woman (or couple ) to question many things about their understanding of life and family. I also know that this choice is (and MUST remain) very personal - sacred and unique to the individual and situation involved. 

Though there can be no perfect, singular response regarding abortion - we must continue to promote, protect and safeguard the right to choose - no matter what that choice might be.

In memory of Kurt Simon

Here are the remarks I shared at the funeral service of Kurt Simon on Friday, January 11, 2013

It seems that many times when we memorialize a loved one, we say “wow, this person lived such a fulfilling, varied and interesting life – we could have written a book, or made a film.” Well, with Kurt Simon, we did just that. Kurt lived such a full, wide-ranging and fascinating life that there is a book (published by IUSB) and a documentary (produced by WNIT) among a whole host of other articles, tributes and acknowledgments that have been published about him. In many ways, Kurt Simon lived the proverbial American dream. He came here as a refugee from Europe; attained a very good education that allowed him to build a great career; he was a successful businessman and community leader; he was a generous donor who provided so much that has benefited so many of us in this very room, and well beyond.Kurt has been a major benefactor of a great number of worthy endeavors in our community. He has lent his name, spirit and generosity to so many different institutions and agencies. His name adorns a variety of foundations, funds and educational programs, and facilities as well. You are surely familiar with them, and, these are but a few of the pieces about Kurt that we can easily read about in the record of his life.Kurt Simon was much more. He was a person of passion who cared deeply about the various things that mattered to him. He was frank and forthright, never allowing you to wonder about his opinion. And mostly, he was a caring human being who desired, it seemed to me, to live long enough to take care of everyone in his life.He was fortunate to enjoy love and friendship along life’s path, first of course with Tessye and Bobby, and more recently through companionship with Mary Lou. Kurt’s life has been filled with loving relatives and dedicated friends, truly almost too many to mention. After 99+ years, perhaps this is the greatest accomplishment of all. It is an honor to be among today’s assembly of family, friends and community to honor Kurt’s life.

Paying tribute to him today, we must also acknowledge Kurt’s special dedication to the Jewish community and to this congregation, Temple Beth-El, of which he was immensely proud. I do not mean to refer to the name on the wall down the hall “The Kurt and Tessye Simon Education Building”, nor to his endowment of the various funds and programs we enjoy that bear his name. Rather, Kurt was proud of – no LOVED – you! The members of this congregation, the people of this community, became a beloved extension of Kurt’s family. He greatly enjoyed knowing us all, appreciating the roles we played in his life; and of course, he LOVED our knowing him as well, and thrived on the relationships he made among us.

Most especially, as his life continued, Kurt became enamored with children and young people. He relished the opportunity to be among our kids. Watching them learn, play and simply be around, Kurt would often whisper, with almost a tear in his eye, “how beautiful!” Enabling and ensuring the future for the children of this community was a joy for Kurt, yet another fruit of his labor that he cherished the chance to witness.

Just a few weeks ago, on a lovely Saturday morning, Kurt came to Temple for our Shabbat service, as he usually did. Asking to get a glass of water, he and I walked together into the kitchen. I grabbed a cup, filled it for him as we continued to chat. Then he turned to me: “Rabbi, you can begin writing the final words now.” At first I didn’t follow him, as I was thinking of beginning our service. He continued, “You know, the final words about me.” I responded that any such beautiful day where he and I could stand together was a great one, and let’s just take it a day at a time.

And now today, as we say farewell to Kurt Simon, we think of the ways he enriched our lives, as a friend or family member, as a business associate or board member, as a patron or adviser. Kurt led a life of service, teaching us by example how to turn ones luck, hard work and good fortune into something bigger that benefited us all. So, appropriately, I’ll leave the last words to him: may we too, in our own time, learn to “do our giving while we are living.”

ZICHRONO LIVRACHA – may Kurt Simon’s memory be for blessing.