Posted on November 22, 2024 by Rabbi David Katz
On a Friday, sixty-one years ago today, President Kennedy was assassinated. For those who are old enough to remember, that day still lives. “Where were you when you heard Kennedy was shot?” For those who can remember, that moment continues to replay itself. John Fitzgerald Kennedy remains present even now.
We Jews have a long history of being suspicious of secular authorities – a long history. Moses stood up to the cruel Pharaoh. “Let my people go.” Mordechai refused to bow down to the wicked Haman who was bent on our destruction. The Maccabees fought against Antiochus, a tyrant forbidding us to live as Jews. Throughout history we have been the enemy of dictators because we proclaimed that their power is limited. There is a “King of kings.” As Jews we are taught to be vigilant and wary of secular authorities. Government officials must be watched carefully.
Not so John Kennedy. He was our favorite son. Eighty three percent of Jews voted for him and we trusted him. The press gave him a pass. His trysts went unreported and became the subject of myth. Marilyn Monroe sang “Happy Birthday Mr. President” and we were in AWE…. Jews and gentiles alike.
We weren’t suspicious; no, we were jealous! He was red-haired, ruddy, and handsome, disarming us with a wry sense of humor, incredibly self-assured, extraordinarily wealthy, a war hero, an eloquent writer and fine speaker who regaled us with a strange and endearing Boston accent. He was the most powerful man in the country, leader of the free world and, on top of it, he loved his elderly mother. He sired two adorable children who played hide and seek in the Oval Office AND he married the Prom Queen: Jackie!
Yes, Jackie. Ken and Barbie could hardly keep up with Jack and Jackie. Barbie wore super cute outfits; Jackie wore Christian Dior. Barbie was mute; Jackie spoke French fluently. Barbie lived in a doll house; Jackie lived in the White House! For us, fact was now more fun than fiction.
By what standard was Kennedy a successful President? He didn’t get very much important legislation passed. There is no bill he authored that revolutionized society. (The Civil Rights Bill was really Johnson’s achievement.) The Bay of Pigs was a disaster and though it appeared the Russians backed down during the Cuban Missile crisis they got what they wanted when months later the U.S. removed its recently installed nuclear missiles from Turkey and Italy. On the domestic scene and in foreign relations we could hardly call the Kennedy administration a success. So what is it then about President Kennedy that continues to inspire us?
It is this – President Kennedy instilled a joyful idealism and optimism in us, pointing the way to new frontiers. He shared his grand dreams with us no matter how crazy and impossible they seemed to carry out. “Get physically fit, be strong and vigorous.” “Aim high!” he proclaimed. “We’re going to the moon!”
Most importantly, he defined the highest achievement as improving the world. The Peace Corp. was his idea. Tikkun Olam was framed as civic responsibility: “ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU, ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY.” This was for us, as Jews, the deepest meaning of the word ‘mitzvah’ for we are commanded to serve God by creating a better world.
Sixty-one years ago today the President was struck by a bullet to his head. On that day our expectations for ourselves were brought down, as well. Hope was halted. Beauty became blood-stained. The cheering crowds turned into lines of mourners. The lead horse went without its rider. Thanksgiving was dead in 1963.
Our tradition teaches us that at the moment of death the soul does not depart immediately. When a person dies we continue to sense the soul’s presence. That person is less than a ghost but certainly more than a memory.
President Kennedy is remembered in photos and movies. We watch the film clip of him waving from that limo, greeting us with a smile. Though a distant echo from history, we continue to hear his call to action. The eternal flame over his grave reminds us of his stirring words, his finest phrases… that the torch is passed to a new generation. It is an Eternal Light reminding us of our highest ideals.
What is inspiration? It is a convertible form of spiritual energy that turns into valiant action when we are made to see the best in ourselves. President Kennedy was beloved by so many because he believed each one of us had the power to change the world. He was a profile in courage and his greatest gift as a leader was giving courage to us all.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Katz
