In praise of Heschel

Gal Beckerman’s Sept. 17 article about Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel’s success in spurring the Soviet Jewry movement really did not give the complete picture of this remarkable man.

Even before the struggle for Jewish freedom in the former Soviet Union, Rabbi Heschel identified with the civil rights struggle that was sweeping America during the ’60s. He brought with him all the weight of his passion to help make that movement one of the most meaningful in the history of the United States by marching with the Reverend Martin Luther King in Selma, Ala. In the early stages of the movement that took courage – and he had it.

Rabbi Heschel was truly a man for all seasons.

Get The Jewish Standard Newsletter by email and never miss our top stories Free Sign Up