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Friday May 28, 2004

Daniel Pearl’s words inspire others in book on Jewish reflections

by suzanne weiss
correspondent

No matter how great the tragedy, how shocking the scandal, it seems inevitable that someone will write a book about it. Given that, at first glance, “I Am Jewish, Personal Reflections Inspired by the Last Word of Daniel Pearl,” would seem to be just another case of profiteering on someone’s loss. But look again. You can’t always judge a book by its cover.

“I Am Jewish” was organized and edited by Judea and Ruth Pearl, the parents of the young Wall Street Journal correspondent who was brutally murdered by Islamic terrorists in Pakistan three years ago. Much of that loss was their own. All proceeds will benefit the Daniel Pearl Foundation, a music and journalism philanthropy dedicated to peace and world understanding. Pretty good use of profits there.

Just before he died, the journalist said, “My father is Jewish, my mother is Jewish, I am Jewish.” The Pearls and their publisher, Stuart M. Matlins of Jewish Lights, cooked up an eclectic stew of reflections on Jewish identity, stirring in a liberal helping of heavy hitters as well as comments from men and women on the street, rabbis and 10-year-old kids from Boca Raton and West Palm Beach. It is best consumed not in one gulp, but savored in small helpings.

Much of it is predictable. The politicians (Joe Lieberman, Sen. Dianne Feinstein et al) are somewhat political. The rabbis (Lawrence Kushner, Zalman M. Schacter-Shalomi, etc.) deliver their sermons, and the Zionists make their case for the state of Israel as Jewish refuge — as do many other contributors.

Weighing in for the writers, Israeli author A.B. Yehoshua is terribly wordy, Cynthia Ozick and Amos Oz wonderfully succinct and David Grossman (“See Under: Love”) honest about his alienation. Elie Wiesel is brilliant as always, and Wendy Wasserstein contributes a bit of her trademark shtick. South African Nadine Gordimer may be best of all when she says: “Recognize yourself in others … That would be the end of racism.”

From the world of entertainment, Larry King is funny but Jackie Mason is not. Go figure. Richard Dreyfuss makes a passionate case for the “Jewish agnostic” and Kirk Douglas comes off as pretty stupid — or maybe just an octogenarian, which he is. Musicians Debbie Friedman and Theodore Bikel liken their Judaism to music. Bikel’s bit is particularly lovely:

“I make no claim that Jewish culture is superior to other cultures or that the Jewish song is better than the song of my neighbor. But it is mine. And since it is the song of my people, it is up to me to cultivate it, lest the garden become desolate and the blooms wither and die.” Nice stuff.

There are some surprises of the “funny, he doesn’t look Jewish” variety. Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary fame? Kitty Dukakis? Actor Joshua Malina, the newest kid on the “West Wing” block? Newsman Mike Wallace? Olympian gymnast Kerri Strug? The distinguished British historian Sir Martin Gilbert?

Did you know that famed hairdresser Vidal Sassoon served in the elite force Palmach/Haganah in his youth? Or that the small Jewish community in Uganda, founded in 1919, survived the murderous regime of Idi Amin in a manner not unlike the Marranos during the Spanish Inquisition to emerge some 600 strong today? Broadcaster Daniel Schorr contributes a tale that does the media proud, although in it he confesses a concealment of the facts for which his then boss, Edward R. Murrow, forgave him.

There are numerous surprises and delights in “I Am Jewish,” some inspired by the Pearl tragedy, some simply grown out of the speaker’s own life. From Shimon Peres to a Korean-Jewish female rabbi to a 15-year-old Georgian identified just as Amanda, there is a wealth of thought and feeling in this book.

In an attempt at organization, the editors have divided it into sections: “Identity,” “Heritage,” “Covenant, Chosenness (sic) and Faith,” “Humanity and Ethnicity” and “Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) and Justice.” But it still is all over the place, not adhering to category and, inevitably repetitious in places. Just dip in where you will. You’re sure to find something to your taste.

“I Am Jewish: Personal Reflections Inspired by the Last Words of Daniel Pearl” (260 pages, Jewish Lights Publishing, $24.99).

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