Worldwide Reality Check

September 20, 2001-More Questions, Less Answers

(photo-Brisbane)

Your rabbi emeritus/friend is a TV star. He made all the networks for the 6:00 news tonight. He joined with members of many faiths at a service called by the premier of Queensland. It was held in a park in Brisbane. In attendance was the Governor of the state (appointed by the Queen). The faiths represented were Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Uniting (Methodist), generic Protestant, Bahai, Hindu, Buddhist (a woman from New York who is organizing a group in Toowoomba), Muslim, Anglican, and our own American Rabbi. The clergy all wore vestments of one type or another, and David wore his black robe, tallis (prayer shawl), and kippah (skullcap).

The Muslims were introduced as “those who have suffered more than most in the aftermath of the terrorism.” Their mosque was defaced. I wasn’t having any of that. They read from the Koran about God being One and that we are all the children of Adam. The reading spoke of not condoning killing innocents. They said that when you kill one person it’s as if you have killed all humanity, but if you save one life it’s as if you have saved all humanity. These were not the Muslims who committed the atrocities on September 11, but these were Muslims who haven’t objected to the violence in Israel, when the Cole was sabotaged, or our marines blown up in Saudi.

The Christians spoke of love and peace and of coming together to understand one another. What do they think has been happening during all the attempts at peace negotiations? While we were talking, the terrorists were plotting. They offered a beautiful responsive prayer for those lost, those saved, the survivors, the president and his advisors, etc. David found it very moving. Unlike the other faiths, they ended with Christian specific language that excluded non-Christian participants.

The Buddhist monk prayed that hate would yield to compassion. She said that we are not individuals, but are one Being. I think that we are of the One and have shown compassion to our enemies. It has given them the time to organize a strike that killed upwards of 6,000 people last week. Do I sound bitter?

The premier offered condolences to those touched by the tragedy. He hoped to be able to help create a better world, come together for peace, and asked that attacks on Muslims cease.

An American representative from the consulate touched us both when she said that if you asked any American in Australia how they felt after the attack, they all said they wanted to be back in the U.S. It was an emotional moment for us. She thanked everyone for good wishes and support. She said, and I think rightly, that the attack was not on America, but on the World. There were people from 60 nations who were killed. She pointed out that there was a difference between those who practiced what their faith taught and violent extremists.

And what did David say amidst all the platitudes and warm fuzzies? He read the 37th Psalm. David asks that you read it when you have a chance. It calls on God to cut off evil men and to be patient. Our enemies will meet their end. After all, we are the people of a vengeful God, aren’t we? That’s what everyone always says about the Bible. As for me, I think that God has a very long fuse, but it’s about to end. Am I impatient? You bet. But the questions I’ve posed before still rankle. Why did it take this to make me understand the reach of terrorism? Why did it take this long for me to care so deeply? Why did it take until it actually hit home?

The service ended as it had begun with a youth choir singing. The closing song was Amazing Grace. The government and military dignitaries walked up to a 15 ft. high sandstone wall on which were draped the flags of Australia, Queensland, and U.S. and placed flowers at its base. People in the audience followed with their offerings. I have to tell you that this wall looked like The Wall in Jerusalem. Another heart rending moment.

As the crowd dispersed, I saw a woman dissolving in tears. Her companion was literally holding her up. I hugged her and thanked her for being there. Hearing my accent, she said she too was American. Her brother-in-law is a New York fire fighter. He’s inconsolable, but working at the site every day. David was approached by a couple of Jewish people in the audience who told him how they appreciated having a rabbi there. But what tore him up was when a young girl broke away from the choir and introduced herself as Jewish. Then a woman came up to him and said, “I’m an American Jew and I need an American hug.” Lots of hugs. Lots of tears.

Brisbane Impressions

We spent the rest of the day sightseeing in downtown Brisbane. I have to tell you that it wasn’t an impressive city. I may be spoiled after Sydney. Brisbane is smaller than Cleveland but bigger than Akron. Its “oldest” landmarks date to the mid-1800’s. The drive in took about an hour and we were entertained by some of the signage along the way. One politely said, “Please drive quietly. This is a residential district.” We were on a 6-lane expressway. How quiet could we be?

Some Answers

Learned some interesting facts from the Bruces at dinner last night. There’s zero tolerance for drivers between the ages of 17-20 having any alcohol in their breath or blood. They will lose their license and have to re-test at age 21. Adults can only have 0.05%. We also learned that there’s no income tax on winnings from gambling, contests, or game shows.

David told them story of how a woman told him she had given her husband the wog and that’s why he had pneumonia. That was a conversation stopper. Evidently “wog” is an epithet for Italian and Greek immigrants. It’s crassly used to refer to the diseases they spread because many were sick when they arrived in Australia. Whoops!

We told them about seeing a 3-4” cricket on the road and they agreed that was indeed a veggie-eating grasshopper. In fact, Syd said he’s a bit afraid of them. They attack! Wouldn’t you know that Australia has aggressive crickets? I don’t know what they do when they jump on you. Maybe they rub you to death with their hind legs.

Toby