Politics and Advocacy Take Center Stage at Barrack Hebrew Academy

The following is my story in the February 20, 2020 edition of the Philadelphia Jewish Link about Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy’s quadrennial political conference on modern American democracy and a special keynote address by Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice David Wecht:

Politics and Advocacy Take Center Stage at Barrack Hebrew Academy

PA Supreme Court Justice David Wecht

As the students at Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy in Bryn Mawr began filling the cavernous cafeteria on Thursday morning, February 13th, the excitement was palpable. There was a buzz in the air as POLITICON 2020 was set to get underway.

A quadrennial political conference on modern American democracy, Barrack’s POLITICON is intended to educate the student body on a wide variety of issues within the fields of politics, law, media, and government.

After welcoming remarks from Barrack seniors Sarah Bartos and Sophia Shapiro who are Co-Presidents of the school’s Political Action Club, Head of School Sharon Levin spoke briefly to the students about the importance of voting. “What is going on in the news and in our government is so very important,” she said. “Voting is so important.”

David Senoff, a Philadelphia attorney and Akiba Hebrew Academy graduate who was involved in the first POLITICON 36 years ago, introduced the keynote speaker, Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice David N. Wecht, whose remarks primarily focused on the history and resurgence of anti-Semitism and the judicial perspective.

After opening his remarks by noting how glad he was to be at Barrack and making a joke that drew laughs from the crowd – “I know that Mr. Barrack bought the naming rights from Rabbi Akiba” – Justice Wecht spoke about the importance of voting and getting involved in civic affairs. “Our government is responsive to the actions of citizens, and it is imperative that your voice be heard,” he said.

As he talked about the experience of his father’s family in the Holocaust, Justice Wecht commented that, “it’s always good to know where a person is coming from.”

He also spoke about the shul where he and his wife got married, the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, where a gunman walked in on a Shabbat morning in October 2018 and murdered 11 Jews. He specifically mentioned Cecil and David Rosenthal, two brothers with special needs who were killed that day during the deadly rampage. “They were the sweetest guys you could ever meet,” he said. “Hashem yikom damam – May God avenge their blood.”

“It is very imperative that whatever you do in your lives, you seek justice,” he said, imparting another important lesson to the students. “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof – Justice, justice you shall pursue. That’s not just for lawyers – that’s for all people.”

“There have been many golden ages of the galut, of the diaspora,” said Justice Wecht. “We live in a golden age in this country… Do you think this golden age is ending? In part, it may be up to you… You should be involved in the government of this country and you should be involved in shaping the future of this country, not just as Americans, but as American Jews – as proud Jews.”

PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro

The judge referenced the growing anti-Semitism that exists in the United States, including the desecration of Jewish cemeteries, and told the students that anti-Semitism can be beaten back through their vigorous actions “to ensure this golden age of the galut does not end.”

“As students, you should all speak up, take a leadership role and never hide,” he said. “You should be leaders, not followers.”

Justice Wecht spoke about the history of anti-Semitism in Europe and the Holocaust. “Now, all these years afterwards, memories are fading, and part of your job is to remind people and never let them forget the history that our people have undergone.”

He also delved into the issue of anti-Semitism on college campuses throughout the United States, which he said has “grown like a virus.”

“I hope you will be pro-Israel activists; I hope you will be proud Jews and be involved in Jewish life on campus in some way,” he said. “This kind of abominable anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism, anti-Israel activity goes on and too many Jewish students and faculty just cower, just disappear, and do nothing about it. I hope that when you go to college, you’ll be there telling the truth.”

Justice Wecht talked to the students about some of the lessons he learned from Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Elie Wiesel, who was one of his professors during his time at Yale University. “It is our duty to strengthen Am Yisrael, not weaken it,” said the judge.

The PA Supreme Court Justice also discussed the nature of the law in the United States and the importance of those laws in the lives of American Jews.

“In this country, our law embodies important constitutional values… Our constitution in this country stands, among other things, for the principle of minority protection. This is unique in the history of the galut, of the Jewish diaspora… Your right to practice your Judaism freely does not depend on a majority vote of the American people at any given time.”

Justice Wecht also touched upon the misconception that it’s only ultra-Orthodox Jews being attacked in Brooklyn, Poway or Jersey City. “Those are your brothers and your sisters, and don’t ever forget that,” he told the students.

“I hope you will not be a Jew who shirks away from your Jewish identity... You should always remember in your life, Kol Yisrael arevim zeh la zeh, all of the people of Israel are responsible one for the other, and the principle of Ahavat Yisrael, love of all Jews, Jewish solidarity.”

“Get involved in the community,” said Justice Wecht as he concluded his remarks. “Always be proud of where you come from.”

Shira Goodman, Regional Director of ADL Philadelphia

Following the keynote address, students went to various workshop sessions hosted by leaders in advocacy, governmental law, and foreign and national policy and politics. The sessions included one by Attorney General Josh Shapiro, an Akiba Hebrew Academy graduate, who spoke about the workings of the AG’s office, “Contours of Gun Policy in PA and the Nation: Understanding the Second Amendment,” which featured Max Milkman from CeaseFire PA and Jonathan Goldstein representing the NRA, and a discussion by Shira Goodman, Regional Director, Philadelphia Region of the Anti-Defamation League, about anti-Semitism today.

“Having engaged students is the key to changing our world,” Attorney General Josh Shapiro told the Philadelphia Jewish Link. “You see students leading on climate, you see students leading on criminal justice reform, you see students leading on dealing with gun violence in ways that adults just aren’t. That engagement is central to who we are as a Jewish people and it is something that is taught here at Barrack and is clearly something that is emphasized at this beautiful conference. Having this moment where students are able to focus their attention on advocating for things that they care deeply about is so important. To be clear, I don’t think it matters if you are Republican, Democrat, left-leaning or right-leaning – the key is to be engaged in your community.”

After the breakout sessions concluded, students took part in a mock primary election and had the opportunity to cast their vote for one of the Democratic presidential candidates. Pete Buttigieg (who was played by junior Micah Israel), emerged victorious, with Bernie Sanders (who was played by senior Luke Finklestein), coming in second.