Rabbi's Week in Review Blog

Over this past weekend the community honored the memory of Leonard Zeskind. An afternoon of learning about, and engaging in, fighting White Supremacy, White Christian Nationalism, and Neo-Nazis provided a needed, if not scary, reality check on the threat of these groups to our democracy, and the anti Semitic foundation upon which their hateful ideologies are based.

“Lenny” was the preeminent voice in the country, and really in the world. in undertaking the most extensive research on these fascists groups, warning of the threats posed, and leading the fight against their encroachment on our democracy. Lenny courageously would go in disguise to Klu Klux Klan meetings. He received a McArthur Genius Grant which subsequently led to his book: Blood and Politics.  

It was my good mazel to have connected to Lenny on a number of occasions through work on rights for low wage workers. Lenny was what you would refer to as a blue collar worker, working at the GM plant here in town, and at a local steel factory. Lenny, more often then not, would point out something I did wrong or could have done better. Rather than finding it annoying, I was and am grateful that he would spend the time trying to make me better in my work.

I leave my reflections with two quotes of Lenny’s. One, that we should remember that Nazis are people too and, going after Nazis can be fun. It was Lenny’s genius, his tireless and courageous work, and yes, his sense of humor that sustains me and so many more in the work we do for a more just world. May Leonard Zeskind’s name and memory always be for a blessing.  It is through continuing his work that we will make it so.