Dr. Christopher M. Leighton Honored by the American Jewish Committee
Posted May 7, 2009
Introduction by Rabbi Joel H. Zaiman
Today is the 27th day of Nisan, that day set aside by the Israeli Kenneset at the urging of Ben Gurion to memorialize those Jews who died under the Nazis. That date was established by the Kenneset in 1951. It was meant to be and it is a secular holiday. It has no institutional ritual, no set forms of observance. Indeed, Hasidim and the right wing of the Orthodox stream in Judaism completely ignore the day.
Why? Among the reasons: In 1949, two years before the Kenneset declared the 27th of Nisan, the chief rabbinate of Israel designated Tisha B'av and/or Asarah b'Tevet as the proper vehicles for commemorating the deaths of the six million. The logic: these were already sacred days in the Jewish calendar. Days which commemorated destruction. Days which commemorated events which could easily have spelled the end of the Jewish people.
Note: the initial impetuous to establish an official day of mourning came from the Chief Rabbinate. Two years later secular Zionists felt compelled to redeem the remembrance of the six million from the hands of the chief rabbinate. The government did not want the frame of that remembrance to be "religious." To quote Tom Segev: "Holocaust Memorial culture was meant to be an integral part of the Secular National Symbolism of the Zionist Movement in the State of Israel."
The result: Sixty years later the few remaining Holocaust survivors and their children, joined by many of us, are worried that the memories and lessons of the Shoah will be forgotten.
I doubt that this meeting date was chosen because it is Yom HaShoah. I doubt whether anyone thought that perhaps it might be an inappropriate day for such a meeting. I come to tell you, however, that this is a perfect day to recognize and honor the Reverend Dr. Christopher Leighton for his distinguished service in interfaith relations.
Rather than light candles we turn the spotlight on someone who in his very being embodies the values to be culled from the Shoah which we want embodied. Rather than creating a "catchers catch can" liturgy which helps to enshrine our victimhood, the American Jewish Committee has created an opportunity for us to proudly proclaim who we are, who we are meant to be and why it is that the world needs us. Rather than rounding up the usual suspects – (1) elected officials (what would Yom HaShoah be without them?), (2) noted authors who write about the Shoah and (3) wealthy benefactors whose kindness and generosity allow for the various observances – we gather, those of us who care deeply about interfaith relations to honor one of our own.
Chris Leighton's accomplishments have been vetted by a committee which chose him. Clearly they are noteworthy and significant. More interesting, for me, are the virtues, the habits of mind and heart, which require Chris to do the work which he does. I use the word "require" purposely. Random acts of kindness may be important and certainly are grist for the story mill, but they are hardly sustaining – hardly enough to provide meaning and purpose to one's work and one's life.
What motivates Chris?
First: He is a Christian. I would venture to say that the vast majority of Jews do not know what a Christian is, let alone what a Christian is supposed to be.
An example: Chris at Krieger Schechter and the complaints I received.
The point: If you scratch a Christian you are supposed to find an anti-Semite. And often, you don't even have to scratch.
You can scratch Chris Leighton from today till doom's day and all you'll find is a good Christian. One who takes his faith so seriously and the challenge it poses – faith is not for sissies you see – that he is willing to recognize not only its glories but also its failures; not only its potential for goodness but its potential for evil. The Sacred Writings of Judaism, Christianity, Islam are rife with toxic texts. That the New Testament contains anti-Judaism texts is understandable. That it contains many anti-Semitic texts, less so. And while Christianity is not responsible for the Shoah, Christianity certainly through its teaching of contempt for the Jewish people, prepared fertile ground for Hitler and company. Chris – with both heart and mind – understands that. More. He has dedicated his life to doing something about it.
What precisely? Studying those sacred texts, with both Jews and Christians – in order to demystify them, in order to recognize those texts which are toxic acknowledge and reject them.
For Chirs, it's not just a nice thing to do. Its primary purpose is not so that Jews and Christians can work together for the commonweal; it's not to fight anti-Semitism as such. It is to examine one's heart, to understand one's own faith tradition. It means defanging Christianity but it also means understanding the other as the other understands himself, to make place for him in your understanding of your own tradition and to acknowledge and embrace the differences, rejoicing in those differences.
Interfaith work is hard work. Chris does the hard work. And because he is by nature non-threatening, accepting, embracing of the other, people trust him. He is trustworthy. His search for meaning. His openness encourages openness in others. Only then can the real work of interfaith understanding begin. That is the work of ICJS. That is Chris' work.
It's risky. Not because the other is trying to convert you but because you are going to be revealed to yourself in ways in which you never expected.
Nothing excites Chris more than a new idea. His mind never rests. He is always coming up with that which is new in order to break through existing understandings and prejudices.
He knows how to listen and he knows when and how to speak. Words either draw us closer together or they push us farther apart. When Chris speaks he welcomes you into his heart and mind and draws you closer to those values which he cherishes.
He is constantly reading. He is a voracious reader. Few people have experienced a cranky Chris but, if he doesn't get a chance to read for more than a short period of time, he becomes cranky.
He knows so much – about so many different things. His interests are so broad. His understanding so profound and varied.
He is so curious about anything and everything human. He challenges and supports. He takes away one crutch but always helps you to balance and move forward without it. He is a visionary, that is he sees what can be. He is practical, he works toward the fulfillment of those dreams. Occasionally he does get lost in the world of ideas. But always finds his way out into the world of action and proceeds to do something about those ideas.
He is a wonderful and loyal and loving friend. Hard not to love him. A colleague, a study partner, a mentor.
I present this award of The American Jewish Committee to Chris and I present Chris to you.
Rabbi Joel H. Zaiman
ICJS Trustee
