Thanks for the thoughtful essay! One things that I’ve always wondered about is how some Jewish people were enslavers and supported the CSA; Judah Benjamin was an important member of the CSA cabinet. And yet Jewish people had been persecuted for centuries. Seems like such a paradox. I say this as someone who’s 50% Jewish; my father fled Nazi Germany in 1935.
I didn’t know you were Jewish! Yeah it does seem very counterintuitive. Self preservation played a role, I’m sure, though that’s no excuse. I think you’d really be interested in the documentary Delta Jews. I have it on dvd if you want to borrow—I’m not sure where else it’s available.
Very powerful. As a Cleveland native who practices law here, I thought this was a fantastic piece of writing. Jeff and Barbara are wonderful people, and their children were contemporaries of mine. Please come back soon to our area of the world!
Thank you for such a powerful and poignant reflection. So much of what you see in much of Christianity resonates with me: “As much as I love the South, I loathe the closeminded sects of Christianity that have rooted here like parasites in the body of a willing host. I hate the bigots who cloak themselves with Bible verses, mistaking prejudice for righteousness.” Regrettably I find a lot of that in folks whose membership is not in closeminded sects but in supposedly in more mainline groups. Looking forward to finding Casey Parks’ book.
Thank you so much, Johnny. Your open-hearted example always inspires me. And you are right about mainline groups. What a time we are in. Let me know what you think of Casey Parks’ book!
Thanks for the thoughtful essay! One things that I’ve always wondered about is how some Jewish people were enslavers and supported the CSA; Judah Benjamin was an important member of the CSA cabinet. And yet Jewish people had been persecuted for centuries. Seems like such a paradox. I say this as someone who’s 50% Jewish; my father fled Nazi Germany in 1935.
I didn’t know you were Jewish! Yeah it does seem very counterintuitive. Self preservation played a role, I’m sure, though that’s no excuse. I think you’d really be interested in the documentary Delta Jews. I have it on dvd if you want to borrow—I’m not sure where else it’s available.
Yes, at some point I would like to watch the documentary. Thanks!
Very powerful. As a Cleveland native who practices law here, I thought this was a fantastic piece of writing. Jeff and Barbara are wonderful people, and their children were contemporaries of mine. Please come back soon to our area of the world!
Thanks so much, John. I’m actually in town now for a board meeting—unfortunately it will be a quick turnaround. I love Cleveland and the Delta!
Thank you for such a powerful and poignant reflection. So much of what you see in much of Christianity resonates with me: “As much as I love the South, I loathe the closeminded sects of Christianity that have rooted here like parasites in the body of a willing host. I hate the bigots who cloak themselves with Bible verses, mistaking prejudice for righteousness.” Regrettably I find a lot of that in folks whose membership is not in closeminded sects but in supposedly in more mainline groups. Looking forward to finding Casey Parks’ book.
Thank you so much, Johnny. Your open-hearted example always inspires me. And you are right about mainline groups. What a time we are in. Let me know what you think of Casey Parks’ book!
Will do - hoping I can get a copy at Friendly City Books. Btw, if you haven't read - check out Theo of Golden. Beautiful, beautiful story.
If you can’t, I will lend you my copy. I will absolutely check out Theo of Golden!