For this memorial day, I’ve chosen to visit the Salt Lake Jewish Cemetery. It is a small section of Salt Lake Cemetery, and was given to the Jewish community by the Mormon Church during the pioneer days before the territory became a state.
“Such is the patriot’s boast, where’er we roam,
His first, best country ever is, at home.” – Oliver Goldsmith
We Jews, by culture tend to be loyal wherever we reside. Integrate well into any society, language, culture or forms of government. Until the atrocities of World War II, there were Jews of every citizenship, color, culture and political loyalties. Here in Utah, despite being a small minority among Latter-Day Saints majority, we have done well and contributed locally and to the war efforts of the United States.
“Patriotism is a thing of the heart. A man is a patriot if his heart beats true for his nation.” – Charles Jefferson
Today, on this Memorial Day I was sadden to witness so few visitors in this section of the cemetery. And I brought rocks for the oldest graves, because I wonder if they have anyone left to remember them.
“Patriotism is the admission that people who share a land, a place, and a history have a special obligation to that place and to each other.” – David Enrenfeld
I often feel like an outside in the United States due to my skin color, and of course my Judaism. But yet I have always made it a point to share the obligation that this land is my land. And these graves here are a reminder that wherever we reside, we make the place our home. And therefore we share in the obligation of taking care of our home.
Saying Kaddish for those who may have no one to say for them.
United States is my home, and perhaps I too shall lay here and join these brave men who gave so much more to our land and our people.
“This country is our Palestine, this city our Jerusalem, this house of G-d our Temple.” – Rabbi Gustav Posnanski, 1841, Charlestown, SC
