Page 28 - Jewish News | November 2021

28A November 2021 COMMENTARY

Immaculate reaction Reflections on the 20 anniversary
th

By Rabbi Jonathan R. Katz, Community Chaplain of 9/11
ast December, Stephen Saxon Ammiano’s still living track coach
happened to turn on a San Fran- who recalled how, during the awards By Rabbi Howard A. Simon
Lcisco radio station just as Tom ceremony, he was asked to leave the wenty years have gone by since
Ammiano shared a humiliating yet for- school auditorium at one point to speak that terrible September day that
mative life event during an interview to an administrator in a hallway. Du-Tsaw jet planes crash into the
about his memoir, Kiss My Gay Ass, a ring this time, he assumed Ammiano twin towers in New York, the Pentagon
title appropriated from when he’d tak- had received the letter he had rightfully in Virginia and the field in Shanksville,

en former Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneg- earned. Pennsylvania. Our country and the
ger to task for his Acknowledging the school’s mal-world have gone through moments of
initial opposition feasance, the alumni affairs director continued strife and occa-
to same-sex mar- wrote Ammiano: “We most certainly sions of the utmost bravery.
riage. would like to right this wrong and we, As we reflect on the reality
A native of too, are more than dismayed by this of 9/11, we need to think
Montclair, New situation.” Referring to the school’s about some special people
Jersey, the 79-year- mascot, she indicated that Ammiano who made this 20 anni-
th
old Ammiano is possessed the heart of a lion and that versary so special.
a longtime pro- his character and conviction serve as His name is Michael
Rabbi Jonathan R. Katz gressive activist “an inspiration.” Arad, an Israeli citizen,
who served as president of both the San Since a representative would not the son of a former foreign
MENGELBERG DENTAL ARTS Francisco Board of Education and the be able to visit Ammiano in person, ambassador from Israel.
city’s Board of Supervisors as well
the school requested Saxon personally He was born in London,
5500 Bee Ridge Road Dr. John Mengelberg as a member of the California State deliver the custom-made letter embla-attended high school in Mexico City
Suite 101 Assembly in a trailblazing professional zoned on a resplendent white sweat-where his father Moshe was then post-
Sarasota and political career. er. When an appreciative Ammiano ed. He went to Dartmouth College and
A teacher by training and one of greeted Saxon at his door, he warmly returned to Israel to fulfill his required
the first public school instructors in announced the arrival of the “mitzvah service in the Israel Defense Forces.
San Francisco to reveal his gay iden- man.” He then attended graduate school in
tity, Ammiano successively advocated The pursuit of justice, such as the Atlanta, married Melanie Fitzpatrick
against discriminatory school hiring fight for equal rights, is frequently per-and moved to Manhattan.
based on sexual orientation. He spon- ceived in broad terms. But opportu- Michael, an architect, prepared
sored the legislation that enabled San nities to right wrongs are often found and submitted his design for the 9/11
Get the smile Francisco to become the first commu- within our purview on a much small-memorial. More than 5,200 designs
nity in the country to offer access to
er scale. The question is why certain were submitted and his was chosen.
of your dreams! We are a personalized and universal healthcare. An admirer and people pursue them while others either He envisioned a street-level memorial
patient oriented practice with ally of Harvey Milk, Ammiano also don’t seem to care, don’t want to take that could attract and hold the attention
played a leading role in requiring San
the time required, or assume that any of all visitors. He called it “Reflec-
an emphasis on cosmetic and Francisco to provide equal benefits to salient indignity or injustice will surely tive Absence.” With the completion
implant dentistry. employees and their unmarried domes- be addressed by someone else. Though of this memorial, Arad stated, “If the

Dr. Mengelberg performs tic partners. nether gay nor Catholic, Stephen terrorists thought they would sow fear
complex, cutting edge dental As a closeted, socially awkward Saxon’s heightened sense of responsi-
procedures while offering gay young man in 1950s New Jersey, bility motivated him to initiate a cause
world-class dental services. Ammiano endured significant bully- on behalf of someone he didn’t even
ing. Saxon, a computer engineer who know.
lost his job in the wake of the Covid The revered Rabbi Leo Baeck not-
Call us today! 941.371.2022 pandemic and now works as a part- ed, “A minority is compelled to think;

time cantor, listened intently when that is the blessing of its fate.” Saxon’s
Ammiano described an especially “thinking” reflects recognition of the
egregious incident he experienced at potential role all of us can play in rec-
Montclair’s Immaculate Conception tifying unfairness. In Hebrew, the term
High School. sim lev, translated as “pay attention,”
Seeking a more sympathetic stu- literally means “to put to one’s heart.”
dent cohort, Ammiano joined the track Acting on sim lev is how we defend
team where he occupied a low position against cynicism and indifference. It is
on the roster. Nevertheless, on a mem- the manifestation of our blessing as a
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through rain, mud and cold to claim Sim lev, of course, is not only re-
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SHALOMSRQ is the ultimate resource guide to everything Jewish Ammiano that the race of his life did or someone who strongly defends con-
in Sarasota and Manatee counties! It covers everything a local not actually count toward a varsity victions we hold dear. As Mark Twain
resident, visitor or newcomer needs to know: letter. famously remarked, “I can live for two
• Synagogues & Temples • Jewish Housing Incensed by this story, Saxon months on a good compliment.”
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your alumni who has lived a good Rabbi Jonathan R. Katz serves as the
What better way to enjoy a Jewish Florida lifestyle than with a and positive life.” Learning of the Community Chaplain and Director of
publication that will help make life easier!
email, the school’s director of alumni the JFCS Jewish Healing Program. His
affairs immediately undertook an in- position is underwritten by The Jewish
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