Wellstone's Memorial Service Was Not in the Jewish Tradition

by HOWARD M. BERLIN

11/8/2002

Jews should be ashamed and outraged by the spectacle that took place during the memorial service for Sen. Paul Wellstone, who with his wife, daughter, and several others, tragically died in a plane crash on October 25.

I don't know if Wellstone or his family were active practicing Jews or not, and it probably doesn't matter much. I guess the surviving two sons, as onenim, have the right to call the shots but one cheapened the Jewish memory of his parents and sister. He helped turn the memorial service in to a partisan political circus with all the fiery "continue the struggle" rhetoric in his hesped (eulogy) in tune with the cheers and foot stomping for Democrats, while loud boos were reserved for Republicans in attendance.

Jewish memorial services traditionally are dignified affairs and often reflect on the meaning of the verses of ma adom—What is Man? However, there was very little of this that night. Politics was not put aside and the concern here was not for yekara d'schichba (for honor of the deceased), but for the obsession to keep Wellstone's Senate seat in Democratic hands.

Yes, various ethnic groups have their traditional sendoffs. The Irish have their wakes; Blacks in New Orleans have lively tributes with Jazz and parades. Although the liberalism espoused by Wellstone has been part of the Jewish tradition, the disgusting spectacle at the staged political rally disguised as a memorial service is not part of the Jewish tradition and should be repudiated by American Jews and organizations for the farce it was.