Traverse City Record-Eagle

Perspectives, by various authors

January 21, 2012

Perspectives: We're all from 'somewhere else'

By Albert Lewis, Local columnist ----

While visiting friends in Florida I went to the local health club to enjoy my water aerobics. Before the class began, people introduced themselves and it quickly became clear that almost everyone was from somewhere else.

In the midst of the workout I realized each of us is "from somewhere else" even if we are from the same family, religious or ethnic group. I remembered congregants who had commented on some of my sermons and said, "When you spoke about 'x,' I knew you were speaking to me."

I went back to re-read my original text and could not find any mention of "x," but had no desire to call anyone to say, "I never said that." What he or she heard and what I said reflected how each of us had come to the worship experience "from somewhere else," with different backgrounds, diverse needs, wants and perspectives.

In families with more than one child, especially if there are several years between them, it becomes clear siblings share a common biology, but a different psychological geography. My brother is 12 years younger than I, which means my parents had 12 years of different experiences and influences between my birth and his. The world of 1954 was unlike the world of 1942.

Much has been written about the uniqueness of the American experience, particularly that for much of our shared history almost everyone came from somewhere else. My childhood neighborhood was a melting pot of Poles, Lithuanians, Italians, Russians and Scots. I had difficulty understanding why the Lithuanian Catholics disliked the Polish Catholics, but learned years later there were similar attitudes between Jews of various communities; everyone coming from someplace else.

There is an important question confronting each of us as adults: Recognizing that everyone comes from someplace else (geographically, spiritually and emotionally), how may we journey to a shared and mutually envisioned future? How do the religious, educational and political systems enable or disable us? In interfaith dialogue I realize over and over again that while we come from someplace else we can choose to appreciate where and who we are now.

Einstein suggested, "In order to go somewhere else, we must think in a different way." I believe that "different way" is essential to our personal and national future. And I ask: Are we, as individuals and as a complex society open to understanding we all come from someplace else and, if we are willing to be open to growth and change, we may journey together to somewhere else?

Rabbi Dr. Albert M. Lewis is rabbi emeritus of Congregation Beth El in Traverse City. He is a public speaker and author of "Soul Sounds: Reflections on Life," available at www.soulsoundsbook.com. Contact him through the Record-Eagle, 120 W. Front St., Traverse City MI 49684.

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