Last Friday, some of you received an invitation to participate in a brief survey about potential initiatives for the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and Oregon Jewish Community Foundation. This is a friendly reminder that the survey will close this Monday evening. Be assured that this is not a request for funds, but an opportunity to provide your input and guidance. Please remember that questions are optional and you are welcome to skip any that you prefer not to answer. Your perspective, in any amount of detail, is valuable and I encourage you to still fill out the survey.

Two quick tidbits from my column last week about Women's History Month:

The sister of someone in Portland is the executive producer of the new show, The Faithful: Women of the Bible, a biblical drama series premiering this Sunday on FOX. It is a three-week, multi-episode event which dramatizes the Book of Genesis, focusing on the stories of Sarah, Hagar, Rebeccah, Leah, and Rachel.
 
The producer received and shared my Marc’s Remarks with a person in FOX’s communications and publicity department. Surprisingly, they contacted me, “When we saw your topic of reflection, we knew we wanted to reach out and send you some information on the series, which focuses on the matriarchs of the Bible.” They actually sent me the “screener” of the first episode focused on Sarah and Hagar. I was so flattered and little did they know how much I love TV. Minnie Driver stars as Sarah and after watching the screener it made me realize I need to go back for more Torah study.

I also want to mention that 104 years ago yesterday, on March 19, 1922, Judith Kaplan, the eldest daughter of Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, became the first girl to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah in the United States. Think of the seismic shift that was.

Rabbi Kaplan, a leader in the Conservative movement and later one of the founders of Reconstructionist Judaism, famously said, “There are four reasons why I wanted to have bat mitzvahs -- my four daughters.” 

I actually had the opportunity to meet Judith, and her husband, Rabbi Ira Eisenstein, in the summer of 1985 at a BBYO leadership training program and remember her sharing her story.

Some science history -- it amazes me how little coverage there was 10 days ago on the 150th anniversary of Alexander Graham Bell making the first successful telephone call to his assistant Thomas Watson, stating, “Mr. Watson, come here. I want to see you.” If Bell could only see what his invention has become today.

Also, on this date in 1916, Albert Einstein's "Theory of General Relativity" was published. He discussed the "slow rotation of the elliptical path of the planet Mercury and suggested that what we experience as the force of gravity arises from the curvature or bending of space and time." The theory explains the motions of the planet, the history and expansion of the universe, the physics of black holes, and the bending of light from distant stars and galaxies. But you already knew all of that.

Today, would have been Fred “Mister Rogers” Rogers 98th birthday. While Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian minister, his important life lessons on his TV show were compatible with many religious and moral teachings, including Jewish values.

Here are several Jewish lessons from Mister Rogers' neighborhood for children, adults, and communities alike.

Kindness and Compassion -- At the core of Mister Rogers’ philosophy was the principle of kindness. He advocated for treating others with compassion and respect, consistently emphasizing the importance of being a good neighbor. This aligns closely with the Jewish concept of chesed (loving-kindness). Rogers nurtured a sense of empathy, encouraging people to act with compassion toward others.

Emotional Intelligence -- Mister Rogers placed great importance on emotional intelligence -- teaching children to identify, express, and validate their feelings. He believed that recognizing and understanding emotions is crucial for personal development and building healthy relationships.

You may recall that Mr. Rogers was "called out of retirement" several weeks after his final show aired in 2001 to help the children and adults cope with the events of September 11. He said, "No matter what our particular job, especially in our world today, we all are called to be tikkun olam, repairers of creation." Yes, he used that Jewish expression. At a time when our country felt shattered and in shock, Mister Rogers' message was a welcome one. He reminded all of us to be mindful of the emotions and struggles of others.

Acceptance of Differences -- In his show, Mister Rogers celebrated diversity and the unique qualities of each individual. In fact, he championed diversity and inclusion long before the phrase DEI. Look at the people in his "neighborhood." He taught children that it is okay to be different. This philosophy echoes the Jewish value of "ahavat ger," which calls for love and empathy toward “strangers.” Jewish tradition encourages individuals to welcome others regardless of background, culture, abilities, or beliefs.

Building Relationships -- Mister Rogers emphasized the significance of genuine relationships -- teaching children how to foster meaningful connections with family, friends, and community members. In Judaism, community is often viewed as a source of support, strength, and love. The Shehechiyanu prayer acknowledges the special moments in life and the connections that cause us to appreciate those around us.

Self-Worth and Dignity -- One of the most profound messages Mister Rogers conveyed was that everyone is special just as they are. He said, "It's our insides that make us who we are, that allow us to dream and wonder and feel for others. That is what will always make the biggest difference in the world." He reinforced that each child has inherent value and dignity, which speaks directly to the Jewish belief that all people are created in the image of God, b’tzelem elohim. Rabbi Sharon Brous shared a similar message this past Sunday when she spoke for the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education.

Education and Growth -- Mister Rogers was an advocate for lifelong learning and personal growth. Rogers encouraged curiosity and exploration, nurturing a love for learning in children. Our Jewish tradition also places a high value on education, emphasizing that learning is a continuous journey.

Mister Rogers showcased the universal importance of: love, acceptance, empathy, listening, learning and community. These traits are certainly needed in our country and around the world at this time.

Finally, as we continue our preparations for Passover, I encourage you to see this listing of Passover happenings and resources in our Jewish community.

Shabbat shalom and happy spring! I hope all the school children and teachers have a safe and fun spring break. Plus, look for a very special announcement about August 30, 2026 in next Wednesday’s issue of the Jewish Review.