Barney Frank
Speaks at Temple Israel
Justice
By Ann Abrams, Librarian
“
At Temple Israel, we pursue justice, in partnership with others, to realize our vision of what the world ought to be. In many ways, Barney Frank’s story, told in his new memoir Frank: A Life in Politics from the Great Society to Same-Sex Marriage, embodies this core value.
”
Former Congressman Barney Frank was the speaker at the 21st Annual Joy Ungerleider* Jewish Book Month Program, an endowed lecture series under the supervision of the Temple Israel Library Committee, on Friday evening, October 16. He focused his talk on military spending, and also touched on a number of subjects relating to his many years in Congress.
Following the program, there was a question-andanswer period in Levi Auditorium, led by Library Committee Chair, Barbara Cevallos; and Mr. Frank signed copies of his book for the enthusiastic crowd. He also told us about a new documentary, Compared to What: The Improbable Journey of Barney Frank, broadcast on Showtime networks October 23.
At Temple Israel, we pursue justice, in partnership with others, to realize our vision of what the world ought to be. In many ways, Barney Frank’s story, told in his new memoir Frank: A Life in Politics from the Great Society to Same-Sex Marriage, embodies this core value.
Preceding Qabbalat Shabbat and Mr. Frank’s presentation, a reception was held in the library to honor Rabbi Friedman’s many years of advocating/ educating on behalf of LGBT Jews and our families. The library committee and I thought it fitting to combined the celebrations of two champions of LGBT rights – Barney Frank and Rabbi Friedman.
As described in The New York Times, “One of the chief distinctions and rewards of Frank is the way the author’s odyssey to honesty perfectly tracks America’s journey to a more open-eyed, healthier, better place. Both he and the country travel through the wake-up call of the AIDS crisis; the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy for gays in the military; the Defense of Marriage Act; and the rapid rise of same-sex marriage. Frank was there for all of it, not just an observer but in many instances a key actor and in all cases someone with a special interest and stake in what was going on. Few politicians have a vantage point and story quite like his.”
*For more information about Joy Ungerleider, see Ellen Fishman’s biography, The Book of Joy, available in the Temple Israel Library.
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INSIGHT Vol. 15, No. 3, Winter 2015-16/5776
