Stevan Augustin
I had the good fortune to grow up in the beautiful north shore area of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Michigan. I was born in St. Mary’s Hospital and was baptized as a Lutheran. I attended Bayside Elementary School and Nicolet High School. Both benefitted from religious diversity; close to half of the students were Jewish and the others were Christian. As a result, Jewish and Christian holidays were celebrated: Christmas and Hanakkuh, Easter and Passover, and Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. My schools were decorated for all these holidays and had time off to celebrate.
My neighborhood was one of religious diversity. I was taught to respect religious diversity and toleration at an early age.
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prevents Congress from making any law prohibiting the free exercise of religion. However, our country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles. Since its inception the U.S. has welcomed immigrants of all the world’s major religions: Buddist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Unitarian, among others. Religious diversity has strengthened America in terms of teaching tolerance, respect, spirituality and love of human kind. Most religions believe and pray to the one true God. They believe in the tenet, love thy neighbor as thyself. This love is a powerful tool in building bridges.
I was confirmed in the Lutheran Church. I attended religious instruction in the tenets, practices and creeds of my religion to prepare myself for communion and to become a responsible member of my church.
According to Jewish law, when boys become thirteen years old and girls become twelve to thirteen, they become responsible for their actions and become a Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah, respectively. These milestones are often celebrated with a ceremony in a synagogue, reading from the Torah, or Jewish Written Law, including the five books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. The word “torah” can also mean the entire Jewish Bible including the body of scripture known to Christians as the Old Testament of the Bible and to Jews as the Tanakh. They can also deliver a speech to demonstrate their newfound status. They are instructed in Jewish law and the Hebrew language.
These joyous occasions are celebrated with parties with festive meals and followed by music and dancing for family and friends. I attended many Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and had great fun doing so. I went to these parties in the sixties and many had live disc jockeys. There was dancing and prizes and lots of fun. You meet the whole family from the proud parents and grandparents to brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins. I was among friends but you are treated like family. Your definition of family becomes more expansive.
As Bob Dylan said, “When you see your neighbor, help them with their loads.” Respect their religion and try to learn and understand their religion and what it has in common with your own. Love thy neighbor as thyself.