For What it’s Worth: Warren Hecht

In preparation for the High Holy Days, Sephardim began saying Selichos at the start of Elul, and Ashkenazim began on Saturday night, September 13. The Queens Jewish Link published its September 18 edition with the front page wishing “Shanah Tovah.” Throughout the paper were greetings from elected officials—Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and not—as well as from private entities, some just a few words and others more detailed.

If you had looked at the QJL for the past two weeks, you would have had no idea that I was on vacation since I had written two columns in advance. Now that I have returned, it feels, as the phrase goes, “Same story, different day.” For one week, I will not address the madness in our country. Instead, I will share about the trip I took with my wife, Beth, to Israel. This was the first time since the year we were married that we have gone to Israel together. The impetus for the trip was that my first cousin’s son was getting married.

Last week was the 24th anniversary of the terrorist attack on the United States on September 11, 2001. Every year on 9/11, the names of those who died that day are read. What tends to get lost with the passage of time is how the events of that day affected the psyche of the country. It put to rest the idea of “fortress America.” Another aspect that is often overlooked is the response of then-President George W. Bush. In light of the assassination of Charlie Kirk on September 10, Bush’s response merits examination.

We live in a world full of hypocrisy. It exists at a national level, a political party level, a state level, a city level, a community level, and even on an individual level. For example, every time a frum Jew sins or neglects to do a mitzvah that he is required and able to do, that is an act of hypocrisy.

Trump says that he has goals which most Americans agree with, such as reducing crime, curbing illegal immigration, and addressing drug use. However, there are those who doubt that Trump truly cares about these issues and believe he is using them as an excuse to increase his power. Assuming that Trump genuinely wants to tackle these problems, the issue is that he seems to believe the end justifies the means.

There have been many pillars of society who, before Trump became president, acted as if they were tough and fair, only to fold under pressure. This includes major law firms and media outlets such as ABC, which settled with Trump, and The Washington Post, whose owner Jeff Bezos exerted control even over outside editorials. But perhaps the worst example is CBS.