conscienceofthecity

Author: conscienceofthecity
The Role of the Artist

Posted by conscienceofthecity on May 24, 2022May 24, 2022

“This is the time for us to listen to the artist as he tries to tell us who we are and what we can become.” On April 2, 1968, the film 2001 A Space Odyssey …

Sermons
Levi and Bertha

Posted by conscienceofthecity on May 9, 2022May 9, 2022

Rabbi Olan and his sister, Bertha, in the 1960s. Image and identifications courtesy of Joshua Hirsch.

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Human existence

“Human existence by its nature cries out for chesed, loving-kindness. We need to receive it and give it if life in this dangerous world is to survive.”

– Rabbi Levi A. Olan. From “A New Look at Good Will,” broadcast January 10, 1965.

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May 8, 2022May 7, 2022
Family of origin

Posted by conscienceofthecity on May 8, 2022May 7, 2022

The Olan family, early 20th century (l-r): Bessie (mother), Bertha (sister), Max (father), and Levi. Image and identifications courtesy of Joshua Hirsch.

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No man or group

“No man or group of men have the moral right to deny a man an equal chance with all other men. It is a violation of the spirit of our founding fathers and it is blasphemy against God.”

– Rabbi Levi A. Olan. From “Civil Rights and Civil Disobedience,” broadcast February 19, 1967.

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May 7, 2022May 5, 2022
1958: Give Olan a Solo!

Posted by conscienceofthecity on May 7, 2022May 3, 2022

Rabbi Olan embraced many causes. Clearly, this one did not succeed. Perhaps it is a good thing that the bema and the choir loft are so far apart in the Olan Sanctuary at Temple Emanu-El! …

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An ancient teacher

“An ancient teacher [Hillel] counselled: ‘If I am not for myself, who will be for me?’ He was not advocating selfishness as a way of life. If you cannot love yourself, you will never be able to love anyone else.”

– Rabbi Levi A. Olan. From “Some Things Are Not For Sale,” broadcast October 17, 1967.

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May 6, 2022May 5, 2022
Rabbi Olan in the 1950s (?)

Posted by conscienceofthecity on May 6, 2022May 3, 2022

If he is trying to look stern in this official portrait, Rabbi Olan does not succeed completely. Arms folded, he does not smile. Still, there is something pleasant and perhaps whimsical in his visage. Image …

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The business of living

“The business of living is to master our weaknesses and advance our virtues. It is hard to do it alone- there is a God ever present who will help.”

– Rabbi Levi A. Olan. From “You Can Do Better,” broadcast October 4, 1964.

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May 5, 2022May 5, 2022
Levi Olan as a young man

Posted by conscienceofthecity on May 5, 2022May 3, 2022

Rabbi Olan in his twenties (?)- quite a dashing figure! Image courtesy of Frances M. Olan and Lionel S. Joseph. Commentary by Tim Binkley.

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– Rabbi Levi A. Olan. From “A New Look at Good Will,” broadcast January 10, 1965.

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