“If ever there was a generation in history that felt hopeless, it is the present one. It will take a miracle to get us out of our doom-like mood.” April 14, 1968 Once again, Rabbi …
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The Role of the Artist
“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 …
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A Leader for These Times
March 31, 1968 In the midst of the 1968 presidential campaign, with the nation in crisis, Rabbi Olan asked in his sermon, “Whom shall we choose to lead us back to health?” He endorsed not …
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Levi and Bertha
Rabbi Levi Olan and his sister, Bertha, in the 1960s. Image and identifications courtesy of Joshua Hirsch. (20220509 #223)
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Religion and the Social Crisis
“The prophetic faith recognizes God’s presence on earth as well as in heaven…. He asks of [us] that [we] help Him build the good and beloved community.” Rabbi Olan’s sermon “Religion and the Social Crisis”, …
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Human existence
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Family of origin
The Olan family, early 20th century (l-r): Bessie (mother), Bertha (sister), Max (father), and Levi. Image and identifications courtesy of Joshua Hirsch. (20220508 #221)
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No man or group
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1958: Give Olan a Solo!
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.
(20220506 #218)
Rabbi Levi A. Olan: The Conscience of the City 