Emily Blum Metzger, of blessed memory, was one of the most outstanding and accomplished members of the Lincoln Square Synagogue Beginners Service. It was at her shiva, over two years ago, that I renewed my acquaintance with her wonderful father, Herbert Blum.
I first met Herbert Blum more than 35 years ago, soon after the founding of the National Jewish Outreach Program (now known as NJOP), when Herbert offered his financial advice to our young organization. Although he spoke with a slight European accent, Herbert was well attuned to the financial markets of America and provided NJOP with sage financial advice that helped our organization achieve what it has. This was instrumental in placing NJOP on secure financial footing.
At the shiva for his beloved daughter, Herbert told me the following story.
When he was a 12-year-old boy in Nuremberg, Germany, Herbert and his father went to the American consulate in Stuttgart in order to secure a possible visa, which would grant him permission to leave the country. Apparently, for a very brief period of time, there was a special program that allowed children under the age of 14 to secure a visa to the U.S., where they would live with an American family to escape the increasingly-dangerous environment of Nazi Germany. Many of the workers at the American consulate were not fond of Jews and actively tried to make it difficult for Herbert’s father to meet the Consul. Although the Blum family had filed early on for exit visas for the entire family, the Blums suspected that their visa had been sold to others who bribed the Consul workers.
When they finally met with the Consul, the official asked them quite a few questions and informed Herbert’s father that in order to obtain the visa for his child, Mr. Blum would have to sign a paper and take an oath that Herbert, his minor child, had renounced his German citizenship. Mr. Blum’s father was elated, but was faced with a significant dilemma. He sheepishly asked the American official for permission to leave the room so he could retrieve his hat, explaining that as a religious person he could not take an oath without his head covered. When he returned, the Consul said, “I can see that you are a man of faith, and I most respect that. Because you are a man of integrity and faith, I am going to authorize a visa, not only for your son, but for you and for your entire family.” A few months later, in November 1939, the Blum family departed to the United States.
I have thought about this story many times since I first heard it. But a few weeks ago on Shabbat, I was in a synagogue where the congregation sang the beautiful concluding hymn, Anim Zemirot, attributed to either Rabbi Judah HaChasid (died 1217) or his father, Rabbi Samuel. This hymn is considered to be so sacred, that the ark is opened and the congregation stands. Many congregations omit this hymn because they are afraid that, since it is recited at the very end of the service, people will not show it the proper respect, because they are usually rushing out to kiddush or to go home. The hymn is a Hebrew alphabetic acrostic and most of the verses begin with another letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It is usually sung responsively with the leader or cantor reciting one line and the congregation repeating the other. It talks about G-d, “Who, on His head, wears the helmet (hat) of triumph and salvation, while His right Hand and His holy arm lead the people to victory.”
As I absorbed the meaning of the verse, I was profoundly struck by the confluence of the verse and the story of Mr. Blum’s hat. With the rise of antisemitism today, there is much debate concerning whether to be conspicuously Jewish or to hide any outward Jewish signs and symbols, so that we not, G-d forbid, become victims of antisemitic attacks.
Mr. Blum’s father had no idea how the American official would react to his brazen request. But he felt strongly that he could not take an oath without his head covered. This small act of courage resulted in great liberation. This, of course, is an important message that we should all remember when defending our religion, the State of Israel and our right to be public about our Jewishness.
May the small acts of Jewish pride that we perform cause the right hand of G-d, and His holy arm, to lead the Jewish people to salvation, victory and peace.
And, may the memory of Emily Blum Metzger be a blessing to all.
