When I was 16 years old, I was dating this wonderful Jewish girl who one evening, asked me if we were ever going to travel internationally. I knew I wanted to marry her but she wasn’t yet convinced. I therefore responded with “stick with me and we will.” With 55 years into our marriage, I am proud to say I kept my promise and we have traveled to 120 countries.
However, there was another goal I pledged to myself and to my Jewish brothers and sisters around the world, that wherever I go, I will seek out Jewish history and influence.
Recently, we visited The Ben Ezra Synagogue in Cairo. As we have in so many countries that we visited, we made it a point to see active synagogues or ones of major historical significance. As I stood in total awe, I could hear the voices of my ancestors gathered together on a Shabbos morning davening with such a deep conviction in buildings without electrical lights or air conditioning and the most uncomfortable pews. Some had sand on the floors and so many other indications of their aging and yet, the singing of the Shema still resonated and echoed through the buildings.
I recall vividly walking in the streets of Istanbul on a Saturday morning, As we passed the synagogue, I turned to my wife and said “let’s go in and daven.” After our clearance by the armed security guards, we were welcomed and I was immediately given an Aliyah and was able to follow the prayers as they were in Hebrew. It was a great feeling.
I was in Berlin once before Pesach and went to shul. I was immediately invited to someone’s house for seder.
We visited a synagogue in Copenhagen and learned that when an office building was in the planning stages, the government insisted that it could not block the view of the synagogue from the main street.
In Cape Town, we toured a synagogue and in the afternoon, throngs of young children exited their parents’ automobiles and excitedly prepared themselves for an afternoon of Talmud Torah.
Sadness overcame me when I visited several synagogues around the world where worshippers were killed during services and the bullet holes were still visible.
This year, we found ourselves in downtown Seoul and we could hear the drums beating and the voices protesting and we looked at each other and wondered if we should shy away or approach and see what was going on. As we moved towards the noise, we were delighted to witness a pro-Israel demonstration lead by South Koreans.
In downtown Bergen in Norway, there was a sign in the main center that proclaimed “free the hostages” that remained untouched by any graffiti or attempts to debase it.
Throughout European countries, there were signs and pictures of hostages killed and those still remaining with the demand for their release.
Sometimes, we find Jewish people in places you would not expect like Manaus in Brazil, located on the Amazon River. We visited the local Chabad Rabbi and learned of the 300 Jews that live there. I asked if there was any antisemitism and the reply that I received was a shocking “no.”
The rabbi explained that when he’s out in the streets in his black coat, hat, strings attached from his pants, everyone thinks he’s a terrorist. When he calms them down and explains that he is Jewish and describes what Judaism is all about, they only have one request — to join a conversion class.
When I have been on escorted tours, I have witnessed the tour guides make a point to indicate that their particular cities would not be as successful as they are if it was not for the influence of the Jewish people. This includes, but is not limited to, Quito, Ecuador; Belfast, Ireland; Shanghai, China and so many others.
But my favorite memory of our travels taught me a lesson for life. We were in the rooftop pool in a hotel in Rio de Janeiro. I noticed several guests speaking Hebrew and I went over to them and joined the conversation as I know the language fluently. One of them said, “welcome to the mishpach (family)!” I asked, “are we relatives?” To which he quickly replied, “every Jew is a relative in the entire world.”
I got to visit my family.
Andy Greenberg is a former marketing executive, TV producer, and national radio personality. He has been a Jewish educator and lecturer for students and adults for 25 years. He is also an experienced service leader for senior homes and synagogues for Shabbat and Jewish holidays.
