Missing Someone You've Never Met - Democratic Underground

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (2nd from right) in the Selma Civil Rights March with Martin Luther King, Jr.

After a recent work-in-progress screening of the documentary "Praying With My Legs" at the Washington Heights Film Club in New York City this past September, a member of the audience approached filmmaker Steve Brand. The feature-length documentary by Mr. Brand examines the life of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, "scholar, mystic, devout Jew, human rights activist and one of the most powerful and inspiring voices of the religious left in the 20th Century."

"I never knew him, and now I miss him," the stranger told Mr. Brand. I recognized the sentiment -- perfectly worded -- from the time I first saw an early cut of "Praying With My Legs" and was introduced to Rabbi Heschel's legacy.

I discovered what an amazing life he’d led: marching with Martin Luther King, Jr. at Selma, protesting the Vietnam War (at risk to his livelihood), making a difference at Vatican II, even meeting with the Pope to address age-old enmities and misperceptions. And the way he would speak truth to power!, whether to presidents, the Pope, McNamara, Kissinger, doctors, rabbis, evangelists; you name it. What an appealing, funny and charismatic character Heschel was — with his impossible white beard and long hair, which led people in Selma to talk about a rabbi who looked just like God.

Link to documentary site: "Praying With My Legs"
http://www.prayingwithmylegs.com /

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/11/2/799891/-Mis...

I never knew about Rabbi Heschel. I need to learn more.

We miss a lot of people we have never met.