Koch and Moses

Mayor Koch and Moses Recently we read about Yitro, the father in law of Moses and his influence on him. As a leader, Moses looked to Yitro for advice and ideas on how to improve his leadership of the Israelites- Last month we lost a wonderful leader of New York City and a devoted member of our people- Ed Koch- former mayor of New York City, often asked his people, “ How’m I doin?” Just as Moses asked Yitro, Ed Koch asked all his people for advice, feedback and ideas for improvement. Ed Koch was deeply influenced by the last words of the slain journalist, Daniel Pearl, and requested them on his tombstone- “ my father is Jewish, my mother is Jewish, I am Jewish”. In parsha Yitro, we read the Ten Commandments and one of them is “kaved et avicha v’et imecha”- honor your father and mother- Ed Koch is indeed honoring his father and mother, and his people by having these words as a lasting remembrance for all who will visit his grave. His tombstone also includes the Sh’ma- Koch was fiercely proud of his Jewish faith- he loved his country, the United States of America- May his name always be a blessing and an inspiration. Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray Temple Shearith Israel