Colin Powell and His Yiddish Heart

What do we do as we witness the greatest generation before us disappearing, like stars fading to black in the night sky? America seems to be hued in a dimming lamplight of a darkened city as our luminaries fade to black, one light at a time.

Colin Powell (z”l) was a trailblazer; the first in so many, as Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity (DEI) was irrelevant in his lifetime – he was a man of color who had to work harder than others in order to get ahead. As the eulogies and features of his life played endlessly this week, there is one story that rises above all others in its simple wisdom, like a chassidic proverb.

Growing up in the South Bronx, Powell worked for a Jewish family in a toy store during his breaks from school. His lexicon of Yiddishisms grew there, phrases he was known to use with his colleagues, both for valor and for derision, as the best of Yiddish phrases capture both. Eight years ago, Powell shared this moment with his alma mater on CUNY Television:

“I was working at a toy store for a Jewish family and a man named Jay Sickser. One day, he pulled me aside and said, “Coli – you are a good worker, I love having you in the store, you are a part of the family; but you can’t ever stay here. You have to get your education, you have a good family, you are smart, make sure you get your education and move on.”

Powell could have left the adage alone and the lesson would have been learned. But a part of what distinguished this general from others was his ability to articulate his humility and humanity. Powell continued in the CUNY interview, and added an important wisdom, with his unique presence as a stalwart military man who possessed an emotional vulnerability:

“I was so touched that he thought enough of me to tell me that I had the potential to do other things in life and don’t think that I should stay there. And I’ll never forget that; that a guy cared enough about me to say “Go, don’t stay, move on.”

“I was so touched that he thought enough of me to tell me that I had the potential to do other things in life and don’t think that I should stay there.” — Colin Powell

This past week, our Torah cycle spotlighted the moment that God instructs Avram, “Lech Lecha!,” or “Go, don’t stay, move on.” Avram, like Powell, had the confidence to heed the call. However, we never learn how God’s call impacted Avram. Avram was called, and he went. This is where Powell rises above the ordinary. This is where the wisdom lies: in recognizing not only how important it is to encourage others, but how necessary it is for us for these words to penetrate and form a voice that we can call upon for our lifetime.

In the interview, Powell introduces the story by admitting that he already knew that he would move on from working in a toy store for the rest of his life. And yet, instead of meeting his boss’s remarks with an eye roll or derision, the words penetrated Powell’s soul and bound him to a lifelong friendship with his boss and his boss’s children. The blessing was given by Jay Sickser, and more importantly, it was received, cherished and shared by Powell.

Powell’s 2014 autobiography “It Worked for Me: in Life and Leadership” is filled with such reflections and aphorisms. One of his most salient expressed the common menschlichkeit he acquired while working in that toy store:

“Don’t just show kindness in passing or to be courteous. Show it in depth, show it with passion, and expect nothing in return. Kindness is not just about being nice; it’s about recognizing another human being who deserves care and respect.”

May the General’s Memory forever be our blessing and May Kindness continue to be shared in his Honor for the Good.

Rabbi Lori Shapiro is the founder and artistic director of The Open Temple in Venice.