For What it’s Worth: Warren Hecht

It has been reported that President Donald Trump and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie both got the coronavirus from the same event. They were both hospitalized for a short time and it appears the two will make a full recovery. Yet, they have had different reactions as a result of the experience.

Someone mentioned in shul that this Rosh Hashanah is one you’ll be able to tell your children or grandchildren about. It has been a unique experience sitting and davening with a mask on while social distancing. Some people had minyanim in tents or in community drives. I’d never heard so many shofars being blown in the afternoon for people who were unable to attend services due to health risks. However, the circumstances that caused it, namely COVID-19, is something I wish had never happened, and hopefully will never happen again. 

I have little doubt that those who write in the Jewish papers who are critics of Governor Cuomo will be out in force in their denunciations of the new regulations, claiming anti-Semitism. My question to them is: What would you have done if you were in the governor’s shoes?

Some people look back at this past week and say that Donald Trump is finished. Four years ago, many people thought that Trump was done after the “Access Hollywood” tape was shown.

This week, I decided to respond to the Trumpians who argue that since I am a Jew, I must support Trump because they claim he is good to the Jews, and in particular, Israel.

Years ago, when my family was up in the country for the summer, my favorite weekend was Labor Day weekend. Most people left for the city, and the weather started to get a little cooler. After we gave up the bungalow, I would take vacations in August with members of my family. There were also summer concerts. Thus, when Rosh Hashanah came, I was in a good mood. It was easy to celebrate Yom Tov.