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New year holds special meaning for new citizens
Marty Latz
Special to Jewish News
The kids playing quietly in the aisles were all shapes, sizes and colors. The faces packing the seats exhibited anticipation, excitement and a high degree of interest. They came here from all over the world - from Bangladesh to Jamaica, Bulgaria to Korea, Portugal to Mexico, from Pakistan to the United Kingdom to the old Soviet Union.
They ranged in age from relative newborns to those in their twilight years. This moment, however, represented the end of their journey, and the beginning of a new one. A new lifetime of opportunity. For they were all just sworn in as brand-new American citizens in a Sept. 18 naturalization ceremony sponsored by the American Jewish Committee at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix. It was a Citizenship Day Celebration, and it was worthy of its name.
As we spend time with our families between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, we should reflect upon where we came from, where we're going, and how we're going to get there.
Susan Goldwater aptly spoke at the ceremony about her late husband Barry Goldwater's Polish-Jewish grandfather, who left the old country because Jews were not treated well there. Many of us came from similar roots. We also should remember it wasn't so long ago that minorities weren't treated so well here, either. A friend recently bought a house in a central Phoenix neighborhood that continues to have a restrictive covenant prohibiting ethnic minorities from living there. While unenforceable now, its continuing presence gives us pause to remember from whence we came.
But we also come from individuals and a society willing and able to effect positive social change. As Russell Ahr, special assistant to the district director of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service stated at the ceremony, our system is based on the participation of those here and those who've chosen to come here. It's a republican form of government based on democratic principles. Ahr also rightly recognized the fundamental strength of our institutions, and the fact that those institutions represent our values and ideas. It's our participation, however, that makes those institutions work.
A new American named Anna expressed this same idea, saying "I truly believe the principles this country stands for - and I can't wait to vote!" Don't let us forget.
So where are we going? Anna also said, "This country has fulfilled dreams for dreamers." What is our collective dream today? I'm not really sure we have one. A collage of dreams, perhaps. A colorblind society with equal opportunity for all and tolerance among all races? Certainly. An economic engine creating enough opportunity for workers at all levels and enough collective funds to provide a safety net for those in dire straits? No doubt. And peaceful coexistence and healthy economic competition with other nations? Of course.
All admirable dreams - and all ultimately within our grasp if we latch onto the immigrant work ethic. Work hard, but fairly, and don't be arrogant toward others still climbing up the ladder of success.
As a new year starts, this ethic also asks us to strive to improve the health of our families and communities, and to give back to others. To help individuals, groups and organizations working to make this a better place to live. Don't put it off again until next year. Do it now.
In short, the message of the citizenship ceremony is the need to be a good and productive citizen. We need to be role models for those sworn in last week. Rolando Esteverena, who became a citizen not so long ago and who was held up as an immigrant success story, said the secret is "if you love this country, it will love you back." That's the right path for recent immigrants - and for those who've been here for years. As we start the year 5759, remember to give back.
Marty Latz is a Valley attorney and negotiation consultant. Anyone with comments can write to him via e-mail at mlatz@negot.com.
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