Jonathan D. Sarna

Jonathan D. Sarna

Professor American Jewish History, Brandeis University

"On Faith" panelist Jonathan D. Sarna is the Joseph H. & Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History at Brandeis University and Director of its Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program. Sarna served two terms as chair of Brandeis' Department of Near Eastern & Judaic Studies. He now chairs the Academic Advisory and Editorial Board of the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives and is chief historian of the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia . Before returning to his alma mater to teach in 1990, Sarna was on the faculty of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati from 1979-1990. There, he was Professor of American Jewish history and Director of the Center for the Study of the American Jewish Experience. He has also taught at Yale University , where he earned his doctorate in 1979, at the University of Cincinnati , and at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem . The Forward newspaper named Sarna one of America 's 50 most influential American Jews. He has written, edited, or co-edited more than 20 books, including the acclaimed American Judaism: A History, which won the Jewish Book Council's “Jewish Book of the Year Award” in 2004. Close.

Jonathan D. Sarna

Professor American Jewish History, Brandeis University

"On Faith" panelist Jonathan D. Sarna is the Joseph H. & Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History at Brandeis University and Director of its Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program. Sarna served two terms as chair of Brandeis' Department of Near Eastern & Judaic Studies. more »

Main Page | Jonathan D. Sarna Archives | On Faith Archives


Content With My Own Portion

I feel particularly content – indeed blessed and thrilled -- with my own portion, for this summer marks eight years since I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

» Back to full entry

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steve:

mazel tov on surving 8 years with ec I am a 12year survivor of ecstage3 and at times believe it changed my life for the better

Norrie Hoyt:

Viejitta,

I was about to mention "Appointment in Samarrah" when you beat me to it.

Isn't it interesting that Samarrah (it's in Iraq) is now frequently in the news with its own new death tolls.

In the same vein, I recommend renting and seeing, or seeing again, Ingmar Bergman's THE SEVENTH SEAL. The knight couldn't defeat death either.

Russell D.:

Andrew:

Does your wife like Cocoa Krispies? I gots plenty to go around. I know they cheer me up. :)

Best of luck to you and your wife.

Andrea:

Andrew,

Sending many good thoughts your way.

Andrew:

Russell D and Andrea: Thanks for your kind remarks. Unfortunately, it is what it is. I was just trying to address the question du jour. We have finally figured out how we can live without her large income, so I hope her remaining time will be more satisfying than it is now.

Andrea:

Russell,

I did! You and your Cocoa Krispies...that you keep in your refrigerator. Oh, good times.

Russell D.:

Andrea:

Did you see Jihadist's comment about us on another thread? Thinks we should get a room.

Hmmmmmmm........bring Cocoa Krispies.

Andrea:

Andrew,

I am truly sorry to hear about your wife. I hope the years she has left are filled with happiness.

Russell,

Thanks for correcting me, sunshine.

My fiance's grandmother passed away last week from a battle with cancer. She had been living with it for years, and amazingly, when it got really bad, she held on long enough for everyone to say goodbye.

I agree with your last paragraph. I too have many regrets, but wouldn't change anything if given the opportunity. My mistakes just serve as a lesson and advice for others, and that helps me overcome any regret that I have. I can help out family members, friends, or anyone else by letting them know they're not alone.

It also helps to have a good sense of humor about things.

Russell D.:

Sorry to hear that Andrew.

Andrea:

It was the other way around. My sister is more of a sister by marriage, but I have known her since she was a kid. Not to be mean or anything to my "sister", but if she was single, Luke probably would have a shot at her though.

I have never been diagnosed with cancer or anyhing serious, yet I have great respect for people that are diagnosed and continue to fight. My Grandmother died of cancer, so did one of my Grandfathers. an ex girlfriend of mine survived cancer, and I respect her for it.

I just hope that if I have something serious one day, I will continue to live with the strength that I try to show now. Mind you, I won't be praying to God, but I will be hoping that I come through. I have had close calls with car accidents, and such, and I try to make sure that I live my life with no regrets, although I have many. But would I take back what I have done? No. If those things hadn't happened, I wouldn't be where I am or who I am today. Life is full of regrets, but it should be about how you move on from those struggles that makes you the person you are. Are you going to be afraid the rest of your life? Or are you going to show strenght and courage? The choice is up to you.

Andrew:

I've had a great life, no question. BUT, my wife of 35 years has Stage 4 ovarian cancer. She will not survive 8 years. So, am I satisfied. Not at all.

Andrew:

I've had a great life, no question, but my wife of 35 years has Stage 4 ovarian cancer. She will not survive 8 years, probably less than 3. So, am I satisfied? Not at all.

Peacetroll:

Hey kook Noodle.

This Rabbi Ben Zoma doesn't believe in Jesus Christ.

Perhaps if he's your friend and you proclaim to be a Christian (of course Mr. Sarna, we know you are in the error of Baalam, profiting from the world and scripture of God wether directly or indirectly), you should speak to him about the Saviour.

It's nice to hear he is healed of his ailment. But the spiritual is forever, this body will never last.

Viejita del oeste:

It isn't denying death to be grateful for more time to accomplish goals like finishing a book, watching children mature, spending time with friends, etc. We all have an appointed time no matter what our religious beliefs.
To quote Wednesday's URJ 10 minutes of Torah: 'This...is reminiscent of the famous story told by John O’hara in his book "Appointment in Samarra." In the story, a man believes that the Angel of Death is after him so he flees to Samarra. A friend of the man sees the Angel of Death and asks him where he is going. “To Samara,” he replies. “I have an appointment there.”
The lesson of this story, of course, is that we cannot cheat death. [The] tale of Rabbi Simeon [and the angel of death] teaches us that we cannot take life for granted, but we can try to make an order out of the chaos. We can perform mitzvoth. We can study. We can celebrate in the traditional ways. But we should never assume that such acts guarantee us long lives. For in life, all is given, but nothing is guaranteed.'

another cancer survivor:

bgone:

"I'm being tested for cancer myself this very moment"

You don't know. And nothing can make you feel like Death is breathing down the back of your neck like -not knowing.

Remember -a cancer diagnosis means you've entered into a battle, its not a necessarily a death sentence. You might still have that heart attack, -me too.

If your tests come back -no cancer. Remember to see your Drs regularly and continue with diagnostic tests. The earlier the diagnosis -the better the outcome.

Let us know when you get your results -if you feel like it. I'm sure everyone reading here will keep you in their thoughts.

Best wishes.

Andrea:

Risto,

That part of my post was meant purely for Russell D. It was a conversation a few weeks ago.

"And perhaps we should think about whether there is something worse than death.
War, guilt, contemplating death while in pain...what else. Children in pain, animals in pain and no way to assauge it."

I agree with you there. There are fates worse than death, and remembering those can give you a better perspective on death, and make it less frightening for some.

Gaby:

BGONE:

I echo Andrea's sentiments in regards to your test results. Sending many good thoughts your way!

risto:

What?
Wierd and ugly post. Tho perhaps death thros and thinking about them does that to you.
And perhaps we should think about whether there is something worse than death.
War, guilt, contemplating death while in pain...what else. Children in pain, animals in pain and no way to assauge it.
Maybe if we turn this post into something positive or even philosophical, instead of about feeling up sisters.

Andrea:

BGONE,

I hope the results of your test are negative. I get you on the heart attack thing. I'm sending good thoughts your way.

speed123:

I wonder if Sarna is content with being a Neo Con / Zionist and the million Iraqi dead.

What to see what a REAL cancer looks like....head to Iraq and look at the cancer of neo conservative ideas of Strauss/Lewis in action........

BGone:

Andrea, I like your analogy. There's the quick and then there's the dead.

Another cancer survivor, I'm being tested for cancer myself this very moment. Chances are... I can't bother worrying about it even though I'm hoping for a heart attack instead.

Threats of death have been used to terrorize people for a very long time. Those of us who laugh at death aren't very terrorizable. Believing that there is simply more of the same kind of life after this one is counter terror, "kill me and yourself at the same time and I'll be seeing you on the far side of the nebol bridge, a lot smarter than when you snuck up on me."

Religions, "faiths" take the terror of death beyond this world, as if it's not bad enough. The boogie demon will get you if you don't "render to God" their God of course.

Andrea:

Russell,

Back at ya.

Luke's probably in the locker room feeling up your sister...or was that the other way around with you two?

Russell D.:

Andrea:

If we were both single, I'd so go for you.

Lovin it! Dodgeball team is back up and running. Where the heck is Luke?

Andrea:

Russell,

I like to think of life as a game of....dodgeball.

You're going to get hit with a ball. But, how many will you dodge before that happens?

Russell D.:

BGONE;

While death is inevitable, and a part of life, some people ar enot ready to deal with it. Most people are not ready to deal with it. It seems we like to shut out the thought that we are going to die someday.

Being thankful to survive one form of death is a great deal of encouragement to people. But yes, we are all going to die. Immortality in the physical sense is not going to happen. It never has and never will. All we can do is be thankful that we live as long as we can and enjoy what we have. Maybe we can make such an impact as to be remembered for generations to come. That is the only way to immortality.

another cancer survivor:

bgone:

"Surviving cancer is no more spectacular than surviving an accident."

Its clear -you have no idea what you are talking about. But I am sorry the fear of DEATH plagues you.

dahozho:

Dr. Sarna-- Mazel tov!

I especially enjoyed your article's connection to the Pirkei Avot, which we are finishing this week in preparation for Shavuos.

Indeed, how much better could we ALL live, in being content with our portions. Mine is not big, is sometimes beyond tight, but is always enough.

Cancer is a rough road. My paternal aunt, may her memory be for a blessing, died almost exactly a year ago, only a week following her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. She went so gracefully from her plan to fight the cancer to acceptance of the Creator's will, in just a day or two.... I can only hope for as peaceful and gracious an end.

Truly, in everything, we can give thanks. Thank you for sharing your story!

Gaby:

BGONE,

That was totally uncalled for. Shame on your fatalistic outview in life.

BGone:

Death is a reality we all must deal with. Surviving cancer is no more spectacular than surviving an accident. Death tugs at our elbows every minute of every day.

I'm not and wasn't trivializing. Attitude has everything to do with the ability to deal with anything including the most devistating of all, death. Is there a fate worse than death?

Making a big deal out of that which is natural and normal is a cancer on society.

Russell D.:

BGONE:

That was a low blow, even for you.
Some things just shouldn't be trivialized. Cancer being one of them.

Congrats to the Survivor.

another cancer survivor:

bgone:

"Sorry cancer survivor but this is planet earth"

As I said: I am a "cancer survivor" not a death survivor.

Feeling a few fries short of a Happy Meal today? : )

BGone:

Sorry cancer survivor but this is planet earth and there shall be no survivors. All survival is temporary. At least you're now on a first name basis with the grim reaper so when he comes calling next time, and there will be a next time, not if but when.

Death is a natural, normal part of being alive. We are all in the process of dying all the time. No big hurry about getting done, kinda like government work.

another cancer survivor:

Congratulations, fellow Cancer Survivor.

It's a battle. It took me 5 years to be declared cancer free. Lots of time to study, pray and reflect. I too take exquisite pleasure in the mundane things of daily life and maintain a constant list of accomplishments: both attained and desired. Life is a great gift even when its bad.

Best wishes.

Soja John Thaikattil, Sydney, Australia:

Dear Professor Sarna

I'm deeply moved to hear of your illness and how wonderful it is to know that you are still here eight years after diagnosis, having given your best all along. May God grant you many many years of life to fulfil other goals you have set for yourself!

Your life is an encouragement and inspiration!

Soja John Thaikattil
Sydney, Australia

CWS:

Thank you for the post Mr. Sarna.

Food for thought.

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