Big David
At first, there is a bud. Then slowly develops a flower displaying its stunning colors and sweet fragrance. So too were David’s teen years starting out just as a bud waiting to bloom. Moreover, his eighth grade classmates played a part in guiding him towards the flowering.
Throughout all of David's schooling, the same classmates moved to the same grade as David, grade after grade, year after year. With each new class, two or three students were exchanged into another class. These new faces had a fresh start before they were label by their new classmates. Every year David prayed to be one of these new faces and enter a class with different mates. Near the end of summer vacation, he would ask God to help him get out of the pigeonhole that his classmates put him in.
Throughout all of David's schooling, the same classmates moved to the same grade as David, grade after grade, year after year. With each new class, two or three students were exchanged into another class. These new faces had a fresh start before they were label by their new classmates. Every year David prayed to be one of these new faces and enter a class with different mates. Near the end of summer vacation, he would ask God to help him get out of the pigeonhole that his classmates put him in.
One of the new faces besides David was Danae Tinch. Danae was from David’s old classes. She was from the bullies’ group. Danae had a short stout built with a lot of weight on her body in which she used to punch the boys. She had a small round head with a crumple face, and very black complexion with light brown eyes. She usually had her afro comb sticking out somewhere out of her crop afro. David worried about Danae being one of the fresh faces. He knew once a bully, always a bully. However, he was more worried that his old class’ mark would be gossip by Danae. If David was a bud of a flower entering eighth grade, Danae was a bulb well beneath the ground. Either way, both of them were just about to get irrigated.
David was uncertain about Danae since she had said nothing about David’s past label. During the first weeks of school, she was her usual loud bully self, but with no punching, slapping, or throwing things at people like past grades. Maybe it was her hanging around the only other black girl in the class, Tina Jones. Or was it that she had her eye on one of the black boys in the class? In essence, far in the soil, a spout pops out of the bulb.
Slowly Danae’s old self came back into sight with her punching, slapping, and throwing things at students. Danae and Tina were like a two headed monster, one good and the other bad. Danae’s bully qualities were still within her. It seemed that she yelled at people when the mood struck her. Some days were good, but most were worse. Tina would smile and greet her classmates, but she also would laugh at Danae’s bullying some poor kid. Many times while Tina’s laughter filled the area, Danae would be near and threaten to punch some poor sap in the arm. Students kept their distance from this two headed monster.
There were times one could not avoid Danae’s harassment. She would call out to one of the geeky kids, Steven Shultz, who looked the part by his military crew cut, soda bottle glasses, buck teeth, and plaid shirt with a different print of plaid pants. His clothes were either too large or too small on his bony body. In his lanky arms was always a black soft bound Bible. “Have you been saved?” he would ask his classmates in his nasal voice.
“Hey four-eyes.” Danae would start her banter, “How’s the buck-tooth priest?” And up went Danae’s fist ready to knock Steven, and with it came Tina’s laughter.
“I’m, I’m, n-not a priest,” Steven would stammer his words. Tina’s laugh grew louder which Danae would start laughing hysterically to the point of forgetting all about Steven. In fact, during the whole school year, Danae only punched Steven in the arm once. It could have been with all of Steven’s Jesus talk that she just might have been afraid of God’s reprimand. Maybe Steven had God’s ear. He did always carry his Bible everywhere he went.
As confusing Danae’s turn of events, David was just as confuse trying to figure who was what and where with his new classmates. Who are the cool kids? Who is in the brainy group? Where are the jocks? And to add more uncertainty, David’s concentration was thrown out of wrack by his new teacher. She had a unique teaching style of her own.
David was uncertain about Danae since she had said nothing about David’s past label. During the first weeks of school, she was her usual loud bully self, but with no punching, slapping, or throwing things at people like past grades. Maybe it was her hanging around the only other black girl in the class, Tina Jones. Or was it that she had her eye on one of the black boys in the class? In essence, far in the soil, a spout pops out of the bulb.
Slowly Danae’s old self came back into sight with her punching, slapping, and throwing things at students. Danae and Tina were like a two headed monster, one good and the other bad. Danae’s bully qualities were still within her. It seemed that she yelled at people when the mood struck her. Some days were good, but most were worse. Tina would smile and greet her classmates, but she also would laugh at Danae’s bullying some poor kid. Many times while Tina’s laughter filled the area, Danae would be near and threaten to punch some poor sap in the arm. Students kept their distance from this two headed monster.
There were times one could not avoid Danae’s harassment. She would call out to one of the geeky kids, Steven Shultz, who looked the part by his military crew cut, soda bottle glasses, buck teeth, and plaid shirt with a different print of plaid pants. His clothes were either too large or too small on his bony body. In his lanky arms was always a black soft bound Bible. “Have you been saved?” he would ask his classmates in his nasal voice.
“Hey four-eyes.” Danae would start her banter, “How’s the buck-tooth priest?” And up went Danae’s fist ready to knock Steven, and with it came Tina’s laughter.
“I’m, I’m, n-not a priest,” Steven would stammer his words. Tina’s laugh grew louder which Danae would start laughing hysterically to the point of forgetting all about Steven. In fact, during the whole school year, Danae only punched Steven in the arm once. It could have been with all of Steven’s Jesus talk that she just might have been afraid of God’s reprimand. Maybe Steven had God’s ear. He did always carry his Bible everywhere he went.
As confusing Danae’s turn of events, David was just as confuse trying to figure who was what and where with his new classmates. Who are the cool kids? Who is in the brainy group? Where are the jocks? And to add more uncertainty, David’s concentration was thrown out of wrack by his new teacher. She had a unique teaching style of her own.
Mrs. Morton was the Team Leader Teacher for all of the ten classes of eighth grade. Not only did she have a class full of students depending on her cultivating them, she also had the responsibility of being the team leader, such as the person that deals with conflicts with parents, students, or teachers; grant moneies; budget; scheduling; improves what happens in classrooms; go-between teachers and principals. Unbeknown to David and his classmates, Mrs. Morton was the first black academic teacher in Evanston.
Mrs. Morton stood like most of David’s female teachers wearing matching skirt and blazer with black or brown low-heel shoes. Her large black frame glasses worked well with her black light tone, and her shiny black hair flowing down in waves to her neckline. Out of her big toothpaste smile came a slight southern draw when she spoke. “My angels,” she called her students. And all inside this woman was an energizing, up-lifting mortal with a command presence. She was not just a teacher; she was a leader in so many ways. A God sent. Very few took her qualities in a negative way. Those who did view her badly, it was mostly resentment, or sometimes, out of greed. In time, Mrs. Morton’s charm won over those few negative viewers. She was like a conductor on a train having to deal with its many passengers and their various cultures and issues at hand. She was a natural leader.
Her unique teaching style seemed to allow students to go at their own pace. There were periods of customary schooling. Other periods were seemingly free for the students to work on lessons by themselves, or with other students. This free style gave her time to work with those students who needed extra attention.
Mrs. Morton stood like most of David’s female teachers wearing matching skirt and blazer with black or brown low-heel shoes. Her large black frame glasses worked well with her black light tone, and her shiny black hair flowing down in waves to her neckline. Out of her big toothpaste smile came a slight southern draw when she spoke. “My angels,” she called her students. And all inside this woman was an energizing, up-lifting mortal with a command presence. She was not just a teacher; she was a leader in so many ways. A God sent. Very few took her qualities in a negative way. Those who did view her badly, it was mostly resentment, or sometimes, out of greed. In time, Mrs. Morton’s charm won over those few negative viewers. She was like a conductor on a train having to deal with its many passengers and their various cultures and issues at hand. She was a natural leader.
Her unique teaching style seemed to allow students to go at their own pace. There were periods of customary schooling. Other periods were seemingly free for the students to work on lessons by themselves, or with other students. This free style gave her time to work with those students who needed extra attention.
Mrs. Morton made the class line up by height. David Gimpel started the lineup since he was the tallest. Not only being the giant of the class, he had wide shoulders that would have been great for playing football. He had pale white skin with very tight curls of jet black hair, like one would get from a perm, but his hair was naturally coiled. His thick jet-black eyebrows accented his light brown eyes, and with that combination with his curly hair, it softens his nose on his face. It was larger than most. He had a large dimple on his right cheek that when he smile with his thick lips, his face lit up with cute written all over it.
David was the next tallest and stood next to David Gimpel. The line continued down to the shortest student. “Oh my, we have two Davids next to each other,” said Mrs. Morton as she inspected the line. “And both of your last names start with G. Now what to do? What to do?” Mrs. Morton’s plan for the lineup was to assign the student’s desk accordingly. The taller students would sit in the back row of the classroom. The two Davids’ desk would be next to each other. “I’ll call on you,” informed Mrs. Morton to David Gimpel, “as Big David.” Turning to the other David, “And I’ll call on you as Little David. Is that all right with you gentlemen?” The two DGs nodded their heads in agreement.
The Davids got settled in their allocate desk while Mrs. Morton continued working with her line of pupils. “Hi, David,” said David Gimpel as he put out his hand towards Little-David, “My name is Big-David.” They both chuckle while shaking hands.
If it wasn’t for his girlfriend Sue in Little-David’s life, meeting Big David might have gone awkward. Even thou Little-David felt a little at ease meeting someone new, it was different. It was different from Sue. Here was a boy standing tall next to Little-David with a kind smile shaking his hand, or in Little-David’s mind, holding his hand with his big hands. There was something about this boy that Little-David could not figure out. He was distinctive from the other kids in the school. Of course he was taller. Nevertheless, there was something unique with Big David from other kids of Little-David’s age. Little-David figured that Big David might be the leader of the class, as well as one of the brainy kids.
“When are you going go to fight the fight?” asked Joyce Stein to Big David and his groupies. Little-David knew that Joyce was one of the three main groupies of Big David.
“I was thinking during our winter break,” reply Audrey Goldberg. Joyce and Audrey seemed to have history with Big David. They talked about kids from their neighborhood, or kids that had moved out of Evanston, about movies, or last night’s television shows. Audrey and Joyce were always together. While they both had wavy auburn hair, brown eyes, and huge noses, Audrey was slightly taller than Joyce, and her nose was the larger one. Many times they both arrived at school wearing the same outfits.
“That’s because you can’t deal with Chicago’s snow,” said Alan Tardi, the third groupie. “I want to go during spring vacation.” Alan was the smartest kid in the class, as well as the smallest. He only came up to Little-David’s chest. Alan sat in the front row, even though he wanted to sit near Big David and his groupies. Alan was this small body of energy with wild dark brown hair with blonde highlights here and there. It was as if he had a bowl of hair on top of his head going every which direction.
“Well,” said Joyce, “I’m going to fight the fight during summer vacation and spend two or three weeks there.”
“Spring vacation is only one week long,” said Alan, the brainy kid. “I can’t miss school.”
Audrey upheld her stand, “Well, I’ll be doing two weeks during winter break.”
Big David’s and his groupies would talk a lot about going off to “fight the fight,” and about traveling outside the country. This was the era that when a young man turned 18, he had to register for the draft; The Vietnam War was going somewhere off in the distances. The television sat on Little-David’s family dinner table broadcasting descriptive pictures of dead bodies and the bloody wounded from this war. To Little-David, he didn’t understand why girls would be involved in “fight the fight.” What would two teenage girls and a little brainy kid, and a tall kid with a perm do in a war?
Joyce asked Big David, “David, when are you going to go to fight the fight?”
All three sets of eyes turned to Big David. “I think it’s a little too early to make a decision like this,” said Big David. “I’m going to look for a job to earn money to get there.”
Get where? Little-David thought that the U.S. military paid your transportation.
Joyce continued, “My parents are paying my way.”
Nice parents to send you off to war.
“My parents are paying half,” said Alan. “I was going to use my bar mitzvah to pay the other half.”
Bar Mitzvah? What a name for a bar. Besides, they’re too young to drink booze.
“My cousin, Saul, said the weather in Israel is pretty warm all year round,” said Audrey.
They’re just like Steven Schultz, but without a bible. To Little-David, Israel was an old land in a time long ago. Israel was Sunday School, not public school. Religion was puzzling to Little-David. With his brothers, they lived in a predominantly catholic neighborhood. His brothers, the black kid at the end of the block, and the Jewish red hair kid across the street from his house, all went to the public schools. The rest of the children in their neighborhood went to a Catholic School. This division baffled Little-David.
At the end of Little-David’s street was St. George High School, an all boy Catholic high school. Little-David would overhear his younger brother’s neighborhood friends saying that they were hoping to go to St. George after their Jr. High School days. “Why not to the city high school,” Little-David thought many times, “and why is it only for boys?”
It was not easy for Little-David to understand why his family’s Sunday church day lasted at least half the day, if not longer, while the Catholic kid’s church day was sometime between Friday night to Sunday night and only for an hour long. Little-David thought Brian, the Jewish red head boy across the street, went to church on Sundays because he did not go to the Catholic School with rest of the neighborhood. It seemed logical.
For the first time during all of Little-David’s public schooling, he was trying to guess why all the sudden church was in this class. Little-David knew that around the beginning of the school year, late September, on certain holidays, certain kids would not be in school. He deemed that this was normal since many times he and his brothers missed the first week of school. His parents planned their family vacation around the off-season rates. Summer rates end on the last day of August, and thus started Little-David’s family vacations in September with the beginning of the school year was right around the corner.
With a big grin, Bob Souza asked Big David and his gang, “What’s in Israel?” Bob was the best looking kid in the class. He looked like one of those kids you would see in a clothing catalog. Bright blue eyes, a tooth full smile, and sandy brown hair with blond streaks which went right along with his tan olive skin. Bob was the cool kid of the class. “Hey,” he would greet his friends, “How you doin’?”
“It’s our homeland,” Joyce answered Bob’s question.
Bob asked another question, “Aren’t you guys Americans?” He could get away with a lot of things because of his good looks. His blue eyes twinkle like in a Hollywood movie.
Joyce reacted with, “Yea.”
“Well, what are you fighting in Israel?” Bob’s facial expressions resembled like a major network TV news anchor.
Big David turned to Joe and in his tender voice answered, “As Jews, we look to Israel as our homeland for all Jews. We are Americans.” Big David’s arms circle pointing out Joyce, Audrey, and Alan, “All four of us were born in United States and our devotion is to America.”
Bob carried on his TV news anchor look by nodding with an inquisitive face. He was just missing the loud color suit with a channel number stitch on his chest pocket.
Big David continued, “As Jews, we are all connected to all Jews throughout the world, and Israel is that meeting place for all of us. A safe haven. Being a Jew, we need to lend a hand to our haven. So, we volunteer and live in a Kehilla, a self manage community, like serving at a children camp, or help with farming, or help build a building. Some Jews come to Israel and join up with the Israeli army. It’s all out to fight the fight for peace and justice. It’s all part of being a Jew.”
Bob’s inquiring expression turn to a grin. “Wow! That sounds cool!”
“Thanks,” said Big David, “it is kind of cool to know that there are Jews in almost every country in the world. Some are in hiding. Some are persecuted. And we want to make a home for all those who seek justice.”
“The Messiah is from Israel,” declared Steven Schultz in his nasal tone, “Praise Jesus!”
This would have typically been a moment where some snide remark could be made or a bully’s punch to Steven’s arm.
Instead, Big David responded, “That’s right. Jesus is from that area. My family has been Jewish a lot longer than they have been Americans. I love America. But I feel that I should first give to the people that my family has been connected to for thousands of years, all the way back to Abraham – a connection that no religion or country could ever replicate. “
Bob added, “I’m just Roman Catholic and know Abraham has something to do with the Romans, I think. I got relatives in Italy. I could go there anytime and stay with them, like Jews in Israel. I think?”
No matter want came out of Bob’s mouth, his charming grin made one overlook his peculiar remarks.
“That’s nice to have a family abroad that would welcome you to their home,” said Big David. “That’s sort of what being Jewish is all about. We’re sprinkled throughout many countries, even Italy, and we would be welcome to their homes. It’s like we’re part of many different cultures in many different lands, but we’re all Jews.”
“Oh my, Big David,” said Mrs. Morton, surprising the class, “That is impressive. You’re so majestic in describing your heritage. I enjoy your view on how the Jews are so interconnected in the world.”
Big David’s face flushed. “Thank you, Mrs. Morton.”
Little-David shared Mrs. Morton’s view of Big David. For Little-David, there was never a classmate like Big David, someone of the same age as Little-David who spoke with seriousness and vast authority, as well as with such kindheartedness.
Steven was an easy target. His constantly asking, “Are you saved?” would get on anyone’s nerves. “He would ask Joyce or Alan, “Do you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?”
They would answer, “No. We’re Jewish.”
And Steve would come back with, “Anyone one who does not believe in Jesus Christ as the Messiah will spend eternity in hell.”
Steven was ruthless with those who did not believe in his version of Christianity. “All Jews will go to hell because they do not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and the Messiah,” he told Big David.
Big David reply, “As a Jew, we are still waiting for the coming of the Messiah. I believe that Jesus was a prophet, but not the Messiah. ”
“Then, surely you will be left behind during His Second Coming,” Steven sermonizes at Big David. “You and all Jews will live in the fires of hell for all eternity.”
Big David would dismiss Steven’s words, “That’s what you believe, but I don’t. I see God as an understanding God who looks favorability at those who give with kindness and seek justice.” And Big David ended with, “We’ll agree to disagree.”
David was the next tallest and stood next to David Gimpel. The line continued down to the shortest student. “Oh my, we have two Davids next to each other,” said Mrs. Morton as she inspected the line. “And both of your last names start with G. Now what to do? What to do?” Mrs. Morton’s plan for the lineup was to assign the student’s desk accordingly. The taller students would sit in the back row of the classroom. The two Davids’ desk would be next to each other. “I’ll call on you,” informed Mrs. Morton to David Gimpel, “as Big David.” Turning to the other David, “And I’ll call on you as Little David. Is that all right with you gentlemen?” The two DGs nodded their heads in agreement.
The Davids got settled in their allocate desk while Mrs. Morton continued working with her line of pupils. “Hi, David,” said David Gimpel as he put out his hand towards Little-David, “My name is Big-David.” They both chuckle while shaking hands.
If it wasn’t for his girlfriend Sue in Little-David’s life, meeting Big David might have gone awkward. Even thou Little-David felt a little at ease meeting someone new, it was different. It was different from Sue. Here was a boy standing tall next to Little-David with a kind smile shaking his hand, or in Little-David’s mind, holding his hand with his big hands. There was something about this boy that Little-David could not figure out. He was distinctive from the other kids in the school. Of course he was taller. Nevertheless, there was something unique with Big David from other kids of Little-David’s age. Little-David figured that Big David might be the leader of the class, as well as one of the brainy kids.
“When are you going go to fight the fight?” asked Joyce Stein to Big David and his groupies. Little-David knew that Joyce was one of the three main groupies of Big David.
“I was thinking during our winter break,” reply Audrey Goldberg. Joyce and Audrey seemed to have history with Big David. They talked about kids from their neighborhood, or kids that had moved out of Evanston, about movies, or last night’s television shows. Audrey and Joyce were always together. While they both had wavy auburn hair, brown eyes, and huge noses, Audrey was slightly taller than Joyce, and her nose was the larger one. Many times they both arrived at school wearing the same outfits.
“That’s because you can’t deal with Chicago’s snow,” said Alan Tardi, the third groupie. “I want to go during spring vacation.” Alan was the smartest kid in the class, as well as the smallest. He only came up to Little-David’s chest. Alan sat in the front row, even though he wanted to sit near Big David and his groupies. Alan was this small body of energy with wild dark brown hair with blonde highlights here and there. It was as if he had a bowl of hair on top of his head going every which direction.
“Well,” said Joyce, “I’m going to fight the fight during summer vacation and spend two or three weeks there.”
“Spring vacation is only one week long,” said Alan, the brainy kid. “I can’t miss school.”
Audrey upheld her stand, “Well, I’ll be doing two weeks during winter break.”
Big David’s and his groupies would talk a lot about going off to “fight the fight,” and about traveling outside the country. This was the era that when a young man turned 18, he had to register for the draft; The Vietnam War was going somewhere off in the distances. The television sat on Little-David’s family dinner table broadcasting descriptive pictures of dead bodies and the bloody wounded from this war. To Little-David, he didn’t understand why girls would be involved in “fight the fight.” What would two teenage girls and a little brainy kid, and a tall kid with a perm do in a war?
Joyce asked Big David, “David, when are you going to go to fight the fight?”
All three sets of eyes turned to Big David. “I think it’s a little too early to make a decision like this,” said Big David. “I’m going to look for a job to earn money to get there.”
Get where? Little-David thought that the U.S. military paid your transportation.
Joyce continued, “My parents are paying my way.”
Nice parents to send you off to war.
“My parents are paying half,” said Alan. “I was going to use my bar mitzvah to pay the other half.”
Bar Mitzvah? What a name for a bar. Besides, they’re too young to drink booze.
“My cousin, Saul, said the weather in Israel is pretty warm all year round,” said Audrey.
They’re just like Steven Schultz, but without a bible. To Little-David, Israel was an old land in a time long ago. Israel was Sunday School, not public school. Religion was puzzling to Little-David. With his brothers, they lived in a predominantly catholic neighborhood. His brothers, the black kid at the end of the block, and the Jewish red hair kid across the street from his house, all went to the public schools. The rest of the children in their neighborhood went to a Catholic School. This division baffled Little-David.
At the end of Little-David’s street was St. George High School, an all boy Catholic high school. Little-David would overhear his younger brother’s neighborhood friends saying that they were hoping to go to St. George after their Jr. High School days. “Why not to the city high school,” Little-David thought many times, “and why is it only for boys?”
It was not easy for Little-David to understand why his family’s Sunday church day lasted at least half the day, if not longer, while the Catholic kid’s church day was sometime between Friday night to Sunday night and only for an hour long. Little-David thought Brian, the Jewish red head boy across the street, went to church on Sundays because he did not go to the Catholic School with rest of the neighborhood. It seemed logical.
For the first time during all of Little-David’s public schooling, he was trying to guess why all the sudden church was in this class. Little-David knew that around the beginning of the school year, late September, on certain holidays, certain kids would not be in school. He deemed that this was normal since many times he and his brothers missed the first week of school. His parents planned their family vacation around the off-season rates. Summer rates end on the last day of August, and thus started Little-David’s family vacations in September with the beginning of the school year was right around the corner.
With a big grin, Bob Souza asked Big David and his gang, “What’s in Israel?” Bob was the best looking kid in the class. He looked like one of those kids you would see in a clothing catalog. Bright blue eyes, a tooth full smile, and sandy brown hair with blond streaks which went right along with his tan olive skin. Bob was the cool kid of the class. “Hey,” he would greet his friends, “How you doin’?”
“It’s our homeland,” Joyce answered Bob’s question.
Bob asked another question, “Aren’t you guys Americans?” He could get away with a lot of things because of his good looks. His blue eyes twinkle like in a Hollywood movie.
Joyce reacted with, “Yea.”
“Well, what are you fighting in Israel?” Bob’s facial expressions resembled like a major network TV news anchor.
Big David turned to Joe and in his tender voice answered, “As Jews, we look to Israel as our homeland for all Jews. We are Americans.” Big David’s arms circle pointing out Joyce, Audrey, and Alan, “All four of us were born in United States and our devotion is to America.”
Bob carried on his TV news anchor look by nodding with an inquisitive face. He was just missing the loud color suit with a channel number stitch on his chest pocket.
Big David continued, “As Jews, we are all connected to all Jews throughout the world, and Israel is that meeting place for all of us. A safe haven. Being a Jew, we need to lend a hand to our haven. So, we volunteer and live in a Kehilla, a self manage community, like serving at a children camp, or help with farming, or help build a building. Some Jews come to Israel and join up with the Israeli army. It’s all out to fight the fight for peace and justice. It’s all part of being a Jew.”
Bob’s inquiring expression turn to a grin. “Wow! That sounds cool!”
“Thanks,” said Big David, “it is kind of cool to know that there are Jews in almost every country in the world. Some are in hiding. Some are persecuted. And we want to make a home for all those who seek justice.”
“The Messiah is from Israel,” declared Steven Schultz in his nasal tone, “Praise Jesus!”
This would have typically been a moment where some snide remark could be made or a bully’s punch to Steven’s arm.
Instead, Big David responded, “That’s right. Jesus is from that area. My family has been Jewish a lot longer than they have been Americans. I love America. But I feel that I should first give to the people that my family has been connected to for thousands of years, all the way back to Abraham – a connection that no religion or country could ever replicate. “
Bob added, “I’m just Roman Catholic and know Abraham has something to do with the Romans, I think. I got relatives in Italy. I could go there anytime and stay with them, like Jews in Israel. I think?”
No matter want came out of Bob’s mouth, his charming grin made one overlook his peculiar remarks.
“That’s nice to have a family abroad that would welcome you to their home,” said Big David. “That’s sort of what being Jewish is all about. We’re sprinkled throughout many countries, even Italy, and we would be welcome to their homes. It’s like we’re part of many different cultures in many different lands, but we’re all Jews.”
“Oh my, Big David,” said Mrs. Morton, surprising the class, “That is impressive. You’re so majestic in describing your heritage. I enjoy your view on how the Jews are so interconnected in the world.”
Big David’s face flushed. “Thank you, Mrs. Morton.”
Little-David shared Mrs. Morton’s view of Big David. For Little-David, there was never a classmate like Big David, someone of the same age as Little-David who spoke with seriousness and vast authority, as well as with such kindheartedness.
Steven was an easy target. His constantly asking, “Are you saved?” would get on anyone’s nerves. “He would ask Joyce or Alan, “Do you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?”
They would answer, “No. We’re Jewish.”
And Steve would come back with, “Anyone one who does not believe in Jesus Christ as the Messiah will spend eternity in hell.”
Steven was ruthless with those who did not believe in his version of Christianity. “All Jews will go to hell because they do not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and the Messiah,” he told Big David.
Big David reply, “As a Jew, we are still waiting for the coming of the Messiah. I believe that Jesus was a prophet, but not the Messiah. ”
“Then, surely you will be left behind during His Second Coming,” Steven sermonizes at Big David. “You and all Jews will live in the fires of hell for all eternity.”
Big David would dismiss Steven’s words, “That’s what you believe, but I don’t. I see God as an understanding God who looks favorability at those who give with kindness and seek justice.” And Big David ended with, “We’ll agree to disagree.”
Steven was Little-David’s savior. If Steven wasn’t in the class with his bible thumping, Little-David would have surly been the easy target. Steven’s behavior was quite the easiest mark ever. Even in a catholic school, he would be like a magnet searching for any iron fist. Little-David’s savior was going to be part of a momentous lesson; an epiphany for Little-David; something that no teacher could instruct out of a book.
The days pass from the warm autumn days turning to windy cold days. During those two months pass since the first day of school, the trees became naked of their leaves and Little-David and his classmates grew closer.
The classroom was in self study mode. Some kids were reading at their desk. Others were in small study groups talking softly. “Attention angels,” said Mrs. Morton as she clapped her hand. “I need to step out of the classroom for 15 to 20 minutes. I want you to keep working on your individual studies. You’re mature enough to be trusted to be on your own and continue with your studies.”
Trust us students? It worried Little-David that the class could go rowdy during his teacher’s absence. During his earlier grades, when a teacher just ran to the bathroom, the class would explode.
“Good. Good,” said Mrs. Morton in her usual way of appreciation. “I’ll be back shortly,” and out the classroom’s door disappeared Mrs. Morton. The students carry on with their studies.
Danae was in her bully-mood. She had punched a kid from another class that morning before school. “Hey, four-eyes priest,” Danae called out. Tina giggled. There was a silence in the room. “Hey, four-eyes, I’m talking to you.”
A loud quick, “Shhh” came from somewhere in the classroom. At his desk, Steven’s head was in his bible. Mrs. Morton encouraged the students to read a book of their choosing and write a report about it. Steven’s pick was the bible.
“You going to preach some more about hell?”
The classroom’s students acted as if they were studying. This was how Little-David’s past classes’ acted during a missing teacher. It starts out quiet and small. Slowly it builds, and then BANG!
“Hey, Steven,” called out Danae, “you think I’m going to hell?”
Steven did not raise his head out of his Bible. He answered with: “The two most important commands of Jesus are: to love God with all your might, and two, love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
“So, you think I don’t do those commandment things?”
Steven’s eyes still on his Bible’s pages, “Do you punch yourself like you punch other kids? Do you call yourself names like you call me?”
Danae jumped out of her desk yelling, “What’s it to ya, preacher? Don’t like being call four-eyes since you have four eyes?”
On cue was Tina’s laugh.
“Danae!” roar Big David as he stood up, “leave Steven alone!”
“Why?” she asked. “Why do you care? Why haven’t you knock his head off? He is always insulting you!”
Big David step towards Danae and question her, “What are you talking about?”
She answered, “Steven, if someone doesn’t think Jesus Christ is God, what happens to them?”
Steven looked up at Danae, “If a person doesn’t believe and worship in Jesus the Christ, that person will go to hell till the end of time.”
Danae march towards Steven with her fist pointing at him saying, “See?” Steven sat fearless in his desk. His hands still on his bible holding it open.
And then the BANG! In the teacher-less room.
“Danae!” bellowed Big David as he darted in between Danae and Steven. His face red and his eyes stern at Danae.
Danae stops in front of Big David’s chest. “Why are you protecting him? He thinks you, all of you,” her hand motion to Audrey, Joyce, and Alan, “are going to hell because you don’t believe Jesus is God. Why doesn’t that make you mad? Why don’t you punch his mouth shut? He hates Jews! Why?”
The classroom was filled with tension and apprehension. Little-David wondered why Mrs. Morton or the next door classroom teachers did not hear the yelling voices of Big David and Danae.
“I don’t agree with Steven’s views. I think he’s incorrect about God,” said Big David. His voice then softens a bit, “but Steven is an individual who has his own views of the world and of his religion. He’s entitled to his beliefs, just like I’m entitled to my beliefs. It takes courage to voice your convictions. Steven has guts to say his words, even when everyone thinks differently. And he stands by what he truly believes in.”
In a forceful voice, Danae demanded, “Why are you defending him? I’ll knock his mouth shut for you.”
“No!” Big David replies angrily. “I will fight for Steven’s right to say what he believes in. Even if I strongly disagree in what he is saying.”
Danae’s face turned dumbfounded.
Big David continues:
“President John Kennedy once said: ‘We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.’
There is a joke that when there are two Jews, there are three opinions. Jews like to see the other side of things. We have had many centuries to learn to value the freedom of ideas and speech.
Today we live in a nation that guarantees our basic freedoms, that all citizens have freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion. It’s hard to image a place like the United States where all those rights of a citizen could one day be taken away just basis on their religion, race, or beliefs. In Germany, Hitler got into power by legal means. This man leaded the people of Germany and Poland to view all Jews no longer as citizens, but as unwelcome guest. Jews could not hold certain jobs like banking, teaching or farming. My family, my people, were segregated, degraded, and torn apart not only as citizens, but as human beings who were eventually deported or killed.
The German Nazis burned over 100 million books throughout occupied Europe. This form of censorship by burning books and destroying libraries that were deemed un-German, they erased all traces of Jewish culture along with the Jewish people themselves. It became a time where Jews in Germany had to wear a golden piece of cloth to identity them as Jewish. By trying to forget the Jews were human beings, it made it easy for the Holocaust of 6 million people, most of them Jews.
Even in today’s 1970s, Soviet Jews can’t enroll in universities or hold certain jobs. Their synagogues are destroyed or watched by the KBG. Because of censorship, many Soviets believe that Jews are an immoral people, or cowards.
The stopping of exchange of ideas was the main underlining fact in all of these events. Censorship. Any type of censorship hurts us all. Did you know that some school and libraries in the United States have bans on books like Gone with the Wind, Gulliver’s Travels, Little Red Riding Hood, The Wizard of Oz, and Alice in Wonderland? Right here in our country, the United States.
Censorship. I believe with Voltaire saying: ‘I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.’
And with that, I disagree with Steven’s view of God, but I will defend his right to say what he believes in. I would be a hypocrite if I allow him to be silent just so my beliefs would be the only one heard.”
“Who is this boy?” Little-David thought to himself, “Big David is not acting like a boy.” Little-David had never met someone so unjudgmental. His maturities seem light years ahead of anyone he ever comprehend.
Danae stood speechless in front of Big David. Their eyes locked. Steven, who never moved or shown any fright, still stood behind Big David.
Bob broke the tension by making an observation, “Steven, you didn’t flinch once.”
Steven said, “That’s because I know that Jesus is with me all the time.”
Danae’s eyes, still fixed on Big-David’s eyes, filling with tears. Her head tilted as she try to see Steven around Big David, “That’s because Jesus was a Jew, and he’s standing in front of you.”
“That’s right,” cried Steven, “Praise Jesus!” Steven thought that Danae had finally understood his message of salvation and saw Jesus Christ the way he did.
Little-David understood Danae’s comment differently than Steven. “Danae was right,” thought Little-David. He was in awe of Big David. Here was the first time he saw his peers, outside his family, in a different way. His dream of a place where there could be people accepting you as who you truly are, and not be label. And to top it off, peers that will support you withstanding they agree or not. Mrs. Morton was correct in christening David Gimpel with the title of Big David. Little-David knew there was something different with this class, and Big David was the lead setting the tone of humanity in his eighth grade classroom. For the first time, Little-David had hope in this school institution.
This became the moment that Little-David started to see people with integrity, and a possibility of compassion. The world had shown a new light. From this new creation, the bud opened slightly showing a hint of its flower’s colors. The birth of David. And of Danae, for she slowly became quieter, calmer and a tad gentler after her clash with Big David.
This became the moment that Little-David started to see people with integrity, and a possibility of compassion. The world had shown a new light. From this new creation, the bud opened slightly showing a hint of its flower’s colors. The birth of David. And of Danae, for she slowly became quieter, calmer and a tad gentler after her clash with Big David.