Since arriving in Tulsa nearly three years ago, we have appreciated the level of interest and respect many people have for the Jewish community. Much of it stems from the deep Christian faith that many Tulsans espouse, and the desire to understand the Jewish foundation out of which Christianity grew.
To understand Judaism truly, one must have an appreciation for education. Jews are known as the People of the Book. Studying scripture and pursuing knowledge has been the bedrock of Jewish life. Throughout the ages it has enabled the Jewish people to survive and even succeed in the various lands of our dispersion. As Oklahoma faces one of the most severe budget crises in history, we believe that sharing the Jewish value of learning is especially relevant now more than ever. In the end, the budget choices we make reflect our collective values as a society.
A Talmudic story is told about two rabbis in ancient Israel who came to a town and asked to see the defenders of the community. The town elders brought out the military guard. Shaking their heads, the rabbis declared that these were not the defenders of the town. Surprised, the townspeople responded, “Then who are the protectors?” The rabbis answered, “The teachers are the defenders.”
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Our towns and cities in the United States are not so different from the ones in this story. It is through education and those who teach our youth that the promise of American freedom persists and children can reach their God-given potential. Education enables the next generation to be prepared to meet the opportunities this country has to offer. Teachers shape students to become productive and caring citizens who will one day not only sustain their families, but also build an America that lives up to its ideals. Given a fair opportunity, each and every child in this country has the potential to succeed and prosper.
Even as the state faces its significant budget deficit, we cannot allow ourselves to say that we have no choice but to cut education. The fact is that we do have a choice. When the state makes a quarter percent cut in income taxes for those in the top tax rate who need it least, we have made a choice. When we do not pay teachers competitively, the people of this state make a choice. And there are consequences, as Oklahoma lags far behind nearly all states when it comes to quality public education.
The choice not to fund education falls especially hard on the middle class and the poor who make due with public schools that are doing the best that they can with what legislators have given them. Wealthier families can and do create a parallel community and education system through private schools. In truth, this creates two different Oklahomas. If this trend persists, all of Oklahoma will suffer.
If we could attribute one thing to the persistence of 5,000 years of Jewish civilization it would be teaching, learning, and educating the next generation. This should not just be a Jewish value. When we do not make public education a priority in our state we sin against our children and our future.
Rabbi Micah and Rabbi Karen Citrin are co-rabbis of Temple Israel, Tulsa.
