Washington Post photographers set out to explore what unites Americans, through portraiture and audio interviews, and see what values and beliefs are shared in a country often described as polarized.
In 102 conversations, two in each of the 50 states and Washington, D.C., they asked people to contemplate what it means to be American in this time of upheaval and rapid change.
Together, their interviews reflect the core beliefs and values that connect Americans to their fellow countrymen and women. And they reveal commonalities and convictions that bridge geography, gender, occupation, race or religion — an indication that perhaps what unites Americans to one another is as powerful as what divides them.
There were seven unifying themes reflected most prominently: Community and empathy, opportunity and drive, diversity freedom and fundamental rights, a responsibility to engage, faith in the nation and fear for the future.
One of them was Rabbi Berel Levertov, 48, spiritual leader of Santa Fe Jewish Center-Chabad in New Mexico.
“When a person tells me ‘my fellow Americans,’ I usually stop listening to the rest of the conversation,” he told the Post. “I feel we are all part of the same country and it’s a land of opportunity for everybody.”
“America has so many different colors and so many different flavors. It’s all part of the same fabric. I think all Americans have a fundamental feeling that things should be right.”
the full artical cut out the main story of how berel,s father and grandfather worked for religion in russia and how we azppreciate religious freedom. validation??such articles in the media have great significance. u never know who gets inspired by it. we dont need the pat on the back but it does a lot of good for others.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel like we need validation from the velt. It’s a nice Kiddush lubavitch but as long as we know that the real validation is from the Rebbe mh”m. Keep up the amazing work regardless of who writes about you!
Go Berel!
Nice go Berl Levertov you the man