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Thursday, July 25, 2024 The Decalogue Society of Lawyers, is a representative of the legal community and is dedicated to justice, equality, and the protection of civil rights. Decalogue unequivocally denounces the abhorrent displays of antisemitism witnessed yesterday, July 24, 2024, in Washington, D.C. During these events in the nation's capital, acts of hatred and bigotry were brazenly directed at members of the Jewish community, including former hostages taken into captivity by Hamas in their October 7 terrorist attack on Israel. Such displays not only defy the principles of tolerance and inclusivity that our society cherishes but also strike at the heart of our shared commitment to uphold fundamental human rights. As an organization rooted in the pursuit of justice and equality under the law, the Decalogue Society of Lawyers reaffirms its steadfast opposition to all forms of discrimination and prejudice. Antisemitism, in particular, has no place in a civilized society and must be met with resolute condemnation and decisive action. "We are appalled by the egregious and disgusting acts of antisemitism witnessed yesterday in Washington, D.C.," said Joel Bruckman, President of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers. "Such displays of hatred are not only an attack on the Jewish community but on the principles of justice and equality that we hold dear. We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and reaffirm our commitment to combating antisemitism wherever it may arise." The Decalogue Society of Lawyers calls upon all leaders, our fellow Bar Associations, and individuals of conscience to condemn these acts and work tirelessly toward a society where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their race, religion, or background.
Monday, July 1, 2024
The Decalogue Society of Lawyers condemns this past weekend’s targeted protests at the homes of Jewish elected officials, U.S Congressman Brad Schneider and Governor J.B. Pritzker.
On Saturday at 3 am, protestors awoke residents and families in a predominantly Jewish residential neighborhood in Highland Park with bull horns, drum beats, and antisemitic chants on both the Sabbath and the eve of the second anniversary of the July 4th Highland Park mass shooting. Moreover, despite being advised of the obvious unlawful nature of their actions by the Highland Park Police, the very next day, that same group chose to deliberately repeat their unlawful behavior yet again, this time in a residential neighborhood of Chicago in front of the home of Governor Pritzker. Furthermore, it has been reported that licensed Illinois attorneys, who took an oath to adhere to the Rules of Professional Responsibility and Ethics and abide by all laws in this state, not only participated but may have also been involved in planning and organizing these hateful and plainly unlawful acts. Setting aside the targeting of Jewish elected officials and the anti-Semitic chants heard for blocks, the freedom of speech and the right to assemble and protest are not unlimited or without legal restrictions. Adherence to laws, especially by attorneys, even when protesting, is fundamental to a democratic society. Yet, here, the protesters blatantly violated, at minimum, local ordinances prohibiting public nuisances and excessive noise disturbing the peace even after receiving notice from law enforcement. While they could have visited Congressman Schneider’s or Governor Pritzker’s local offices at any time during regular business hours and engaged with them on any governmental policies with which they disagreed, they chose instead to frighten residents and families who have already endured unimaginable trauma, at 3 AM, violating not only the law but common decency. For 90 years, the Decalogue Society has zealously promoted justice in the fight against antisemitism and hate in all forms. We will continue our efforts, hoping that civility and the rule of law will always prevail.
Friday, March 18, 2024 Each year in March we celebrate Women’s History Month and, on March 8, International Women’s Day. This year, however, our celebrations are tempered with the reality that 132 hostages at time of publication are still being held in Gaza, not all of them alive, and fourteen of whom are females. The hostages were kidnapped during the brutal terrorist acts of Hamas on October 7, in which Hamas murdered over 1,000 civilians and sexually assaulted girls and women before slaughtering them. Yet despite the atrocities inflicted upon these girls and women, the conspicuous silence of many world leaders as well as international and local women’s organizations questions and degrades their stated mission to champion women’s rights. The selective response from such prominent organizations underscores a troubling inconsistency. If the mission is truly to support women universally, then dismissing the plight of the hostages subjected to such heinous acts by Hamas terrorists is not only a painful reminder of the vulnerabilities women have faced throughout history, but condones the sinister strategy of the weaponization of women as tools of war. Ignoring and discounting the testimony of released hostages about the sickening rapes they witnessed and endured, of doctors who examined deceased victims and survivors and found horrifying evidence of violent sexual assaults, of video footage and thousands of photos showing Hamas terrorists attacking female hostages, of confessions of Hamas terrorists, betrays the fundamental values these women’s organizations claim to uphold of defending the dignity and security of women worldwide. Or are Jewish women, mothers, sisters, daughters, exempt from protection, undeserving of basic human rights? #MeToo_UNless_UR_A_Jew? After five months, 150 days, in captivity, the UN’s envoy on sex crimes finally recognized that, “clear and convincing information that sexual violence including rape, sexualized torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment” was committed and there are “reasonable grounds” to believe that such violence is ongoing against hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Not a single hearing has been held, nor has the UN condemned Hamas, suggested sanctions, demanded the immediate release of the hostages, or even called for Hamas to present the hostages for medical examinations. Regardless of the failure of those claiming to protect girls and women to scream their outrage, flood their social media platforms with their disgust, or apply international pressure to denounce the brutality and support the immediate return of the hostages, we must continue to foster a collective commitment to equality and justice for ALL women that should be the foundation of any genuine women’s rights movement. So, in honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, it is essential to maintain vigilance in using our voices to advocate for the girls and women who have suffered unimaginable horrors. Working tirelessly for their release is a matter of humanity. BRING THEM HOME: Liri Albag (18), Naama Levy (19), Karina Ariev (19), Agam Berger (19), Daniel Gilboa (19), Romi Gonen (23), Eden Yerushalmi (24), Noe Argamani (26), Arbel Yehud (28), Amit Ester Buskila (28), Doron Steinbrecher (30), Shiri Bibas (32), Carmel Gat (39), Judy Weinstein (70). Decalogue Womxn’s Committee
Tuesday, January 8, 2024 Statement by the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists (IJL) in response to South Africa’s ICJ Application Accusing Israel of Genocide.
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 Monday, October 9, 2023
Decalogue Statement on the Attack Against Israel The Decalogue Society of Lawyers stands in solidarity with our friends and family in Israel and unequivocally condemns the horrific terrorist acts committed by Hamas against Israel and its People. It is deplorable that these terrorists targeted civilians, children, and Holocaust survivors. We grieve with those who are mourning the loss of their loved ones and pray for the safe return of the hostages. We also pray for the safety of Israel and all of her people!
עם ישראל חי
(The Jewish people live!)
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Decalogue Statement Regarding Changes to Israel's Judiciary
The Chicago-based Decalogue Society of Lawyers is America’s oldest and largest Jewish lawyers society. A principal purpose of the Decalogue Society is to “Foster the traditions and ideals of American democracy and to express support for the State of Israel.” The Decalogue Society of Lawyers recognizes that lawyers play a special role in preserving democracy here in Chicago, the United States, the State of Israel, and throughout the diaspora. The Decalogue Society of Lawyers has a deep respect for and appreciation of Israel’s commitment to the rule of law, not the rule of individuals, but the rule of law. In the words of Israel’s President Herzog, “The democratic foundations of Israel, including the justice system and human rights and freedoms, are sacred, and we must protect them and the values expressed in the Declaration of Independence.” Israel’s legal system may differ in detail from America’s, but the overriding themes of liberty and justice are identical. The State of Israel is now considering changing laws that include, but are not limited to, (1) giving the governing coalition, the government, effective control over who are elected as new justices to the Israel Supreme Court, (2) requiring an 80% majority of the Supreme Court, rather than a simple majority, to declare a new law as “unconstitutional,” (3) exempting new “constitutional” laws from judicial review altogether, (4) allowing the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, by simple majority, to immunize any laws adopted by it from judicial review, and (5) allowing the Knesset, by simple majority, to overturn a judicial declaration of unconstitutionality. The proposed changes to Israel’s laws weakening judicial review and granting the Knesset the power to be the sole judge of the constitutionality of its own legislation would undermine the ‘checks and balances’ that are essential to a functioning democracy. For those reasons the Decalogue Society of Lawyers is opposed to the proposed changes. Friday, January 8, 2021
The Decalogue Society of Lawyers’ demands the resignation or censure of Congresswoman Mary Miller: Shortly after being inaugurated as a Republican Congresswoman from Downstate Illinois, reading from prepared remarks in front of the U.S. Capital Building, Mary Miller paraphrased Hitler in a speech to a pro-Trump Moms for America rally. Specifically, she stated “Hitler was right on one thing. He said, whoever has the youth has the future.” This remark is based on a statement Hitler delivered during a Nazi party rally in 1935: “He alone who owns the youth gains the future.” The Congresswoman’s knowledge of Hitler’s speech is chilling enough, but to praise Hitler’s ability to indoctrinate youth, while standing in front of the U.S. Capital is deserving of not only denouncement but censure and/or removal from office. The Congresswoman first tried to claim her statement was a “denunciation of evil dictators’ efforts to re-educate young people and similar efforts by left-wing radicals in our country today.” As this statement was made shortly before rioters stormed the U.S. Capital, and several political and religious leaders called for her resignation, Representative Miller issued a new statement stating that she “regret(s) using a reference to one of the most evil dictators in history to illustrate the dangers that outside influences can have on our youth…While some are trying to intentionally twist my words to mean something antithetical to my beliefs, let me be clear: I’m passionately pro-Israel and I will always be a strong advocate and ally of the Jewish community. I’ve been in discussion with Jewish leaders across the country and am grateful to them for their kindness and forthrightness.” While the Decalogue Society of Lawyers appreciates the Congresswoman’s decision to make a statement that she is an ally of the Jewish community and regrets references Hitler, the fact that she took one of her first opportunities as a Congresswoman to praise Hitler as a role model is unjustifiable. We call on the Congresswoman to resign her post or for leaders to censure her.
In Memoriam – Ruth Bader Ginsburg
The Decalogue Society of Lawyers joins with all Americans to mourn the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg this past Friday. Her death coincided with the turning of the Hebrew calendar to the new year of 5781 on Rosh HaShannah. During the prayers on that day, Jews recite Unesaneh Tokef: a reminder to us all that though our future is uncertain, we do have the choice to engage in acts of goodness and to seek a life of righteousness. The motto of the Decalogue Society is “Tzedek, Tzedek, Tirdof” – Justice, Justice Shall You Pursue. In Hebrew, the word “justice” (tzedek) and the word “charity” (tzedakah) share the same root, which comes from the Hebrew word for righteous. Justice Ginsburg’s life of dedication was one of righteousness. She was a strong, educated, successful woman, having risen to the heights of her profession and serving as a justice on the highest court of the land. But she will also be remembered for her kindness, compassion, and efforts for others. After graduating from Cornell University in 1954, she started a family with her husband, Martin Ginsburg. She enrolled in Harvard Law School only after Martin returned from his military service, where she not only addressed the challenges of a male-dominated institution (being one of nine women in a 500-person class), she had to balance motherhood and taking care of Martin, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer. When Martin obtained a position at a New York law firm, Justice Ginsburg went with him transferring to Columbia Law School, where she served on the law review and graduated first in her class in 1959. She served as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge Edmund L. Palmeieri, before working and traveling for the Columbia Project on International Civil Procedure. She taught at Rutgers University Law School and Columbia Law School, where she became the first female tenured professor and directed the Women’s Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union, leading the fight against gender discrimination and successfully arguing various cases before the USSC. She was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in 1980 by President Jimmy Carter and to the United States Supreme Court in 1993 by President Bill Clinton. As a member of the Supreme Court, she participated in, and decided numerous cases that impacted the liberty of so many Americans, including writing the famous 1996 opinion in US v. Virginia, holding that qualified female candidates could not be denied admission to the Virginia Military institute. Importantly, she was a person of abiding respect for others – including those with opinions differing from her own; her close friendship with fellow Justice Anton Scalia was well known. She frequently spoke and gave of her time to various legal groups and to mentor other women in the legal practice. She was also proud of her Jewish faith. Justice Ginsburg’s righteous example is one that all attorneys can seek to emulate. And it is one that all Americans should celebrate. As we mark the new year, let us each choose the path of righteousness. Those of us observing Yom Kippur should take to heart the Unesaneh Tokef prayer and consciously choose to do good. May her memory serve for blessings to all who knew her. May her memory serve as a beacon to the rest of us.
(photo from Decalogue's 2002 Merit Award Dinner honoring Justice Ginsburg)
Monday, June 21, 2020 The Decalogue Society of Lawyers respectfully requests that the Illinois Supreme Court invite further input from bar associations and affected law students on the issue of how best to handle admission to the Illinois Bar, in light of COVID-19. On July 23, 2020, the Illinois Supreme Court announced that the Illinois bar exam would be taken remotely/online, due to the myriad of problems caused by COVID-19. Subsequently, on August 4, 2020, the American Bar Association issued Resolution 10G, which urged state Supreme Courts to consider alternative ways to license attorneys. Among the ABA’s suggestions were remote/online bar exams and diploma privilege. It’s noteworthy that prior to the ABA’s Resolution, several states had chosen the option of diploma privilege: Washington, Oregon, Utah, and Louisiana. Wisconsin and New Hampshire already had a form of diploma privilege even before the pandemic. The Decalogue Society takes no position on how the Illinois bar admission should be determined at this time. However, in light of concerns and comments raised by decalogue membership, we ask that the Illinois Supreme Court open the matter up for more input from stakeholders. COVID-19 has affected not just Illinois, but the entire nation. It has exposed our nation’s simmering inequalities. Oliver Wendell Holmes said that sunlight is the best disinfectant. COVID-19 has managed to shine a spotlight on racial and economic disparities that have long plagued our nation. There was a time when no states had bar exams. Back in those days, one became a lawyer by studying the law and being mentored. However, shortly after Reconstruction, several states instituted a tsunami of state licensing requirements for various occupations, and the practice of law was among them. Law school attendance and bar exam requirements were not developed in response to some public outcry for better lawyers. These requirements emerged in response to increased competition from women, freed Blacks, and immigrants. The bar exam’s purpose was to stealthily keep the legal profession as White as possible. And it has done so with brutal efficiency. For example, for the California February 2020 bar exam, the passage rate for first-time test takers by race is: Blacks, 5%, Whites 51.7%%, Latinos 32.6%, and Asians 42.2%. If 95% of Whites were failing the bar exam, how would the public react? Can there be any doubt that when Whites fail en masse the public feels the problem must be with the process, but when minorities fail en masse their failure is presumed to be proof of their inferiority? While California is not Illinois, for purposes of inequality, it’s a distinction without a difference. Illinois’ overall track record on racial justice is no better than California’s. What makes the bar exam’s racially disparate outcomes even more egregious, is that the consequences for failing the bar exam now are more serious than they were a few generations ago. Today, students have crushing debt from undergrad and law school, that can’t even be discharged in bankruptcy. Student loans are like an albatross around the neck of so many young people. Their inability to practice law in light of their student loan debt makes the need for thoughtful consideration all the more compelling. Dr. King once compared our nation’s leaders to Rip Van Winkle. Van Winkle fell asleep for 20 years. When he first went to sleep, the 13 colonies were under British rule, but when he woke up George Washington was president of a newly independent nation. Rip Van Winkle had slept through the American Revolution. Dr. King commented that like Rip Van Winkle, our leaders were sleeping through a revolution. Our nation’s leaders, including within the legal profession, have for too long been drowsy on the comfort and security that only comes with privilege. Now, we are being awakened from our privilege-induced rest by protests and riots in the streets. Surely, some may caution against making any radical changes to the bar exam, especially in a hurried manner. But how long a minute is, depends on which side of the bathroom door one is standing on. How much longer shall we slumber?
Monday, June 8, 2020 To Our Decalogue Community, The words “I can’t breathe” are antithetical to the essential Jewish belief that all people are created in the image of G-d through a holy gift of the breath of life. The murder of George Floyd deprived our fellow citizen of that gift, as it deprived him of his human dignity at the hands of those who abused power. The murder of George Floyd only underscores the violence against members of protected classes that has increased recently. Those who sow seeds of division have been emboldened to encourage and perpetrate heinous acts against minorities. Unfortunately, this trend has continued to escalate over the last 6 months. George Floyd’s death highlights the harms inflicted against Black Americans, which also included the February 23, 2020 murder of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia on account of his skin color. We all, Jewish or not, join the cries of our Black American friends and neighbors to end racism. Jews understand generational trauma. And we must be ever-vigilant to prevent acts of hate from being “normalized.” This has not been an easy task. Even after the anti-Semitic synagogue attacks in Pittsburgh, Poway, and elsewhere, within the past few months, Jews have been brutally attacked and murdered, including in a New Jersey kosher supermarket and during Hannukah celebrations. We mourn all of these losses – losses borne of hate. As recently as last week, synagogues continue to be targets of anti-Semitic acts, including graffiti and vandalism. These are separate from the vile conspiracy theories directed against Jews, Asians and others in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. These events emphasize the need for our solidarity in condemning acts that cause such harm to our friends and neighbors. As citizens, we have faced numerous challenges during the closures brought about by the pandemic. Our justice system and first responders have been strained to address these challenges. And we continue to be grateful to those who sacrifice for others. But, we cannot let these challenges impede our efforts. For over 8 decades, Decalogue has stood firmly against discriminatory policies against all communities. Now more than ever we need to redouble our efforts to ensure all have access to justice and that those who abuse their power are brought to justice. May our efforts serve to help the United States of America achieve its full potential as a beacon of light unto the nations, and a society where the rule of law justly prevails equally among its inhabitants. Helen B. Bloch
Monday, July 15, 2019 The Decalogue Society of Lawyers joins with voices rejecting President Trump’s rhetoric in recent tweets suggesting certain members of Congress “go back” to “places from which they came.” For 85 years, the Decalogue Society of Lawyers has stood against bigotry, defended the rule of law, and promoted civility in society. The American Jewish community has faced and continues to face discriminatory rhetoric and actions that seek to challenge our place as Americans. And we have sought to work against such discriminatory rhetoric and actions – whether directed against our community or others, including questioning the loyalty of any American based on national origin or ethnicity. Our democratic republic is predicated on the ideal that varied viewpoints are important. The United States was founded as a haven for immigrants. Our national credo “E Pluribus Unum” (Out of Many, One) recognizes that, as a nation, we are stronger due to our diversity of populations and viewpoints. We must all stand up with one voice and reject hurtful and discriminatory rhetoric that subverts our country’s ideals.
June 27, 2019 Comments from Decalogue outgoing President Jonathan Lubin If there is one part of the annual dinner that I would avoid altogether if I could, it would be the president’s farewell address. Therefore, in the interest of saving time at the annual dinner while still doing justice to the thoughts that have been percolating in my mind over the course of this wonderful year, I wanted to share some of my thoughts here on the Decalogue Society’s Facebook page. I’m the first president to talk to our membership through Facebook. I think it has made Decalogue more accessible; and I hope that future presidents follow this model. First, I want to give recognition where it is due. Being president of the Decalogue Society is not a full time job. In many ways, it is much more than that. At the same time, I’ve remarked many times that the Society could really run itself. We have a number of committees that function fairly independently, including the Social Action committee, the Judicial Evaluations committee (known affectionately… or sometimes not so affectionately, as JEC), the Committee Against Anti-Semitism, the Tablets committee which produces our publication, The Tablets, the CLE committee, the Technology committee, the Young Lawyers committee and the Law Students committee that work in tandem. We have a Board of Managers. We have the Executive Committee, whose Second Vice President is charged with chairing our busiest committee, the Events committee. The committee chairs, board, and executive committee members run this Society. They work hard. They should be recognized. I don’t think any of our events this year would have been anywhere near as successful as they were without the help of Patrick John, our second vice president. He has worked tirelessly for the Decalogue Society, and he has done so largely in the shadows (despite how tall he is). Aviva Miriam Patt, our executive director, is our rock. She is our secret weapon. At the annual dinner last year, I said that she runs the Society, and I can now confirm that with firsthand experience. She deserves our thanks. I’ve leaned on a number of people this year, but none more than Mitchell Goldberg, the immediate past president, who can now (finally) take a rest from some of his labors for our Society. I doubt he’ll fade into obscurity. But I hope he at least takes a short break. Knowing him, that isn’t likely. This year, we set out to increase our connections to the bar at large, and to the affinity bar associations we work with. One of the ways we did this was to have regular low-key socials with other bar associations. This not only gave Decalogue members the ability to mingle and network with other attorneys – one of the most important immediate benefits of membership in our organization – but it helped us forge relationships with other bar associations. I’m proud that this happened on my watch, and I hope that we continue to cultivate relationships with bar associations. To put it in the vernacular, we have each other’s back. Decalogue was one of the bar associations that stood beside the Arab American Bar Association in the weeks after 9/11, when Islamophobic and anti-Arab sentiment was rising. They had our back this year in light of the rising anti-Semitism we’ve seen here in Chicago and elsewhere. We put on a joint program with the Advocates Society regarding changes in Poland, including the rising anti-Semitism there. The Chicago Bar Association and others put together a CLE on hate crimes and hate speech in the wake of anti-Semitic events late last year. We’re thankful for these partnerships, and we will only build on them. This may be as good a place as any to point out one of the fascinating things I’ve learned in this role: the Arab American Bar Association appoints their presidents to two-year terms. I’m thankful that we haven’t adopted that model yet – I need a break – but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Developing a rhythm, understanding how to lead an organization like this one, takes time. I was amazingly involved in this organization as the second vice president (I never held the office of first vice president). I put in a ridiculous number of hours. Still, the unique challenge of being president of the organization was a shock. I doubt I would have a different opinion of the matter if I’d taken the office ten or twenty years down the road. One of the areas where we have specific challenges is in the area of continuity. Whatever we are today may or may not be what we are in a handful of years. Giving the president the ability to establish continuity through a longer term in office is something we should look into. As both a board member and in the role of president, I’ve focused on that continuity as part of the long-term sustainability of the organization. This year, I did that in part through reconstituting the Strategic Planning committee. I’ll continue to be involved in that committee in the coming years as we ascertain our core strengths and build on them. Decalogue is important, and one way we can ensure that we will always be there as a bulwark against anti-social movements is to ensure, in the most literal sense, that we will always be there. Technology and changing social patterns have threatened the sustainability of nearly ever bar association out there. Decalogue is not unique in facing these challenges. But we will rise to the challenge and become greater for it. Finally, I’ve tried very hard to respect the independence of the Judicial Evaluations Committee. One of this year’s honorees is Su Horn, who was one of JEC’s pioneers. She’s done the bulk of the logistical work in making sure that our JEC is among the most respected of the Alliance bar associations. A Recommended rating by Decalogue is not easy to achieve. It carries weight. That’s partly due to our JEC’s fierce independence. The president and the board have no say over the ratings given by JEC. That has allowed our JEC members to honestly appraise judicial candidates. I wouldn’t have it any other way; and I say that not only as an outgoing president, but as an incoming co-chair of the JEC. That brings me to a touchy subject: Jewish judges. The number of Jewish judges as a percentage of Cook County judges has fallen in recent years. On one hand, Decalogue is committed to as qualified a judiciary as possible – and that means that in a given race, we want to see the best candidate win, whether or not that candidate is a member of the tribe (or, for that matter, the Decalogue Society). On the other hand, we view the changes in the judiciary with some trepidation. One of the things that the Strategic Planning committee is going to have to face, along with the Board of Managers, is promoting the qualified among us. I can think of quite a few of our membership, including members of our Board and past presidents, who would make phenomenal judges. How we promote qualified Decalogue members while simultaneously respecting the independence of JEC and its role in rating judicial candidates is a task for the incoming Board. I’ll be part of that conversation, but only part. It is an important conversation to have, and its one of the areas where we may have room to grow. Speaking of room to grow, the zero sum nature of the modern political scene may not be new – though some have claimed otherwise – but it certainly is corrosive to American society, and I believe that it is becoming more and more corrosive rapidly. I’m not talking about electoral politics. Frankly, I think Andrew Breitbart was right when he said that politics is downstream from culture. I’m talking about our culture. When I spoke at the annual meeting last year, I made the comment that our influence is usually the strongest among those who are closest to us. Here in Chicago, we frequently pat ourselves on the back for our brave stance against Donald Trump, a figure who had no more chance of winning Cook County than he had of defeating Michael Phelps in a swimming competition. I see no bravery in that. Bravery is in taking a meaningful stand when the expedient thing is not to. The rise in anti-Semitic and authoritarian activism on the left may be paralleled by a similar rise in the right. It may even be the case that, on the right, the problems are more acute. There is plenty of evidence of that. I wouldn’t know because I live in Chicago, where the problems aren’t on the right. They couldn’t be. In general, right wingers in Chicago either don’t exist, or they’re too afraid to show their faces. But anti-Semitism and authoritarian behavior, the refusal to hear the other side – or, worse, the refusal to allow another side to exist – flourishes here all the same. We can point fingers, of course. And we would be right to do so. A national media that turns a high school student into the embodiment of 1984’s Emmanuel Goldstein – an enemy of the progressive regime – for the crime of smiling with a hat on should not be trusted to report on anything, much less to drive the national conversation on issues that matter. And the New York Times, with its anti-Semitic cartoons, and its cartoonish portrayal of national and world affairs shouldn’t be trusted as anything other than toilet paper. But in reality, our influence only stretches so far. Indeed our influence is usually the strongest among those who are closest to us. A couple of years ago, the Dyke March in Chicago threw out Jews for brandishing the Star of David, the symbol of our religion. The symbol that Hitler forced our people to wear so they could be identified – as Jews, not as Zionists – was now a triggering event for cowards and authoritarians alike. The scene has now repeated itself, most recently in Washington, D.C. If you’re brave enough to call out Donald Trump for his latest stupid tweet but not brave enough to call clear anti-Semitism what it is, you are not brave. Historians will tell you that the rise of the Third Reich was not an overnight electoral success. It first took hold in the culture of the Weimar Republic. The Weimar Republic had a constitution. It had due process. It had well meaning laws meant to protect the rights and freedoms of the German people. It had all of the things that people impotently point to as evidence of why what happened there couldn’t happen here. The culture of authoritarianism, which seems to always accompany anti-Semitism, is a tumor in this country. If it ever was benign, it is no longer. That is as good a segue as I’ll manage for how happy I am that Helen Bloch is going to be taking the helm of this important and historic organization. She is a fierce advocate. She is brave and strong. She’s forged connections within our community and without. Her family should be proud of her for many reasons. But I’m happy that one of those reasons will be for her leadership of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers. I’m happy to call her a friend, and I wish her the best of luck as president of this organization. Very Truly Yours, JL
April 29, 2019 Comments from Decalogue President Jonathan Lubin I’ve been at a loss for words in the wake of the tragedy that occurred in the final hours of Passover, the Time of our Freedom as it is called in our liturgy, in Poway, California. First of all, any terrorist act like this, the shooting of totally innocent people, is beyond comprehension. This evil man took Ms. Lori Gilbert-Kaye from the world for no reason at all. By all accounts, she was a beacon of light, a credit to the Jewish community. She died a hero and a martyr. Second of all, this is the second incident of this nature – a shooting at a synagogue – in the United States within a year. I am thankful for the many miracles that kept the death toll from being more catastrophic. One of those miracles was that one of the congregants was armed and skilled in self-defense. Indeed, nationwide, many synagogues are already putting security measures in place, including having armed guards, armed congregants, or a mix of the two. This is a trend that is likely to grow, I am afraid. I am sad that it is necessary. I am thankful that so many of our community are becoming vigilant to the reality of their situation. Third of all, the shooting occurred at a Chabad shul. I pray at a Chabad shul every week, Bnei Ruven in West Rogers Park. As a Chasid in the Chabad-Lubavitch tradition, this event hits me close to home. So I hope I can be forgiven for how long it has taken me to respond to these terrible events. The tragedy is numbing. I have tried throughout my presidency to measure my words, and to lean towards saying nothing rather than saying something that could offend. I think the time for silence has passed, and the time for being measured is at an end. Whenever something like this happens, one of the first things we collectively do is to figure out who is responsible. The media, in its wisdom, has decided that it is against public policy to publicize the name of perpetrators if these events. References to him by name, therefore, have been sporadic. I have no love for that policy. It makes it too easy to begin the search for responsible parties somewhere other than where it ought to start. The name of the shooter is John Earnest, may his memory be blotted out. He left behind a letter explaining his intentions. That letter, like so much of the antisemitism we’ve become used to, professes allegiance to no political movement. Its only ideology was antisemitic, plain and simple. But a broader question can be asked: what is fueling our nation’s newfound love of one of the world’s oldest prejudices? I think it is no coincidence that almost at the same time as this terrible event, the New York Times published an antisemitic cartoon, depicting President Trump, wearing a yarmulke and Chassidic garb, holding a leash connected to a large-nosed Prime Minister Netanyahu, with a dog’s body. The image does not even pretend to be anything other than antisemitic. When called to account, the Times initially issued a statement acknowledging their error, but pointedly not apologizing. Only several hours later, the newspaper apologized, and offered vague promises that it would not happen again. Then they replaced the image with another image that was less antisemitic by mere degrees. With respect to the Times’ apology, I do not accept it. Between the Times’ antisemitic cartoon and the delayed apology, I think they were being more honest when they published the former. The cartoon was not an outlier in 2019. More and more, displays of antisemitism purporting to be criticism of Israel have become normalized in our culture. In some cases, even the pretense of criticizing Israel is absent. Another hero, and victim, of John Earnest was Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein. Before being taken away from the scene of the attack, Rabbi Goldstein lead a chant of Am Yisroel Chai – the People of Israel Live! Indeed, we’ve faced scarier oppressors than the little man who perpetrated this crime upon our community. And indeed, we’re used to the likes of the New York Times, with its antisemitic cartoons. But we should be under no illusions about our responsibility to one another in light of this growing darkness. We must stand strong against hatred. We must support one another. Traditionally, I’ve coupled these statements with some call to action that is specifically Jewish in nature. And so I will do so here as well. The world is a little darker because of this evil. The attack occurred on the Sabbath. Let us bring light to the world this upcoming Sabbath. Here in Chicago, Sabbath candles should be lit this Friday at or before 7:31 pm. I invite everyone reading this to add in light, and add in mitzvos, to fight back some of the darkness. Yours in solidarity, Jonathan Lubin
November 28, 2018 Comments of Decalogue President Jonathan Lubin I’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for the Council on American Islamic Relations, and particularly the Chicago branch of that organization, which promotes civil rights for all people. Over the weekend Hussam Ayloush, Director of CAIR – Greater Los Angeles, published a statement on Twitter that calls for the destruction of the State of Israel. The death of respectful discourse in this country is, as always, distressing. This kind of language does not advance CAIR’simportant message, or forward its important work. The Decalogue Society of Lawyers, America’s oldest Jewish bar association, has always striven to build bridges, not tear them down. We look forward to continuing that important work, particularly given how clear the common ground is between our organization, and one, such as CAIR, that is dedicated to the advancement of human rights at home and around the world. I am therefore personally disappointed in the unhelpful and, frankly, unhealthy rhetoric out of Mr. Ayloush. As president of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers, I call upon him, and upon CAIR, to disavow such rhetoric.
October 28, 2018 Comments of Decalogue President Jonathan Lubin on Yesterday’s Events in Pittsburgh The news of the eleven martyrs, and the injured, in Pittsburgh sent the entire Jewish community into mourning. That these individuals were taken from us solely due to their Jewish identity gives us pause, and compels us to speak. For my part, I feel wholly inadequate to the task of finding meaning in these savage acts, or to somehow comfort those who, like me, were so saddened by them. Personally, I’ve taken great comfort in the outpouring of support that I’ve seen from so many who have sought to console the Community of Israel in this trying time. Our tradition teaches that when someone dies, it is left to the living to do good deeds in their merit. See Sefer Chassidim, Siman 1171. In the language of the Chassidic masters, we seek to push away the darkness by adding in light. The most obvious manifestation of that light is the light of the Shabbos candles; and I think it would be a very good thing to commemorate these kedoshim, who were martyred on Shabbos, to increase in light through the lighting of Shabbos candles. Indeed, this coming Shabbos will be the last one in some time in which lighting Shabbos candles will be easy to do, given the busy schedules of so many of our membership. The time to light candles this week will be 5:23 pm. By next week, after the clocks change, it will be much earlier. Another manifestation of that light could be in increasing in acts of goodness and kindness, including by giving tzedakah. As the Lubavitcher Rebbe frequently reminded us, the word tzedakah – traditionally rendered ‘charity’ in English – truly means justice. For those of us who have the ability to give – whether of our money or of our time and skills – it is incumbent upon us to do so. We were given what we have so that we could use it to heal this broken world. And this world is in great need of healing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the martyrs, the wounded, and their families. May their memory be a blessing, and may the True Judge bring justice to those who mean harm to peaceful people.
Comments of 2018-2019 President Jonathan Lubin, 84th Annual Installation & Awards Dinner, June 27, 2018 Thank you Judge Evans, and to the honorees, Madame Attorney General, dear guests, thank you all for being here. A special thank you to my wife, Chana Raizel Lubin for coming to this dinner, and for supporting all that I do and have done for this organization. A special thank you to my mother, Dona Spain, who is in town from Coral Gables, Florida – my old stomping ground. And to everyone else who has come here, who has purchased ads, or sponsored this dinner, thank you, thank you for supporting our work. This week, we read from the Torah Portion called Parashas Balak, from Numbers, which tells the story of the evil prophet Bilaam, and his failed attempts to curse the Jewish people. Our sages, in Ethics of our Fathers, learn certain lessons from Bilaam. They say that there are three traits that are common to students of Abraham our Father: A kind eye, a lowly spirit, and muted passions. By contrast, the evil Bilaam’s students are characterized by having an evil eye, a haughty spirit, and expansive desires. The Chassidic Master, the Sefas Emes asks the obvious question: what have I learned from this? Any fool could figure it out. And he answers that many people think that dedication, in and of itself, is praiseworthy. Come our sages and say that one must have a kind eye – he needs to see the good in others, and seek out their benefit. She needs to have a humble spirit – the willingness to subjugate even her own goals for the sake of her fellow. Finally, such a person must be extrinsically motivated. Dedication alone may not be sufficient. Ours is merely to be tools in the hands of the Most High. Our sages continue that students of Abraham eat in this world, but they inherit the world to come. The Baal Shem Tov, the founder of the Chassidic movement, says that ‘inherit’ here doesn’t refer to some eschatological future, but rather it refers to the here and now. When your motivations are to serve the Master of the Universe, you draw the world to come into this world, and make it holy. This is true leadership. This dinner is a celebration of leaders, people who I and many others hold up as heroes. People like our honorees, and our keynote speaker, here tonight. People like Rabbi Ahron Wolf, who makes sure that no Jew in Chicagoland is ever alone to fend for himself or herself, particularly in hospitals and retirement homes. Rabbi Baruch Hertz is, for me and for many others in Chicago, a leader and hero of the highest caliber. Rabbi Hertz would give the shirt off of his back, and with him that isn’t a figure of speech. Aviva Patt, our Executive Director. She’s the real leader of the Decalogue Society. With a rise in anti-Semitic incidents and other forms of nativist bigotry, leaders are a precious commodity today. And any Economics student knows that what makes a commodity precious is its scarcity. The Decalogue society was one of the many organizations that filed an Amicus Brief before the United States Supreme Court earlier this term, pointing out the striking similarities between what has been called the Muslim ban and nativist bans against Jewish immigration that we faced in the flight from Hitler’s Europe. I was proud to be one of its co-authors. And I’d like to recognize Gail Eisenberg, one of the other co-authors, for her leadership on that score. While I personally was disappointed in the decision that was handed down yesterday in that matter, I’m proud of the work of so many attorneys who stood up for what is right, and at the very least caused the president to amend the travel ban so that it would comport, however slightly, with the Constitution. We organized an immediate response to the events in Charlottesville earlier this year that brought together leaders from many of the affinity bar associations. I can see many of you here today, and I’m happy that we’re all on the same team. We’re a good team. And we’ll do great things. Bigotry is more and more an equal opportunity employer. As Jews, we’ve learned through the wisdom that comes from unfortunate experience that in order to confront hate, it is simply not enough to look across the political aisle and point out the iniquities of those on the other side. Indeed, our influence is usually the strongest among those who are closest to us. But with every challenge comes an opportunity. The Lubavitcher Rebbe was wont to say that the light shines brightest in the darkness. The Decalogue Society has always been a light. And if current events have cast a cold shadow over our great nation, know that our light will shine brighter and brighter, with all of your help. As I wrote in the Tablets last Spring, alternative media – internet chat boards, and social media – have not only created new forums for bigotry, but they’ve given us new tools to fight it. We aren’t going to stop people from speaking – nor should we try. As Justice Brandeis articulated it, “those who won our independence believed that the final end of the State was to make men free to develop their faculties.” We aren’t going to be able to scare bigots into their basements. In many cases, they’re already there. We know, as Brandeis continues “that it is hazardous to discourage thought, hope and imagination; that fear breeds repression; that repression breeds hate; that hate menaces stable government; … and that the fitting remedy for evil counsels is good ones.” At the investiture of Justice P. Scott Neville Jr. that I attended on behalf of this Society recently, more than one of the speakers referred to the words inscribed on the wall of our Illinois Supreme Court: Audi Alteram Partem, hear the other side. That dedication to equanimity in the face of competing narratives may be the secret to American liberty. Free speech doesn’t give hatred the freedom to grow. It gives hatred the freedom to die, and die it should. And nobody has dedicated himself to that vision, or has fought hatred with greater ferocity, and with more poise than Mitchell Goldberg; you’ve left big shoes to fill. I feel wholly inadequate to the challenge. But thankfully, working alongside you these few years, you’ve also given me important lessons in what it means to be a leader, and a statesman. There is so much I’d like to say to you about how grateful I am to have been given the time we’ve spent together, working for this organization. But, as words wouldn’t do justice, I can only say thanks. With your model as a guide, and with G-d’s help, this Society will grow, resting on the strong foundations that have been laid for it, but with the conviction that FOR US the sky truly is the only limit. Thank you, and G-d bless you.
May 8, 2018 The Decalogue Society of Lawyers strongly condemns the anti-Semitic attack against a Jewish man yesterday afternoon in downtown Skokie, IL. The yarmulke-wearing, Jewish man wasaccosted by a perpetrator using anti-Semitic epithets. The attacker pursued the victim and caused damage to the victim’s car, in which he sought refuge. The victim was targeted because he wore a yarmulke. This is the second overtly anti-Semitic crime committed in the Chicagoland area in days. That this incident occurred in Skokie, home to a large Jewish community that includes holocaust victims, and which has historically been targeted by hate groups, is alarming. All people in our community, our state and our nation have the right to live in safety and free from any hate crimes or other discriminatory behavior. The Decalogue Society applauds the Skokie Police Department and the Cook County State’s Attorney for taking decisive action. And Decalogue looks forward to working with them and with other groups to make sure that the Jewish community’s safety concerns are being addressed. And we look forward to appropriate charges being brought against the perpetrator of this hate crime. Hate is one of the greatest evils that all societies must confront. And they must confront it decisively. For over eight decades, Decalogue has stood at the forefront of battling against all forms of hate and discrimination and to ensure that our nation remains free for all of its inhabitants. Over its existence, Decalogue has fought to defend the dignity and inherent rights of all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, creed, national origin, sex, or sexual orientation. Decalogue shall continue to proudly stand in support of all victims of hate, and among the voices opposing the evils of hate and intolerance.
May 4, 2018 The Decalogue Society of Lawyers strongly condemns the events of yesterday evening, when a Hebrew-speaking Uber passenger was ejected by the driver of an Uber car while driving on Lower Wacker Drive during rush hour traffic. The passenger, Itay Milner, explained the event in a post on social media: “I was just thrown out of an Uber in the middle of the highway only because I answered my phone in my mother tongue.” Apart from the extreme danger the Uber driver placed his passenger in, federal, state and local laws protect all people from the kind of discrimination described by Milner. Though Uber has stated that it has suspended the driver, the Decalogue Society is working with other groups to investigate whether and to what extent federal, state and local laws were violated by the Uber driver and/or Uber. All people in Chicago and Illinois deserve protection against the kind of discriminatory behavior on display last night. Hate is one of the greatest evils that all societies must confront. And they must confront it decisively. For over eight decades, Decalogue has stood at the forefront of battling against all forms of hate and discrimination and to ensure that our nation remains free for all of its inhabitants. Over its existence, Decalogue has fought to defend the dignity and inherent rights of all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, creed, national origin, sex, or sexual orientation. Decalogue shall continue to proudly stand among the voices opposing the evils of hate and intolerance. And we look forward to Uber’s full cooperation in responding effectively to the events of yesterday. .On Tuesday, August 22, Decalogue, joined by the Cook County Bar Association, Black Women Lawyers Association, and Chicago Bar Association, hosted a press conference in the wake of the violence in Charlottesville. Following are the opening remarks of Decalogue President Mitchell Goldberg, with a link to the entire statement. Thank you all for being here today. And thank you to Lee Zoldan, Loop Synagogue President, for your introductory remarks. My name is Mitchell Goldberg and I am the president of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers. I am also the grandchild of a Holocaust survivor who grew up in Germany, enduring the humiliations and pain of the rise of the Nazis in the 1930s. Yesterday was the eclipse of the sun. Today we gather as a coalition of people willing to stand together, shoulder to shoulder, to say in one voice that we must work to eclipse bigotry and hate. Hate is an evil that all societies must confront. And they must confront it decisively. This is not a political issue. This is not a party issue. This is an American issue. Represented here today are the following organizations (in alphabetical order): Alliance of Illinois Judges American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists
Arab American Bar Association of Illinois
Asian American Bar Association
Asian American Bar Association Law Foundation
Black Women Lawyers Association of Greater Chicago
Chicago Bar Association
Chicago Loop Synagogue
Chinese American Bar Association
Cook County Bar Association
Decalogue Society of Lawyers
Filipino American Lawyers Association
Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois
Illinois State Bar Association
Jewish Judges Association of Illinois
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago
Muslim Bar Association of Chicago
National Employment Lawyers Association of Illinois
South Asian Bar Association Read the entire statement here Read statement from the President of Congregation Beth Israel in Charlottesville
February 6, 2017, Decalogue joined our colleagues from the Arab American Bar Association and the Muslim Bar Association in condemning President Trump’s immigration ban as irrational, discriminatory and unconstitutional, and his disparagement of a federal judge as an attack on the separation of powers. “No one is bigger; no president, nobody, is bigger than the Constitution of the United States,” declared Judge (ret.) William Haddad of the Arab American Bar Association. Representatives of other bar associations and an array of Muslim and Arab American community and professional organizations also participated. Statement by Decalogue President Curtis Ross: I am Curtis Ross, the President of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers. We are honored to co-sponsor this press conference in support of Civil Rights and the Rule of Law. Part of the Decalogue Constitution provides that we shall “Maintain Vigilance against Public and private practices which are Anti-Social, Discriminatory, Anti-Semitic or Oppressive and Join with Other Groups and Minorities to Protect legal rights and privileges.” That is exactly what we are all doing here today. As Jews, we are particularly mindful of U.S. governmental actions taken against particular minorities. During the 1930s Jews were often rejected for immigration based upon quotas in favor or those from certain countries and also based upon economic hardship issues. Americans in the 1930s were extremely concerned with the Depression and the economic impact of immigrants. We can see parallels with our most recent Presidential election. At the same time, the United States and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt were concerned that the Nazis were sending spies and saboteurs to the U.S. Jews were considered more likely to be spies as the Nazis even though there were no facts to back up this theory. It was not until Secretary of the Treasury Robert Morgenthau, Jr. and his staff pressured President Roosevelt in January of 1944 with proof that the U.S. State Department had delayed even modest measures for rescue and relief, that U.S. policy began to change. At times our immigration laws have excluded all Chinese, almost all Japanese, almost all Asians and Africans. It has only been since the Immigration & Nationality Act of 1965 that all discrimination against immigrants on the basis of national origin that the prior national origin based quota system was abolished under President Lyndon Johnson. It is only through the Rule of Law that Civil Rights will be enforced. Lawyers and Courts must stand up to partisan political interests and movements and each group must support the other whenever someone else’s rights are impaired. See media coverage at More NewsJohn Marshall Law School Responds to anti-Semitic VandalismI’m saddened to share that yesterday afternoon we discovered an anti-Semitic act of vandalism in a library study room. Chief Diversity Officer Troy Riddle and Campus Safety and Security Manager Ali Haleem responded immediately to the scene. After photographing the evidence, the offensive symbol and words were removed immediately. Despite a full-day investigation that included reviewing several days of security-camera tapes, we have not been able to determine who is responsible for this offensive act. I have also learned that on October 6 and 11, 2016, security received separate reports of a small swastika carved into the edge of a desk in room 420 and on the rubber edge of a table on the second-floor student commons. Both incidents were investigated, but the culprits were not identified. We at John Marshall value inclusion. We are committed to providing an environment free from harassment and discrimination. We condemn hate. I personally condemn this act and ask you to join me in ensuring that we remain a community that welcomes individuals regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, or other characteristic. The fact that this despicable act occurred during Diversity Week disheartens me even more. Having participated in many events this week, I have observed our students’ spirit, kindness, and willingness to learn and venture outside their comfort zone. Thank you. These are the acts I want to celebrate. As a community of legal professionals and scholars, we reaffirm our commitment to promote a culture and environment in which ideas may be shared and discussed civilly. And to the person or persons responsible for the vandalism: these acts were cowardly and small-minded, and will only strengthen our resolve to promote diversity, compassion, and open-mindedness. Within every challenge lies opportunity. As a community, let’s take this opportunity to learn more about each other, to unite in the fight against bigotry and prejudice, and to live law in color. Dean Darby Dickerson
Decalogue and the Polish Advocates Society Reject Anti-Semitism"The Polish Advocates Society and the Decalogue Society of Lawyers, representing hundreds of lawyers and judges in and around the Chicagoland region, many of whom have roots in Poland, having become aware of reports of recent anti-Semitic demonstrations in Lodz, Poland related to football, jointly call upon people of good faith, committed to the rule of law, to categorically condemn such behavior. With great pride in our heritage and as proud members of the bar in the United States, we soundly reject racism in all its forms and look to leadership in our communities and in Poland to join in condemning anti-Semitism." |
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