Louis D. Brandeis: “People’s Lawyer” Becomes Pre-eminent Supreme Court Judge

Many judges inspired me during my thirty-six years of law practice.  For example, I worked with Paul Garrity, alav ha shalom, in a legal services office in Cambridge. He went on to become the first judge of the Boston Housing Court and then a judge of the Superior Court. He left a lasting legacy of improvements in two vital areas.

The Boston Housing Authority was the landlord of 67 housing projects and managed them very poorly, harming the residents forced to live there.  Judge Garrity greatly improved their lives of residents  by ordering the Authority into receivership and overseeing improvements there.

Judge Garrity later presided over a case involving Boston Harbor. You may recall a picture of Paul in his robes standing at the water’s edge and labeled “Sludge Judge.” The harbor was shockingly polluted. Paul’s rulings forced the creation of the Water Resources Authority and prevented 43 Boston-area communities from spewing raw sewage into the harbor, sparking a cleanup that has benefited everyone in the area.

The judge who most inspired me, though, was a judge I never met. He was Louis Brandeis.

The Rabbi Who Made Coca Cola Kosher

Pesach is just 20 days away. Some of us are already deeply involved in planning seders and even beginning to stockpile food and drink that is kosher for Passover. Certainly the supermarket aisles in many communities are brimming with matzah and macaroons.

Today I want us to celebrate the significant accomplishment of a rabbi whose name you might not know. But you know what he did, even if you don’t know he’s the one who did it.

I am referring to Rabbi Tuvia Geffen, zichrono livrakha, may his memory be a blessing.  We are all grateful to Rabbi Geffen, as I will explain. And believe me, it does relate to Pesach.

Guides to Life

 “Thanksgiving is that very special holiday when we take a break from our hectic everyday lives to spend quality time with our loved ones, rediscovering all the reasons we don't actually live with them.”

That is the beginning of a classic humor piece by Dave Barry. Sadly, it also expresses a reality that we encounter too often: the challenge of getting along in a family, and particularly an extended family.

For many of us, we look ahead to the gathering at Thanksgiving very happily. We enjoy the company of our family and friends. We have a great time when the day arrives. We learn about the changes in each others’ lives. We sympathize with difficulties and share in the joy of good news. We eat a full and delicious meal together. We look forward to repeating the experience next year.

For others of us, though, the holiday is not so terrific. Perhaps we have lost a family member since last year. Or one of our sons or daughters has chosen to be with the in-laws again this year, leaving an empty place in our hearts even if we arrange the table so we don’t show an empty seat where are son or daughter should be. And maybe Uncle Louie gets into that argument with Cousin Harry again, as they do every year: Uncle Louie loves the Tea Party and Cousin Harry agrees with all of the Occupy protests. Each year their voices rise as they try once again to convince each other while the rest of us try to bring peace. We end the holiday exhausted and wonder whether we really have to do this again next year.

The essence of our question is this: how can we live our lives in both a moral and satisfying way, even if our families may sometimes disappoint us?