Sir Nicholas Winton photographed in 2014. Photograph: David Levene
If our Sages are right in the notion that in each human being there is a “yetzer hatov” (good inclination) and a “yetzer harah” (evil inclination), then in some sense we are always choosing between being like Pharaoh-cold-hearted, self-aggrandizing, intolerant of and even cruel to those with different beliefs, practices and points of view, or like Moses -humble, large-hearted, willing to go to extraordinary lengths to save lives, always engaged in the doing of mitzvot (good deeds). With Passover soon approaching, I find myself pondering these two very different kinds of people and what it is in a person’s DNA or upbringing that makes them choose to be like Pharaoh or like Moses. Why do some people take incredible risks and actions to help those in need, while others seem to only focus on themselves and the attainment of power and control?
One such person who clearly followed in the footsteps of Moses is the hero of the recently released film “ONE LIFE” playing at the Mamaroneck Cinema. In this true story, we learn about the life of British stockbroker, Nicholas Winton, who visits the city of Prague in December, 1938, and sees that the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of Jewish children are endangered as the Nazis prepare to occupy Czechoslovakia. Mr. Winton is determined to rescue as many Jewish children as he can and begins to procure help and support from many people in Prague and in his native London-help in the form of funds, passports, transport, and foster families in England who will care for the children, presumably until the end of the war when they can be returned to their original families. (As we know, the return never happened as there was no one to whom to return.)
Among the individuals who Nicholas Winton inspires to help with the nearly impossible task of saving all these children is his own mother, using her late husband’s connections as a bank manager in England, and her own chutzpa. Of the 15,000 Jewish children sent to concentration camps in Czechoslovakia during World War II, only 200 survived. Nicholas Winton, together with those who helped him on the ground in Prague and in London, managed to save 669 children.
For fifty years after the war, Nicholas Winton did not share what he had done to save the Jewish children from Czechoslovakia. Instead of resting on his laurels, he was consumed with guilt and grief because of all the children he was not able to rescue. In 1988, he finally decided to share his story with the public. It all was revealed on a popular British TV show called “That’s Life”. Unbeknownst to Nicholas Winton, the children he saved so many years before were sitting in the audience-now they were adults who had children and grandchildren. They finally had the opportunity to thank him for all that he had done for them. Today, because of Nicholas Winton’s actions, there are some 6000 souls living on this earth.
With all that is going on these days, with the Israeli/Hamas war, with people in our country deeply divided, inequality, the seeming lack of respect in person to person relations that we see and hear about constantly, let us acknowledge that there is indeed goodness in this world. There are those who are doing loving, compassionate acts every day, even though you may not always hear about it in the news.
As we celebrate Passover this coming week, perhaps we can consider the ways we can all be just a little more like Moses (and Miriam) and not only live an ethical, moral, purposeful life but model that for every person we encounter.
Wishing you all a Zissen Pesach and wonderful, meaningful Seders.
Cantor Rita
