The Three Rabbis

The Three Rabbis
Summary: "In the mid 1900's three young men arrived in Portland, Oregon to join the thousands of other Jews before them who had come west seeking the freedom of a self-determined life. Though they were strangers to the city - and to each other - they chose to work together, fulfilling their destinies as rabbis - and along the way led and old-world community into the 21st century.

''Through interviews, photos, and personal stories, we learn about historic Old South Portland's Jewish community, Portland post WWII, how Oregonians reacted when anti-Semitism flared, and how the rabbis pulled the community together when President Kennedy was assassinated. We see how three very different men from three branches of Judaism have met the challenges of the women's movement, interfaith marriage, and Israeli/Palestinian relations.

''At the heart of our program are the stories and wisdom of the three rabbis. Individually and as a team they've made extraordinary contributions to Oregon through education and leadership - not just in their own community, but by reaching out to other faiths and the civic community, they have given service to all Oregonians.

''Utilizing the profiles of these three remarkable men as a prism in which to see the evolution of a community with ancient roots in a modern day western city is worthy of Peabody consideration."--2005 Peabody Awards entry form

Corporate Producers: Oregon Public Broadcasting

Broadcast Date: October 27, 2005