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Rabbi's Corner

Is Religion a “Dirty” Word?

BY RABBI GARY EZRA OREN Imagine the feeling of truly
I grew up in a house where polite folk
didn’t bring up religion or politics at the understanding that a great
dinner table. If the data from some of the
polls put out in the last few years are cor- miracle just occurred. You Jordan Schnitzer and father, Harold, z"l.
rect, then it looks like a lot of people grew just took a breath. Clean Harsch renamed
up in homes similar to mine.
In the last few years, the Pew Research water is readily available Schnitzer Properties
Center has released studies about religion
in America in general and a few studies on from the tap. You have a Harsch Investment Properties rebranded
the opinions of Jews in America and in Is- as Schnitzer Properties Jan. 3, 2022.
rael. According to these studies, more than chance to make someone Under the leadership of company founder
60% of Americans say that religion is either smile today. Harold Schnitzer, z”l, and his son, Jordan
a “bad thing” or “makes no real difference Schnitzer, the company has been a trusted
in everyday life.” For American Jews, less around them all the time. He shared that name in commercial real estate for more
than 50% report that religion is “important” he knew lots of people who were obser- than 70 years.
and less than 20% say “very important.” In vant and not very religious and of course “We’ve always been honored that our
Israel, less than 2% of secular Jews say that the opposite. He taught that it is this sense company name is based on my father’s first
religion is “very important.” of amazement, wonder and gratitude that and last name,” says Jordan, the company’s
When folks are asked to play a word as- drives the best parts of Jewish life. He en- president. Yet he adds that while many in
sociation game with the word religion, six couraged his audience to reclaim the word the Portland community knew Harsch was
of the top 10 responses are negative: war, religion. To understand and know that life the Harold Schnitzer family, the company
degradation, corruption, humiliation, blind isn’t rooted only in rules, and that mindful- now operates in six states and has 4,000
faith and unwelcoming. If these are the ly experiencing daily miracles is essential tenants, “and for them, the word Harsch
words folks associate with religion, then it to living a deeply meaningful Jewish life. was not a very friendly name.”
is little wonder why the word is sometimes Imagine the feeling of truly understand- “Schnitzer Properties honors the past as
called “dirty.” ing that a great miracle just occurred. You we continue to grow. Looking forward, it
And yet, Jews overwhelmingly claim they just took a breath. Your child or grand- also helps tie in the fact we’re a company
are proud to be Jewish and that being Jew- child just called you for help. Clean water that gives back into our communities,” says
ish matters to them. is readily available from the tap. You have Jordan of the name change that honors the
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel asked a chance to make someone smile today. legacy of giving connected to the Schnitzer
American Jews to reclaim the word reli- You speak and I can understand you – cra- family name.
gion, and he thought it of vital importance. zy! And of course, we could make this list The Schnitzer name has long been synon-
Feeling proud is great. Knowing it matters go on and on … ymous with philanthropy in the arts, health,
is wonderful. Rabbi Heschel taught that I wonder what the polls would look like Jewish and educational communities. In
religion is the spark that drives Jewish life. if we thought of religion like this. I bet it 2021, the family’s foundations, the compa-
Toward the end of his life, Rabbi Heschel would cease to be a “dirty” word. ny and bequests from Arlene Schnitzer, z”l,
would travel the country and speak at local contributed a total of $17,880,000 to some
synagogues and Jewish community cen- Rabbi Gary 200 nonprofits. That included $1,077,653
ters. He would start his lecture by calmly Ezra Oren is the from the Schnitzer Family Fund at the Ore-
saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, a great senior rabbi of gon Jewish Community Foundation.
miracle has just occurred.” And then, he Congregation In addition to the financial donations,
would wait. He wouldn’t say another word Shaarie Torah, company employees also engage in hands-
and instead just gaze at his audience until a Conservative on tzedakah. On Jan. 13, Jordan and about
most everyone was uncomfortable. Next, synagogue a dozen employees engaged in what he
he would say, “you just took a breath” or in Northwest calls “one of the most meaningful things
“the sun just set.” Portland. He we’ve done.” The Schnitzer group packed
In his talk, Rabbi Heschel would go on to and his wife, 700 25-pound food boxes at the Gresham
claim that observant people follow rules, Sharone, have Station shopping center they own and then
and “religious” people see the miracles three children. handed out the food to needy families.
“When you hand those boxes out and you
see the people’s eyes … (you realize) they’re
Rabbi's Corner human beings just like us,” says Jordan. “It’s
often easy to forget how lucky we are.”
The announcement of the rebranding
The Jewish Review offers space for the community's rabbis to share notes, “It’s a new name for our company,
their thoughts on the week's parsha or current events. Rabbis are invit- but a familiar one for the community. One
ed to schedule a date to submit a 500- to 600-word piece. To schedule a with deep roots, a legacy of giving and a
column, email editor@jewishportland.org. powerful promise for the future.”
schnitzerproperties.com
Jewish Review Jan. 19, 2022 11