December 26, 2001
| I did not expect the experience of carrying the
Torch to be as powerful as it was. But as the shuttle bus began moving
up Broadway dropping off my fellow torchbearers every 4 blocks as
it went, I began to feel really excited by what I was about to do.
I think it was the idea that this flame, which would pass to my personal
torch for my 2/10 of a mile run (walk in my case) had such history
attached to it. The flame had actually been lit by the sun in Athens
and transported by plane to Atlanta (a city with a lot of Geffen family
significance) and then began its journey to Salt Lake City via 46
states and 11,500 Torchbearers. My nomination had resulted in my being chosen from 100,000's of people. I was very honored.When the bus finally turned onto 125th Street I was shaking. Stepping off to the cheering of so many of you was amazing. And then the flame approached, lit up my beautiful torch (which I now possess as a permanent momento) and I turned to walk the long block in front of the Apollo Theatre (where most of the great African-American performers of the last 80+ years got their starts) on "Main Street" Harlem, USA. Walking this historic path with this big flame in my right hand was intense. My prosthetic leg is in the process of being replaced with a better fitting model and therefore my walk was even more hesitant than normal. But the focus allowed for a heightened thrill (and a lot longer "moment in the sun" than any other 'runner'. For me to be the center of attention is, of course, very uncomfortable (just joking!). With the motorcycles on either side protecting me from unknown intrusions, the crowd screaming and the TV cameraman focusing on my every move …I was very honored The day before I had thought about who should come along with me on this historic journey and how to bring them along. The rules stated that I could not wear anything personal, other than my sneakers…and they supplied no pockets in any piece of the uniform supplied in which to place things. But it was to be cold that morning and I put out a skiing vest (with pockets!) to go underneath the official windbreaker. In it I could place pictures of some of the important people in my life: I choose a picture of my children, Jonah, Daniel, and Nessa together with my nephews and Niece, Ari, Oren, Ben, and Ellyanna; a wedding picture of Susie and I, a picture of my in-laws, Mollie and Gerry; a representation of the of The Abraham Joshua Heschel School community (with the meaning of Rabbi Heschel's influence on me being there, of course); a copy of an autographed picture of Dr. Martin Luther king, jr., Mickey Shur and me taken in 1965 (this in recognition of the special honor given to me in carrying the flame across the center of Harlem), and my original USY membership card from 1963 (when I was its International President) in honor of USY's 50th Anniversary.Thanks to all who came out so early on so cold a morning… your cheers and good wishes were the greatest treat! |
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