Proximity breeds empathy.
When protests—both peaceful and violent—broke out across our nation following the death of African American George Floyd, we invited Rabbi Steve Leder and Bishop Kenneth Ulmer to Today. The two lead “sister” congregations in Los Angeles and have been friends for many years. During our conversation, Bishop Ulmer referenced a beautiful quote that one of his friends often shares: “Proximity breeds empathy.” That rang so true to me. The closer we are to someone else’s daily experience, the more we understand their perspective and they, ours. The bishop, who’s African American, said that while he and the rabbi don’t always agree, their long-term friendship provides a high level of respect and caring. In fact, the bishop told Rabbi Leder that while he may not have known it, his was the very first call he received when the violent protests began. In the middle of a very unsettling night, Rabbi Leder was making sure his old friend was all right.