September 2016 Beachwood Buzz
25
Lelyveld Gives Former
President FDR's
Thoughts, Motivations
Some Consideration
By June Scharf
Franklin Delano
Roosevelt was the only U.S. President to
serve three terms in office, with a fourth
term begun but terminated before its
completion due to his demise. By any
standards, that's quite a mental, physical
and emotional marathon. What was he
thinking? How and why did he hang
on during such a tumultuous period in
history that spanned the Great Depression and World War II? Are the motivations and
considerations knowable of a man whose life and serious ailments were cloaked in
extreme secrecy?
Joseph Lelyveld, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, former executive editor
of The New York Times and son of the late Rabbi Arthur Lelyveld, attempts quite
successfully to explore this psychic terrain in his latest book, His Final Battle, The
Last Months of Franklin Roosevelt (Alfred A. Knopf Publisher, 416 pages, $30). With
stellar reporting and heavy thinking, he brings great sensitivity to his treatment of
the choices FDR made. Weighing Roosevelt's personal struggles with failing health
against the needs of the country at war, along with those of the Democratic Party
caught in an election cycle, Lelyveld illuminates how the President's world was a
vortex of fraught with serious issues and consequences.
Lelyveld, 79, will be appearing in the Beachwood Public Library's meeting room
Thursday, September 8, from 7 8:30 pm, to discuss his book and answer questions about
what he calls "one of the most significant figures in history who's not well understood."
His interest in writing this book emerged from wondering if FDR's story could be told
from the former President's point of view while subtracting authorial judgment, adding
explanation and plugging in several historic events including the Yalta Conference,
Tehran Conference and an upcoming presidential election.
After pitching the idea for the book to his editor three years ago, Lelyveld got the
green light and plunged into research, some of which involved investigating day-to-day
descriptions of FDR's whereabouts, information available at the FDR library in Hyde Park,
New York, conveniently located not far from Lelyveld's home in the Hudson Valley. The
archives also are accessible online.
He reports the challenges associated with delivering on his self-assigned task to
expose the inner, opaque FDR were large but not impenetrable.
"Roosevelt was not self-revealing," Lelyveld explained in a telephone interview. "To the
contrary, he went to great lengths to hide things like his health," something significantly
affected by polio around age 40, resulting in an inability to walk." Additionally, he notes,
there were no journals or minutes from meetings. "Instead, I found diaries (belonging to
other key figures) to figure things out."
Lelyveld admits he began his journey with the book by also pondering what Roosevelt
thought about mortality. What he discovered: "Roosevelt finessed it as best he could, like
everything else. He was a fascinating man." Considering the compromised condition FDR
was in, Lelyveld extended the observation by saying he was "valiant and heroic, without
a lust for power but with ideas about how things should go in this country."
This book tour only includes Boston, Washington D.C., New York and Beachwood. Lelyveld
says that it was his publisher's decision to come here because his books sell well in this area.
Elections 2016:
What Does
Judaism Say about
Gun Control and
Immigration?
On Sunday, September 11 from 6 to 9 pm,
The Jewish Learning Institute will present
Elections 2016: What Does Judaism Say about
Gun Control and Immigration?
Accredited for 3 CLE units, the community
is invited to attend and learn about a Jewish,
non-partisan view of these hot-button 2016
election issues. The event will take place at
25400 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood. Cost is $36/
single and $54/couple. Register now at www.
EnrichingJudaism.com.
November's topic will be How Success Thinks.
Watch for details in next month's Beachwood Buzz.
Fairmount Temple
Programs
Selichot at Fairmount Temple
All are invited to Selichot at Fairmount
Temple with opportunities to prepare for the
High Holy Days on both Friday, September
23, and Saturday, September 24, with artist-
in-residence Noah Aronson. A rising star in
contemporary Jewish music today, Aronson has
released two solo albums and songbooks, and
his music, including "Am I Awake," may be heard
in Jewish communities and camps worldwide.
Friday, September 23 · 6:15 pm
· Shabbat Evening Service with the Fairmount
Temple clergy and special guest Noah Aronson.
Saturday, September 24 · 7 pm
· Selichot Service and concert with the Fairmount
Temple clergy and artist-in-residence Noah
Aronson. Enjoy desserts prior to singing, praying
and beginning to prepare for the High Holy Days.
Women of Fairmount Temple
The following program is free and open to
the community.
September 27 · 1 pm
· Beachwood Police Officer Jackie Schuld will
speak about safety issues that affect us today.
To register, call 216.464.1330 or visit
www.fairmounttemple.org.