An Ode to Jewish Fathers
“Hanukkah Harry”
Elected in 2016, California State Senator Henry Stern represents The Golden State’s 27th Senate District, which spans Los Angeles to Ventura. His father, Daniel Stern, is best known for playing the role of Marv, one of the burglars in the first two “Home Alone” films, as well as serving as the voice of an adult Kevin Arnold in “The Wonder Years.” Today, he lives on a farm in Ventura County, where he lovingly grows citrus and creates beautiful bronze sculptures.
A proud Jewish legislator who is known for championing community and environmental resilience, Senator Stern began our interview by praising his late father-in-law, Joshua Kaufman, whom I also honor in this week’s column (see below). “My dad will be honored he made the cut alongside a giant such as Joshua,” said Stern. “My dad revered Joshua. Whenever ‘Home Alone’ would be on, he [Joshua] would always comment admiringly, as a real-life plumber, about my dad’s plumbing truck in the movie. In fact my dad still has Joshua’s plumbing truck on the farm!”
Jewish Journal: At age 21, you joined your father for a USO tour in Iraq. What did you see, and how did that experience impact your decision to enter politics?
Henry Stern: You might think it’s comedy — but service is really what’s in our blood. His father Leonard Stern (z”l) worked for the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. Lenny rose up the ranks from the son of an immigrant truck driver in Philadelphia from B’nai Brith to the U.S. Army all the way to Kennedy’s Department of Justice. So when my dad and I were protesting the Iraq War when I was in college, it was only natural that we decided while marching around the streets of New York, that we should also put our feet in the shoes of those who serve. And to thank them. Even if that war didn’t make sense. It’s that same spirit that feeds my work in the Senate now, where I represent a huge range of political views — chasing justice, but incessantly looking for common ground where there is seemingly none.
JJ: What has your father’s humanity and low-key lifestyle, one that inspires him to pursue his true passions and live his own way, taught you about what is truly important in life?
HS: Low-key, yes, but diligent. Don’t be fooled by his farm mystique: my dad works his tail off. The man has lists upon lists. He is the most efficient and self-directed person I have ever met. And I’ve met presidents, governors, mayors, and CEOs. So you might think the lesson I learned was to take it easy. And don’t sweat the small stuff. Quite the opposite. Sweat the small stuff. Details matter. Creativity matters.
JJ: Please share a moment of Jewish connection between you and your father that holds special meaning for you.
HS: Hanukkah Harry. This somewhat mythical figure my dad introduced me to as a little kid, would show up at our house every Hanukkah, apparently on a magic carpet pulled by golden retrievers. He would usually leave behind a half-empty bottle of tequila, some words of wisdom in a handwritten letter, and a wild tzedakah project. One year, fruit trees appeared in our backyard that we had to haul to a park nearby. Another year, a wild goose chase eventually led us to turn on a ceiling fan stacked with one dollar bills — with that pile of money we went to the toy store to buy toys for kids who didn’t have any.
JJ: Finally, as a child, were you amused or frightened to have seen your father suffer one blow after another in “Home Alone” films? He was great!
HS: Every kid has those moments of being embarrassed by their dad. But not every kid gets to watch his dad embarrass himself in kids’ living rooms across the world. I will admit though, it still cracks me up watching him fall down the stairs.
FULL ARTICLE: https://jewishjournal.com/commentary/columnist/382030/an-ode-to-jewish-…