Jewish Post, Indianapolis, Marion County, 29 September 1967 — Page 22

Friday, September 29, 1967

What Some Rabbis Won t Do To . . .

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. (P-Q) — At 28, Robert Schectman is far from the stereotype rabbi and, certainly, even further away from the stereotype racing car operator. Rabbi Schectman is assistant rabbi at the Beth El Temple in the city’s Forest Park section and is a veteran of eight drag races in his “Heavenly Hauler.” The city rabbi has channeled his religious training and philosophy and his interst in car and youth into becoming a racing car driver, perhaps the only racing rabbi in the country. Speeding down a quarter mile distance in his suped-up 1966 Mustang, the rabbi has won trophies his last two times out, accelerating at speeds ranging from zero at start to 100 mph in less than 14 seconds. At the Connecticut Dragway in Colchester, Conn, and the Lebanon Valley Dragway in Lebanon, N.Y., the rabbi has topped his opponents. Rabbi Schectman’s interest in cars stems back to his younger days. “First, I used to polish them. Later, I made minor repairs. Now, I race them,” he said at an interview. The rabbi, who is single, is a Beaumont, Texas native, spent many years as a youth in Phoenix, Arizona, and lived in South Bend, Indiana, and Los Angeles. His father, Rabbi Harry Schectman is spiritual leader in Kingston, N.Y. The elder Schectman is one of the nation's only rabbis who attended Notre Dame University. “I used to cheer for the Irish all the time,” recalled the son. “I still get a thrill out of them winning.” AT BETH EL, HIS main duties are working with teenagers. Through racing, he has been able to gain their respect, even those who have drifted away from the synagogue, away from Jewish life. . , Even the rabbi’s choice of car is purposeful. “I was thinking of the image the teen-agers would get from this car. Teen-agers get certain impressions by the car one drives,” the rabbi said. The rabbi said when some of the boys saw the car, they were excited. Even the girls showed elation. “By racing, I have been able to show these teenagers that a religious person is a real person in terms of things that are important to him. “To be religious doesn't mean that one must withdraw. I have been able to influence them by the image I have created for them. What I say to them is getting across because it is coming from a real person.” . RABBI SCHECTMAN WAS A graduate from Yeshiva University in New York and studied for his rabbinate at Jewish Theological Seminary of America, in New York. Ordained in 1965, he came into this city the same year. . , . . . His interest in racing cars began budding in high school, later in college. About a year ago, Rabbi Schectman developed a keener interest in drag racing. He bought the Mustang and decided to make it go faster than originally intended. The rabbi’s pit crew is composed of two Longmeadow brothers, both in his confirmation class, and a city youth. The Solomon twins — Larry and David, 15, have been to every race, just as Peter Ford, 17, a senior at Technical High School, has been faithfl * Ford, a Catholic, has made quite an impression on the two Jewish boys. Whenever, the rabbi races on Sunday, the crew must leave early. Peter arises earlier than usual to attend Mass. SCHECTMAN IS CONVINCED there is a real connection between his racing and his religion. “They are compatible,” he insists. “The Jewish Law directs man to enjoy life and to express an interest in many things and it also teaches us to develop skills to

improve mankind,” said Schectman. “Using the knowledge to overcome obstacles is in line of one’s religious training. To be able to use the power developed in the car is a way of asserting mastery of nature.” Rabbi Schectman says man is not supposed to be a slave of nature, but he is to assert control over nature. “So you see, there is more than the thrill of speed involved in my racing. There is an accomplishment of having made natural forces do what I, man, want.” RABBI SCHECTMAN HAS no fear about speeding down a marked distance. Unlike the oval race track where danger lurks on some of the turns, drag racing is a sport whereby two cars accelerate down a straightaway. “This is a safer spot than sking and I have tried both.” he said. The “Heavenly Hauler” has been worked on repeatedly, and then some. There have been changes in the carbureter system, the cam shaft, the transmission and other components, all primarily to make the car go faster. “We are improving the car daily so that it will be more competitive and in a class where it may be a real challenge to the better racing cars,” the rabbi said. The rabbi loves racing, but admits he has a long way to go before reaching the stage where he can enter more than routine competition. “WHILE IT IS ONLY A thought,” the rabbi will say, “I would like to go as far as I can, maybe state or national competition.” The rabbi revealed that he will ev<jitually compete for money, but concedes “not until I think my skills are good enough.” His ultimate aim, in a few years, maybe, will be the nationals at Indianapolis. “I don’t see why it isn’t possible.” Racing in the nationals requires a sponsor. The rabbi isn’t seeking a sponsor “at this stage in my career, but neither would I turn him down if he showed up.” Rabbi Schectman also admits that he has a long way to go before becoming a top-notch driver. He has learned much in his last two races. “I certainly was a better driver than those whom I went against in the last two races.” WHILE THE RABBI IS proud of his new hobby, he doesn’t broadcast that he is a racing driver. When he registers for a race, he does sign in as Rabbi Robert Schectman. “But, I make a point of never saying anything else. I am just a driver like the other drivers.” The rabbi says racing for him is an “outlet” from the normal tensions. It is a sport in which he becomes completely absorbed. Rabbi Schectman chose the rabbinate over any other profession because Judaism is “close to my heart and meaningful.” He wanted other people to feel the way he does about being a Jew. "I knew the way to go about it was to become a rabbi.” Rabbi Schectman’s father showed little surprise when told by his son that he races. “He did say that he didn’t believe it necessary for me to take additional risks. BUT SAID THE RABBI, there are no more risks on the drag strip than there are driving a car on the highway. “In fact, I have come much closer to injury while driving in traffic.” In the beginning, the rabbi drove his car around town. People would challenge him in a race. “But, my answer to them was ‘Sir, come dowm to die drag strip and I’ll race you!’ ” Schectman says he will race anyone but not on the street. “The kids know there is a strong temptation to race in the street, but they have learned it takes maturity not to do it. “The kids think that those who drag on the street are just plain chicken. “About these kids, I don’t need to worry anymore.”

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Rabbi Schectman And His Vehicle

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