For plenty of Jews, knowing that someone used to be — or, worse, is — a Nazi is a nonstarter. There is no amount of apologizing that can make up for the past wrongs associated with a political ideology that calls for exterminating the Jewish race.
But at Havre de Grace’s Temple Adas Shalom, redemption means a lot. So much so that when reformed neo-Nazi leader Frank Meeink comes to the temple to speak later this month, the synagogue’s rabbi, Meeka Simerly, will host him at her house.
“Reading his book, that’s the main reason why I trust him that he made this 180-degree turnaround,” she said. “Not only did he become a spokesperson for the ADL for a while, but he discovered his Jewish roots through his mom, and he observes some mitzvot. His honesty in conversation when I talked to him in person really sold me.”
On Nov. 20, Meeink will discuss his book “Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead,” and his quest for redemption. The talk is entitled “The Long Road Home: A Neo-Nazi’s Journey to Jewish Faith,” and will be hosted by Temple Adas Shalom, Harford Chabad and the Harford County Jewish Community.
The talk has been a long time coming for Simerly. “The book is very vivid. It’s very detailed. And some of the details are incredibly jarring. When I got to the end of the book, I said to myself, one day, I have to meet this individual,” she said.
Meeink’s story is unique not just because he has Jewish heritage and is now practicing, but because of his role with the neo-Nazi movement. He was a prominent figure, and his story of hate, prison time and subsequent reconciliation partially inspired Edward Northon’s Academy Award-winning performance in the 1998 film “American History X.”
A mutual contact put Simerly in contact with Meeink, who called her one day and said he would be interested in speaking in Havre de Grace. Immediately, Simerly began to plan the event.
“I knew that my collaborator would be Rabbi Kushi Schusterman from the local Chabad of Harford County, because we offer, sometimes, programs together, and we refer to ourselves as the Jewish community of Harford County,” Simerly said. “We’re the only two Jewish congregations here, and we appreciate one another, we support each other, and whenever we can come together to offer a program for the wider community, we do so.”
Simerly and Schusterman designed an event that would have wide appeal and allow anyone to attend. It is free and open to the public, although some content may not be appropriate for younger audience members. Meeink’s story is a graphic one, and it’s these details that are important to showing how far he has come — and how far anyone else can come, too.
“He is a real mensch … What you see is what you get. At times, he has gotten my jaw to drop,” Simerly said. “The idea that someone can turn around and make such a big difference, not only in his personal life, but he helps lost youth to come back. … He is actively engaged in getting kids off the streets and helping to rehabilitate them.”
An event like this, in today’s climate, is a brave one to host. While Simerly declined to specify what the community is doing to ensure the event goes off smoothly and safely, she did say there will be heightened security and that everyone will be extra vigilant. She asked Meeink if he was worried, especially considering that there are active pockets of neo-Nazi groups and the KKK in the area. His answer was a powerful one.
“He said, ‘I don’t live my life based on fear,’” Simerly said.
On Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. when Meeink visits Havre de Grace, the local Jewish and non-Jewish community will hear a different kind of story. That speech and the accompanying Q&A session, according to Simerly, might be the most important one that the community hears for a while.
“He is someone who truly believes in doing good and expressing remorse,” she said.
