Savenor is a rabbi and executive director of Civic Spirit, a nonpartisan organization that provides training and resources to faith-based schools across the United States.
With the heated political discourse in our country and ongoing conflicts around the globe, I really needed a vacation. Vacations can serve many purposes — relaxation, exploration and reflection — and Panama seemed like a great place to unplug.
Panama had been in our sights since before the pandemic because of its lush rainforests, rich history and, of course, the Panama Canal, a manmade 51-mile waterway connecting the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific. I was not prepared for the awe-inspiring magnitude of the canal, which David McCollough calls in his “The Path Across the Seas” a “vast, unprecedented feat of engineering … a sweeping human drama.” Sailing through the locks is an unforgettable experience that demonstrates humanity’s potential.
My most profound memory from this vacation was not, however, the canal — rather, a conversation I had with a citizen of Panama about their national flag. Divided into four quarters, the flag features three colors: red, white and blue. The red and blue represent the country’s political parties, but the blue star also stands for the purity and honesty of civic life and the red star represents the authority and law to ensure that these values are upheld. And the white space speaks of the yearning for peace to create a national home.
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When I remarked to my new friend how the Panamanian flag conjures associations of the United States flag, he explained that it was intentional. The United States not only played an instrumental role in the republic’s establishment in 1903, but America’s government and commitment to democracy continually serve as inspiration for their country.
Looking at the flag of Panama that day, I was reminded of the words of Ernest Hemingway: "Never write about a place until you're away from it, because that gives you perspective." At a moment when the headlines about polarization frequently cause us to shake our heads with bewilderment, the lofty ideals of our democratic republic can feel unachievable. And yet, this conversation and lesson about a foreign flag was a much-needed reminder of how the rest of the world sees our country. They look at the United States as a beacon of freedom, a land of economic opportunity and a protector of the rule of law.
The feedback from fellows in the Civic Spirit’s Educators Cohort shows that our professional development offerings not only enhance their civic content knowledge and pedagogical skills, but also increase their confidence to work in this vital, yet challenging, field. Thankfully the fellowship’s ongoing training and coaching provides teachers with encouragement and inspiration as they prepare the next generation to participate in and lead our democracy.
This week we celebrated Constitution Day. With the blessing of perspective, we recognize our visionary founding document as the cornerstone of our democracy and can appreciate the vital role our government plays as an example to other nations around the world.
