Doug, these people invented pastrami. Of course, they must be admired !
On a more serious note, when I was studying Environmental Management in the University of London (batch 1965)… my dorm was owned by a very loving Polish Jewish couple (The Schwartzes). They took care of me very well and I have many fond memories with them. On Eid day, they both took me out to dinner because I was away from my family. Mr. Schwartz often took me out to see local gun shops in London, during my free time. Mrs. Schwartz bought me my life’s first cheese burger from Wimpy in 1965 (which is even more heartwarming when you consider that cheese burgers aren’t Kosher since Jewish food laws prohibit the mixing of meat with milk).
Sometimes I sound like a very cranky old man when I say this, but I really do miss the good old days of my youth. As time progresses and the world is becoming more “Modern”, religious intolerance & conflict is only increasing rather than decreasing. The best that one can do on a personal level, is to promote religious harmony and camaraderie amongst our fellow man by leading through example.
P.S: The Quran in Islam actually considers Moses (the Jewish Prophet) to be one of our Prophets, as well.