By Janis Siegel, JTNews Correspondent
After 47 years of defending and promoting human rights, religious freedom and inter-group relations, Washington State Supreme Court Justice Charles Z. Smith retired on Jan. 1.
Anyone who knows Smith, the first minority and African-American justice to sit on the Court, knows this 75-year-old inspiration has just hit his stride.
Temple B’nai Torah in Bellevue will honor Smith at the “Martin Luther King, Jr. Shabbat Service Honoring Justice Charles Z. Smith,” to be held at on Friday, Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. The service is co-sponsored by the American Jewish Committee.
This is a good time to honor him, in his retirement,” said Rabbi James Mirel of Temple B’nai Torah. “When we have our annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Shabbat service we always have someone speak from the African-American community. Justice Smith is a very decent human being who is sensitive to people on the periphery and who has been there for the downtrodden that have not had a voice. He’s done such a great service over the years.”
Smith, who was recruited by Robert Kennedy to serve in his justice department in 1961, was appointed by President Clinton to serve on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.
He turned down a federal judgeship offered to him by President Nixon.
Between 1977 and 1985, Smith served on the National Inter-religious Task Force on Soviet Jewry that was formed to monitor compliance with the Helsinki Accords. At the time, he was the president of the American Baptist Churches and saw his role in the group as one of a self-described “religionist” who sought redress for the plight of Jews in, what was then, a totalitarian state.
“We were paving the way to get Jews out of the old Soviet Union,” said Smith. “It was something I had a deep interest in. We met with the Vatican, Amnesty International and other groups. We did make a difference. Ultimately, the way was paved for Jews to leave the Soviet Union.”
Smith had to carve out his own trailblazing history of success.
Born in Lakeland, Fla. in 1927, Smith was the son of a Cuban immigrant father, a mechanic, and an African-American mother who was the granddaughter of slaves and worked as a cook.
Because of his excellent academic record, a prominent local president of a black college noticed Smith and enrolled him. Through this connection, Smith met many great African-American leaders of that day, including the Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr.
Smith earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Temple University in 1952, and his law degree from the University of Washington School of Law in 1955.
Smith taught at the UW law school from 1973 to 1983, and since then has been Professor of Law–Emeritus at the school. In 1999, Smith was included in the UW Alumni Magazine’s top 100 most fascinating, famous and influential graduates of the 20th century.
He was appointed to the Washington Supreme Court in 1988 by then-Gov. Booth Gardener. He served as chairperson of the Supreme Court Minority and Justice Task Force and presently serves as the co-chairperson of the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission. Smith admits his heart is in the Northwest.
“I’m a chauvinist when it comes to Seattle,” he said . “I think Seattle is the best place in the world. I think we have developed a climate of trust between religious groups because of the personal leadership of individuals. Rabbi Levine meant so much to me and I absolutely adore Rabbi Mirel. To me, he represents all the things about religious understanding and cooperation of religious faiths.”
Although Smith is a devout and lifelong Baptist, he is most gratified and encouraged when religions come together and rise to the challenge of resolving tough issues.
“I do not stop to think whether we use the same prayer books,” said Smith. “If it is an issue of human rights it should be an issue of all faiths. It is a joy to me to see a gathering of all religious groups.”
Over the years, Smith has been recognized by dozens of local community organizations. In 2001, he received the “Vanguard Award” from King County Washington Women’s Lawyers and the “Faces of Courage Award” from the Northwest Coalition For Human Dignity.
In 2002, he was awarded the “Champion of Diversity Award” from the King County Bar Foundation and was selected as one of 10 Washington State Biography Community Heroes by the A&E Network.
“[Smith’s] principles, his strength, his dedication — he has never strayed from the idea of justice and equity. He has left a legacy that is more than just legal decisions. He has always been passionate,” said Eric Ward, executive director of the Northwest Coalition For Human Dignity.
Even with his retirement, Smith’s schedule is jam-packed and his calendar for future projects and speaking engagements is filling up quickly.
“Beginning Jan. 1, I will be an entirely different person,” said Smith late last year.
“I will regain my freedom of speech and speak out on things. I don’t have the obligation to participate in something out of my role as a public official. I will continue all of my volunteer activities. The only difference is I’m not going to court. I intend to write a book. Maybe I will, maybe I won’t. But I’m learning to say no.”
As Smith moves into this next phase of his career and his life, he remains philosophical and grounded in his faith.
“The solution to problems of the world is the activities of persons of goodwill,” said Smith, “and we most likely will find persons of goodwill in religious communities. In religious groups we need good leaders. If we have effective leadership in religious communities then that brings together people of goodwill. I am a very spiritual person. Having a spiritual anchor helps us all.”
The Martin Luther King Jr. Shabbat Service Honoring Justice Charles Z. Smith at Temple B’nai Torah is open to everyone in the community.
For more information contact Julie Epstein at the American Jewish Committee at 206-622-6315, Ext.3.