Their deeds and values speak for themselves and require no commentary
Neither Barak Obama nor Jimmy Carter is greatly beloved by American Orthodox Jewry, but, putting aside their political views, their post-presidential behavior offers some illuminating insights.
When Obama left the presidency, he remained in the Washington area, bought a million-dollar mansion, published his memoirs, traveled, lectured, gave interviews with national media, hobnobbed with the rich and famous, and improved his golf game. Just recently, he upgraded his housing needs by purchasing a $12 million estate in Martha’s Vineyard containing a mansion with seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms on spacious grounds and lovely landscaped gardens.
When Carter left the presidency, he returned to his roots and his humble home, a cottage with three bedrooms and two baths in the tiny town of Plains, Georgia. He worked on his memoirs, helped develop the Carter Library and Center in Atlanta, involved himself in Habitat for America, with whom, hammer in hand, he literally helped build houses for the poor, and continued to teach Bible every Sunday in his little church in Plains.
Two famous men, two approaches to living. Their deeds and values speak for themselves and require no commentary. Some might envy Obama’s flashy new lifestyle, and wish they had the means to emulate it; others might envy Carter’s simple, Spartan ways and wish they had the will to emulate that.
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