Stardate 20010923.0618 (On Screen): Isaac Stern has died of old age. A Jewish immigrant from Russia as a child, he was one of the finest violinists of the 20th century, with a very long and distinguished career. In many ways, he epitomizes what makes America great; an immigrant and member of a minority group, he surmounted all that by talent and hard work, and was embraced by the nation with open arms. In many parts of the world, the fact that he was Jewish would have closed doors -- or lead to his death. But in America his talent was enough. A man of personal courage and integrity, his life's work was simply to make others happy with his performances. Any nation which nurtures such people is worth defending.
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