MY TURN: Federal judge embraces a sense of profound civility

With apologies to Shakespeare, it’s time to ask the question, “Civility, civility, wherefore art thou, civility?”

It certainly wasn’t present at the State of the Union address, where certain Republican members of Congress engaged in a shameful display of anger and showboating that was cringe-worthy at best and reflects a segment of the GOP who preach hate and are bent on destroying our democratic institutions.

Sadly, such childish behavior has become the defining quality of the MAGA movement, which prefers to create political spectacles rather than engage in constructive attempts at problem-solving.

Be that as it may, those who stand for nothing but themselves appear in marked contrast to a federal jurist whose name has become synonymous with the concepts of civility and dignity.

His name, of course, is Bernard Friedman, who recently announced plans to retire later this year after a distinguished career of 42 years on the bench.

“Yes, I decided to start enjoying the next phase of my life and leave this one while I’m still on top of my game,” wrote Friedman in an e-mail confirming his intention to retire. “I’m not going to go ceremonially until September 23 – my 80th birthday.”

A member of the federal bench since 1988, Friedman served as chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan from 2004-09. A Detroit native, he graduated from the former Detroit College of Law and served as an assistant prosecutor in Wayne County before spending 12 years in private practice. He was a 48th District Court judge prior to his appointment to the federal bench.

Throughout his career, Friedman has been mindful of the importance of his military service, where he was a member of the U.S. Army JAG Corps.

“It has given me a deep appreciation for the role of the military in ensuring civilian safety, especially as it pertains to Israel and the Middle East,” Friedman said. “When you see firsthand the devastating effects of war, you really appreciate the sacrifices of those in armed service and the risks they take to protect us.”

For Friedman, the point has been driven home repeatedly each time he visits Israel, where he has made various trips over the past decade as a show of solidarity for those impacted by the continued
turbulence in the Jewish homeland.

“For me, it is always a profound experience to visit Israel, especially in the wake of conflict where so many lives were lost and so many were injured and left homeless,” said Friedman, who has made more than a dozen trips to the Middle East since 1965.

Emblematic of his lifelong commitment to the public good, Friedman and his wife, Rozanne, were honored in 2016 at the Annual Anniversary Dinner for the Holocaust Memorial Center in Farmington Hills, earning praise for their “dedication to our shared ideals of standing up for equality and fighting against oppression.”

Eight years earlier, the local chapter of the Federal Bar Association cemented Friedman’s stature even further, naming its annual civility award in his honor along with his former federal colleague, the late U.S. District Judge Julian Cook Jr.

Fittingly, the award has become one of the most coveted honors that the FBA presents each year, and figures to grow in importance as the future of civility becomes a subject of debate in some political quarters.

For now, those who question the concept would be wise to look to Judge Friedman as a paragon of virtue in that regard, helping set the standard for how to treat others with the dignity and respect they deserve.