Mario Cuomo, New York Governor for three terms, wrote:

“Look at the earliest monotheistic religion, Judaism. Two of Judaism’s basic principles, as I understand it, are tzedakkah and tikkun olam. Tzedakkah is the obligation of righteousness and common sense that binds all human beings to treat one another charitably and with respect and dignity.

“The second principle, tikkun olam, says that, having accepted the notion that we should treat one another with respect and dignity, we come together as human beings in comity and cooperation to repair and improve the world around.…

“Well, that is also the essence of Christianity, founded by a Jew and built on precisely that principle. Jesus’ words, approximately, were, Love one another as you love yourself, for the love of me. And I am Truth. And the truth is, God made the world but did not complete it, and you are to be collaborators in creation.

“Would it not be nice to find a way simply to announce at once to the whole world that before we argue about the things that we differ on we concentrate on the two things we believe in? We are supposed to love one another, and we are supposed to work together to clean up this mess we are in, because that is the mission that was left to us. I cannot think of any better guidance.”

In One Electorate Under God edited by E. J. Dionne, Jr., Brookings Press