My Memories of Growing Up With Robert Frost

Robert Frost (1874-1963) is the preeminent poet in modern American history, but few know of his affinity for and connection to Judaism, and how it informed his works.

Robert Frost and Cincinnati Rabbi Victor Reichert met in 1939. They discussed religion, poetry, and philosophy. This began a 24-year close friendship that lasted until the end of Frost's life.

Their families enjoyed summer vacations together at Frost's family farm in Ripton, Vermont. Rabbi Reichert even gave sermons at the Methodist Church in Ripton. And Frost delivered a sermon at Reichert’s synagogue in Cincinnati.

Thus Jonathan, the rabbi's young son, developed a personal friendship with Frost, at first through the shared family vacations -- where (among other things) they played tennis together.

Frost sought and took counsel from Rabbi Reichert on interpretations of Torah and other Jewish texts, including before the publication of his 1945 play “A Masque of Reason,” in which Job puts God on trial. It is a comedy whose dialog pretends to be the 43rd chapter of the Book of Job (which actually has 42).

In 1958, when naming the five "Books That Have Meant the Most" to him, Robert Frost's #1 was "The Old Testament." None of his other four were religious texts.

In 1960, Rabbi Reichert was instrumental in awarding Frost an honorary Doctorate at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.

As Jonathan grew up, he and Frost remained in contact, having dinner together and exchanging correspondence. Among other things, Frost sent personal messages to Jonathan when Frost mailed poems to wish holiday season greetings.

Jonathan became a physicist and later a physics professor at the University of Buffalo. In 2013, he donated all his Frost correspondence, manuscripts, and recordings to the university's library.

Scholars say the materials – officially called the Victor E. Reichert Robert Frost Collection -- provide an important, missing link between Frost’s poetry and his relious views, which had been the subject of debate for decades.

At this event, Jonathan Reichert, now 93 years old, will share stories of his vacations and conversations with Frost, and insights into the poet and his works.

Attendance is via Zoom, so you will also have an opportunity to ask Jonathan questions.

Host or Publisher The Adams Street Shul