The freedom Jews have experienced in America, says curator Josh Perelman, "also makes possible the ultimate choice, which is not to be Jewish."

"One day a year we make a journey in the company of the whole community of Israel—all of us together, each of us alone."

Heschel is widely considered to be one of the greatest American religious figures of the last century - a rabbi, theologian, social activist and mystic admired by Christians as well as Jews. He would have been 101 years old this month.

Read Bob Abernethy's full interview with William Sloane Coffin.