On Wednesday, February 12th, Ma’ayanot hosted its second annual Book Day, an event where all Ma’ayanot students and faculty read the same book and then participate in a day of interdisciplinary programming aimed at exploring issues and topics related to that book. This year’s book, The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore, is a memoir that documents the upbringing of two men with the same name whose lives diverge into opposing stories of enormous success and lifetime imprisonment. The main themes that emerge from the book, and were therefore topics of the numerous sessions throughout the day, include privilege, choice, disadvantage, responsibility, freedom and social justice, all topics that are connected to Ma’ayanot’s Jewish values and ethics-based curriculum.
The keynote address was delivered by Laura Schroff, author of An Invisible Thread. In her book Ms. Schroff describes how, through one spontaneous act of kindness, she came to know and love a homeless child named Maurice. In her presentation to the students, Schroff described how the beautiful relationship that she and Maurice forged over many years enormously benefitted both of them; he, by learning how to dream and to want more for his future, and she, by being given the chance to love and nurture a child when she had none of her own. Throughout her presentation, Schroff encouraged the students to both appreciate the blessings they’ve been given and to strive to share those blessings with individuals more unfortunate than themselves. Students were especially excited to personally meet and interact with Ms. Schroff at the book signing that followed her presentation.
Students also enjoyed two small-group discussion sessions during which they chose from numerous sessions being offered by both outside guests and Ma’ayanot faculty members. Guest who ran sessions included Dr. Rivka Schwartz, Assistant Principal at SAR high school, who explored complex questions relating to privilege and perspective, including whether Modern Orthodox teens have more opportunities than their peers in other communities; Ms. Ilana Levin, a lawyer and a Ma’ayanot alumna, who spoke on the fairness of mandatory sentencing laws; Cheryl Falls, Director of Pediatric Research at Hackensack Medical Center and Pastor at a church in East Rutherford, who shared her experiences working to fight poverty; and Mr. Avi Katz, entrepreneur (and husband of Ma’ayanot math teacher Becky Katz), who spoke about how finding one’s passion is critical to finding success.
Teacher sessions were incredibly varied and reflected the diverse areas of interest and expertise of the Ma’ayanot faculty. For example, Government teacher Chani Rotenberg spoke on “Separate But Not Equal: How Money and Race Divide Communities”; Criminal Law teacher Pam Ennis debated “Can a Child be a Criminal? A Look at the Juvenile Justice System”; guidance counselor Dr. Rayzel Yaish explored “Grit and the Other Wes Moore”; English teacher Samantha Kur pondered “Sticks and Stones: The Power of Racist Language”; Jewish History teacher and practicing attorney Mel Kapustin shared her experiences representing impoverished men and women in Newark, NJ; English teacher Enid Goldberg discussed how memories come alive through the creative writing process; and history teacher Alan Deaett shared experiences from when he served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
In addition to formal sessions, a number of Ma’ayanot teachers participated in a “Choices Panel,” where they shared some of the choices they have made that have had the biggest impact on their lives. A main point of the panel was to demonstrate to the students that they do not always have to take the path of least resistance or do only what is expected, but that they have the ability to shape their destinies by making deliberate choices throughout life’s journey.
The day ended with students learning about five different nonprofit organizations that assist people in need and being asked to vote for their favorite one. Once the vote is tallied and a winner is determined, students will organize a school-wide chesed initiative to help the chosen organization.
By Pam Ennis
