Not many day schools can boast of annual events, aside from the school dinner, that are still relevant after 42 years. The Moriah Library Benefit is one of those events and a highlight of the school calendar.
Hosted by the Moriah Association of Parents, it’s a night when moms get together for a fun night out of socializing, learning and honoring fellow parents.
Held to raise funds for the school library, Moriah librarian Aviva Rosenberg spoke of the importance of “increasing information literacy through books and technology to provide a 21st century education. “ She went on to explain the need to creat both “tech savvy and information savvy students.”
This year, attendees paid tribute to two active Moriah moms who are graduating their last children — Shanna Wolf and Tammy Spielman, of Teaneck and Englewood respectfully.
The 85 attendees were then treated to special guest speaker and Moriah alumnus (1986) Ben Michaelis, PH.D. Dr Michaelis, a clinical psychologist, is author of “Your Next Big Thing: 10 Small Steps to Get Moving and Get Happy.” In his presentation titled Conscious Change, Michaelis took the group through his 5 Ps — presence, purpose, play, process and persistence– as a method to embrace change in our lives. He explained, “ we all experience change but some of us resist or fear change.”
Presence is something many of the group related to immediately. The idea that in today’s society of information overload, our minds are in so many places that we are often absent mentally and emotionally. Michaelis had the group close their eyes for a moment to cultivate a sense of presence.
The room fell silent as the experiment was conducted.
He went on to cover Purpose– how we prioritize our values. One tip shared was to create a statement of purpose about how you want to live those values and update it once or twice a year.
Play was about engaging our imagination to keep our mind stimulated.
Process was about trying new things even when they don’t go as expected.
The final P was Persistence, considering every experience as unfinished.
Michaelis closed by challenging the group to face life changes with confidence and courage.
A 42 year tradition came and went but one thing was clear– everyone would be back next year.
By Marcy Cohen
