Elizabeth, NJ–The Jewish Educational Center, saddened by the tragic and untimely passing earlier this Jewish year of Mrs. Fern Goldstein, a former teacher and finance professional in the school, made the effort recently to memorialize her. Mrs. Vivi Singfer, a 1st grade teacher in the Yeshiva of Elizabeth elementary division, reminded students that “bentsching” (blessings after a meal) was something that was dear to Goldstein’s heart. Thus, the “Morah Fern Goldstein Bentsching Initiative” was born.

Through this program, the 1st grade morot rededicated themselves to teaching the children how to bentsch fluently, accurately, and with kavanah (concentration).

Mrs. Singfer, along with her husband Dr. Steven Singfer, who is also JEC’s president of its Board of Trustees, generously endowed special bentschers that were embossed with the dedication.

First graders throughout the school have already begun to use these special bentschers as they learn the entire Birkat Hamazon over the course of the school year.

By Adina Abramov