To the Editor:

Thank you so much for the opportunity to express all of the emotions we as Temple Emeth parents have been experiencing this past week.

We view ourselves as our own community, or even a family. With two children in Temple Emeth, I have forged extremely strong relationships with other parents as well as staff. The expression “It takes a village to raise a child” has come out of my mouth many times and the best part is that I knew I had that built in village in Temple Emeth. We truly feel as if our family is being torn apart.

I am fortunate in the fact that one child was graduating and is set to attend Kindergarten next year, and my younger child will be in the nursery and I was able to find her a spot in a high-quality program. I am saddened that my youngest baby will never have the chance to experience Temple Emeth. Temple Emeth was so unique as Sharon Floch was flexible and understanding of every family’s needs. Now parents are literally scrambling for spots in other programs no longer afforded that luxury.

The biggest embarrassment is that this was done so late in the year. Parents are not able to research programs and enroll where their children’s needs will be best met. Empty spots in programs are a rarity in late May. There is new economic hardship as many programs are significantly more expensive. I have experienced scheduling conflicts as plans for my other children were based on Temple Emeth’s hours for next year. Teachers are left unemployed and are seeking new jobs.

The community has been so supportive as many schools are opening new sections and doing everything that they can to accommodate entire classes so late in the game. Early childhood directors were answering their phones and e-mails late Saturday night and through the weekend.

The Temple Emeth board should be embarrassed that they have abandoned their community. They are losing young membership and in the past I have made sure that my family has attended and supported the religious school’s events such as the Purim carnival because we were a part of this special community. While this deal may have been necessary, the timing of it truly feels like a betrayal of the early childhood staff and students.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Babich

Dear Editor,

This past week’s issue featured an article about David Baumser and OMO construction. I’d guess that most readers would take what they read with a grain of salt, assuming that the information was provided by David Baumser himself and may be a bit biased. As someone who has used OMO Construction, I can tell you firsthand that everything in the article was 100% true…and then some!

OMO’s two greatest qualities listed in the article were that they get the job done quickly and within the budget. OMO built a second story on our then one-story home. Construction began just as we were packing out for our summer away in the Catskills and when we got home our home was double the size and ready to move into! Before we began, David Baumser gave us an estimate and when the time came for a more formal proposal, it was spot on with his initial numbers. Not only that, but there were several times throughout the process that we made certain requests. David would help keep us within our budget, advising us against certain choices or how we can accomplish what we want in a more economical way. Other times, when we attempted to skimp, he advised us when that would be penny wise and pound foolish. Miraculously, we stayed completely within our original budget (with a few extra perks too!).

One thing not mentioned in the original article was OMO’s honesty and excellent work ethic. A year after the construction was finished we noticed an issue in our home, which was a result of the construction. Within the week, OMO sent someone to resolve the issue…at no cost! David said in a very matter of fact way, “It should have been done this way originally, so we are not charging you.” If we ever do more construction in the future, we wouldn’t consider looking anywhere other than OMO!

Miriam Stobezki
Bergenfield, NJ

To the Editor:

We are thrilled with the numerous and enthusiastic responses we have received about the opening of Lamdeinu—a new center for Jewish learning in Teaneck, New Jersey. Just to clarify, Lamdeinu will offer some learning opportunities for women only; many other offerings will be open to the entire community. Our exciting summer program will be followed by an expanded and varied course schedule in the fall.

Rachel Friedman
Dean, Lamdeinu

To the Editor:

For years, I have received Drisha catalogues in the mail, hoping I could hop into the city for a weekly shiur. But life is busy. Then there’s the traffic, the GWB, and city parking.  Drisha seems out of reach. So I was thrilled to see that Lamdeinu, a new center for adult learning is opening in Teaneck (front page, May 22, 2014). What’s more, Lamdeinu is the brainchild of Rachel Friedman, long-time associate dean and chair of tanakh studies at Drisha. And I won’t have to pay tolls to get there: Beth Aaron will be hosting the program.

Teaneck is ready for an adult learning program like this. With its diverse offerings, Lamdeinu will provide high-level learning for working adults and stay-at-home parents, as well as retirees. I hope that the community will support this great opportunity for ongoing Torah study. The summer lineup for Lamdeinu classes looks terrific. Sign me up!

Sincerely,

Chana Stiefel
Teaneck, NJ

To the Editor:

I was thrilled to see the beautiful article about Irv Zeidel in the Jewish Link. It was an excellent portrayal of Irv as the extraordinary Zeide, Abbah, spouse and friend that he is. I first met Irv at morning minyan at Beth Aaron when he made the rounds collecting tzedakah. It was a fitting role for him. Anyone can tell from his face and manner that Irv is a ba’al hesed. However, I would like to tell you about another important part of Irv’s life—he is a Teacher (with a capital T). Irv has touched the lives of—literally—hundreds of Jewish children who have special needs and their families.

Irv is an inspiration to all who know him. Recently, he received an invitation to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award from Matan, an organization that educates and empowers Jewish leaders, educators and communities to create accessible learning environments, thereby fulfilling the obligation to include all children in their Jewish educational birthright. They will present Irv with the Lifetime Achievement Award at their upcoming Matan Institute for Educators, honoring him for the considerable contributions he has made as an educator for all Jewish children. Meredith Polsky, Matan’s Director of Training and Advocacy, says; “As an outstanding Jewish educator, Irv embodies so much of what Matan stands for, as we strive to help Jewish communities recognize the value of every individual. As a leader, Matan understands that Irv has gone to great lengths in order to continue to educate Jewish children – and we know that those students are better because of it.”

For over 30 years at Temple Emanuel in Woodcliff Lake, NJ where I am Director of Congregational Education, Irv has been the director and teacher of the CHAI program, a unique service providing one-on-one instruction to those who need it. Completely tailoring his lessons for his students, Irv conveyed his love for and knowledge of Yiddishkeit “al pi darko,” in exactly the appropriate manner for each child. As the child matured, he would include Bar/Bat Mitzvah training, making the entire process both enjoyable and rewarding.

One mother wrote, “I know firsthand what a difference Mr. Zeidel can make in the life of a child and an entire family; my son studied with him since he was 8 years old. Mr. Zeidel helped him build a strong and positive Jewish foundation. Our expectations with respect to his Bar Mitzvah were initially tempered, but Mr. Zeidel assured us that he would be prepared and do an outstanding job—and he did.”

In his d’var Torah, that child concluded by saying; “Now, whenever I think I can’t do something, I will remember this day and know that I can.”

The faculty and I frequently consulted with Irv for his expert recommendations. In the last two years, Irv trained two additional teachers for the CHAI Program, one of whom was his student at Temple Emanuel years ago! Irv’s CHAI Program is supported in part by a grant from the Federation and is open to children who are unaffiliated or are from other synagogues.

Here is a remarkable story about Irv. Two years ago, in June of 2012, he was diagnosed with ALS. Sadly, the symptoms progressed very rapidly. By the time he began to teach that fall, he was in a motorized wheelchair. A family member or friend drove Irv and his aide to Temple Emanuel twice a week to teach from 4 – 6 pm. Over the summer his condition deteriorated rapidly until he had absolutely no movement, yet he returned to teach in the fall. When he met two of his new students, he said; “I have a disease called ALS and can’t move—but I can still talk, so I can still teach.” And teach he did, continuing with his long-term students and, with his gentle sense of humor, his passion for Yiddishkeit and his irresistible personality, endearing a new group of children to him as well. I can very honestly say that even without being able to move a muscle, he is the best teacher I have ever seen.

It is only in the last few months since he became ill with pneumonia and had to have a tracheotomy that Irv has refrained from teaching. His students send him photos and recordings because they are proud of their progress and want to share it with his teacher. He waits anxiously to hear their news after they lead services when they become b’nei mitzvah.

We feel privileged to know Irv and for the great z’chut of having him as Director and Teacher of the CHAI program at Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley for so many years.

Rabbi Shelley Kniaz
Director of Congregational Education
Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley
Woodcliff Lake, NJ