To the Editor:
In our time we face the future and choices will be forced upon us. Ahead are two paths:
One is the traditional Jewish philosophy that believes all are created in the divine image (however that is defined). It is the source of respect for life and humanity and justice. It is the moral code we have lived by and passed on to other nations. These are the values we seek—even when we do not fully attain them.
The other culture we face is one that seems to attach no value to human life and creative achievement, no regard for the individual, and welcomes death for the sake of an undefined glory and the pursuit of dominance.
Unfortunately, our tradition accustoms us to dwell on our flaws seeking versions of perfection which divide us. This leaves us vulnerable to the violence and verbal attacks of those who would destroy us.
Unless we rethink our divisions we enable the opposing culture to succeed. These thoughts stem from seeing a letter in a Jewish publication from “a supporter of Israel” who was so frustrated by actions or events in Israel that this individual was abandoning support for Israel. Surely an examination of the history and overall contributions of Israel to the world will indicate that it represents our traditional ideals and needs the support of those who believe in them. It must survive the attacks and present danger of those who would destroy Israel and continue that mission over the rest of the world.
Sincerely,
Mishel Greenberg
To the Editor:
I love your paper and I always enjoy anything by Ari Weisbrot. His article this week about high school brought back both painful memories of my own teenage years and much happier memories of my children’s experiences. As always, Mr. Weisbrot captured feelings that I forgot I was feeling. High school can be a great event that enhances your future or it can ruin the best years of your life. Thank you for bringing me back to happy times and reflective times. Mr. Weisbrot’s articles are always the subject of great discussion at our Shabbat table and, once again, he gave voice to an issue that many people ignore. Thank you for always presenting these important issues for discussion.
Harry Reiser
To the Editor:
Thanks SO much for your ‘simply spectacular’ review of The Silver Platter! Daniella Silver and I are thrilled that you are enjoying the recipes. Cook in good health and enjoy. Remember to dab a little chocolate on the tip of your nose so people will think you’ve spent hours cooking up a storm. If you don’t tell, we won’t!
Sincerely,
Norene Gilletz
To the Editor:
As a former teacher and the parent of three graduates of the yeshiva system, I appreciated the piece titled “Another Brick in the Wall” by Ari Weisbrot. I think he could have also identified the general studies teachers and non-rabbi Judaic studies teachers, who are just as dedicated and effective and whose influence can be very powerful on our children. But, putting that aside, teachers do not always get the recognition they deserve for molding their students’ lives and Mr. Weisbrot’s article was an excellent and meaningful way to summarize what so many of us feel about the people influencing our children. Once again, he has given a voice to a topic that few people bother to discuss, but from a perspective with which most people would clearly agree.
Sincerely,
Jill Newman
To the Editor:
For me, as well as many students and staff, every Sunday morning meant JESC, a special needs Jewish program in Bergen County. JESC began years ago when a small group of dedicated parents saw a need for their children and created the program. The program grew and thrived and became a role model for other special needs programs in the metro area. Many non-parents became involved. Over the past many years, Jackie Feigenbaum served as the JESC Board President, until he resigned last year. He handed the reins to new board members.
Every year, there was an annual breakfast to raise funds to provide for the cost of running the program. During the last session right before Pesach, there was a special staff meeting. Never before was there such a meeting in all the 28 years of JESC. We were told that fundraising for JESC had fallen short for many years, and there was no longer the ability to sustain the program and it was closing. There were other concerns that the Board had as well. The dedicated staff took the news quietly, with suggestions and questions, however in the end that was the final decision. This remarkable and unique program that serviced this special group of students each and every Sunday morning to teach and give them a taste of Torah and Jewish culture, and their devoted parents a few hours of respite had come to its end.
Rabbi Schwab approached me almost 10 years ago and asked if I would be interested in teaching an Israeli Dance program at JESC. I said yes immediately. I was more than qualified as I had experience working with special needs students and I had taught literally thousands and thousands of students, through school programs, private classes, camps, Passover Programs, Dance-a-thons and simchas, for all ages from 3–93 and all abilities. I met my JESC students, and I knew this was something different, something wonderful. Each class I taught, I learned and grew. It wasn’t only about Israeli dance, it was about life and being and growing and developing, and all the experiences we shared. There was absolute joy that filled the class every week, unlike any other class I had ever taught. The students were attentive and appreciative, the students were intuitive, the students shared my passion. I had young men choreographing their own dances for the group, and calling me years later about the new dances they had just choreographed on their own.
One student began the class and for months she didn’t dance. She would come to class and listen to the music, but the music did not move her. Each week I would ask her gently and encourage her to dance and see if she would like to join with the others in the class, and each week she responded no. This went on for several months. One day she suddenly began moving with the class in a dance that we had just learned. She knew all the steps, though she hadn’t performed them before. She had learned by observing. She never turned back; she enjoyed dancing and continued through the years becoming a wonderful, passionate dancer. Oftentimes she would tell the new assistants the steps so they could learn the dances and join us. It was a remarkable achievement for her, not only to enjoy dancing but actually be able to give it over for others to learn as well.
Rabbi Schwab enrolled a student who was in a wheelchair into the class with the words, if anyone can make a wheelchair dance it’s Morah Judy. Dance we did. The pleasure the students had dancing was immeasurable. They enjoyed the music, the movement, the rhythm, the unity, the sequence, the challenge. Through the music and dance the students would learn the Alef-Bet, different Yom Tovim, Yom Haatzmaut, Rosh Chodesh and of course Simcha Dancing. They learned warm ups, balancing and stretches as well as posture. Through the years we had many caring assistants, wonderful attentive, dedicated young individuals who added so much to the program. JESC is a program that met the needs of many different students, giving them a weekly taste of Judaism which they would not have otherwise. So much Jewish learning happened within the walls of YNJ each and every Sunday morning, the dance program being just a small part of it. I feel so grateful for having been a part of such a wonderful program. I will miss each and every student and the wonderful staff who devoted so much of their talents to creating this unique program.
Thank you JESC, for teaching me so much through all these years and for giving so much to everyone involved. I am so proud of you.
Judy Davidovics
Editor’s note: The JESC program has been absorbed into the Friendship Circle of Bergen County. Learn more at http://www.bcfriendship.com/ or contact Zeesy Grossbaum at 201-262-7172 or [email protected].
