Thank you for your enlightening story of Ben Marcus’ remarkable contribution to Orthodox

Jewish daily life at Brown University (“BCHA Alum Ben Marcus Brings Daily Minyan to Brown University,” June 15, 2023).

Certainly, Ben’s parents’ commitment to Jewish education, his strong foundational education at BCHA—as emphasized—along with support of the Beit Chaverim Synagogue in Westport and President Christina Paxson’s policy of encouraging religious tolerance and religious observance have all contributed.

What is left out of the above equation is the influence of Rabbi Greg Wall, spiritual leader of

Beit Chaverim, who has played a strong role in Ben’s study and practice of Judaism.

During the height of the pandemic, Rabbi Wall often struggled to have a daily minyan. He encouraged Ben to attend the minyan as often as possible before heading off for the 30- minute commute to BCHA. What is more, Rabbi Greg relied on Ben to be his Torah reader for the Monday and Thursday services, which Ben served with much zeal and expertise.

When Ben spent his gap year in Jerusalem, Rabbi Greg and Ben participated in a weekly one-hour phone chavruta on WhatsApp. When Rabbi Greg flew to Israel to visit Ben, they studied together at Ben’s yeshiva for a week. After Ben returned to the States, they continued their chavruta and are looking forward to completing Masechet Makkot during the coming months—all from one hour a week.

RJ Schwartz

Stamford