TABC’s annual Book Day program was truly outstanding. Leading up to Book Day, the TABC school community read “The Other Wes Moore,” a thought-provoking book about two individuals who shared a common name and background, but whose lives developed in radically divergent directions. The day began with all the morning shiurim watching what can only be called a d’var Torah recorded by U.S. Senator Cory Booker specially for TABC students. Senator Booker intertwined several Torah themes with the various messages of the book. The entire yeshiva then came together to hear an inspirational speech about perseverance from Eric LeGrand, a former Rutgers football star who was paralyzed as a result of a football play.
The day continued with a wide ranging gamut of sessions, each related to one the many themes contained in such a multi-faceted work of literature. In what served as an example of pure integration, both Judaic and secular departments volunteered to present the morning sessions, in addition to outside presenters who included physicians, lawyers, military associates, professors and clinicians. A beautiful thing about Book Day is how it serves as a paradigm for the ideals of Torah U’Madda that TABC subscribes to so passionately. The discussions wove together both Torah sources and ideas from several disciplines of Western culture, each informing and enriching the understanding of the other. The afternoon sessions were on Preventing Abusive Relationships (presented by Project S.A.RA.H.) and Heroin and Opiate Abuse (by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office). Each was eye-opening and started some important conversations.
Finally, the entire yeshiva once again joined together to watch a personal video message from the book’s author, Mr. Wes Moore. Coach Oz, TABC’s beloved basketball coach and close friend of Wes Moore, then addressed the yeshiva before turning the floor over to Mr. Kenny Satterfield, a former NBA player, who drew on his personal story to convey the importance of having aspirations and working hard to achieve them.
The hope of Book Day every year is that the day will plant many ideas in the students’ minds that will continue to percolate in their thoughts and serve as the catalyst for future discussions.
