Schechter Chai-lights is a monthly newsletter for parents of alumni, alumni, current families, and friends of Schechter connecting you to all things SSLI, the latest news, events and more.
We hope you will share your thoughts and stories with us.
|
|
March 18, 2021 / 5 Nisan 5781 |
|
בכל דור ודור חיב אדם לראות את עצמו כאלו הוא יצא ממצרים.
In every generation, we should see ourselves as if we were taken out of Egypt.
This central commandment of Passover has many important lessons. The first is about the importance of generational continuity. Our story as a people is told through direct connections of parents and grandparents to children and grandchildren. This is the literal meaning of masorah, transmission. In this issue of Chai-Lights, we focus our attention on the important role of grandparents to our school’s continuity and the broader continuity of our people.
There is another important message to the directive of b’chol dor vador, namely empathy. We are told time and time again in our texts that we were slaves in Egypt and that our identity will always be associated with that history. We learn therefore to have compassion for the stranger and the widow and the orphan in our midst, seeing ourselves as if we were experiencing their present reality. All manner of gemilut chesed, deeds of kindness and charity, stem from this uniquely Jewish perspective. But it’s not all about kindness; it’s also about equity. Our history of slavery and our continued experience with anti-Semitism predisposes and I daresay requires us to view equity and inclusion as central to our social mission in the world as well.
I was therefore heartened to learn a couple of months ago that the Schechter School of Long Island was selected by the UJA-Federation of NY to take part in a small cohort of day schools that are exploring racial equity, diversity, and broader inclusion in our community. This work has only just begun, but already it has helped us to look both within and without to determine whether we are fully realizing our communal values as expressed in our mission statement: “we celebrate the individuality and diversity within the SSLI family, and foster an inclusive and caring community. “
In the months to come, we will have many opportunities to examine these issues and to report back to our community on this important initiative.
In the meantime, let me wish you all a chag kasher v’sameach, a happy and healthy holiday.
Dr. Scott Sokol, Head of School
|
|
From Our Grandparents
As grandparents, we are blessed to be able to have unique and extraordinary relationships with our grandchildren. Perhaps because they can sense that this time is so special and out of the ordinary, these children regardless of age are particularly receptive to sharing holidays such as Passover with us. Pre-pandemic Passover was considered by many as the greatest gathering of the Jewish year. During this window, it is possible to share one’s knowledge, memories, and experiences, strengthening your grandchild’s understanding of Jewish traditions and the importance of family.
Like parents, grandparents teach by example. As the holiday approaches we have the opportunity to bind our grandchildren to their Jewish heritage by preparing and coming together for a memorable seder – whether you’re fortunate enough to be together in person or coming together virtually. This is our chance to provide our children and grandchildren with a practical and moral inheritance.
Because Passover is so connected to the themes of Jewish continuity, history, and tradition we thought it appropriate this month to reach out to current Schechter grandparents, asking them to share their customs and recollections of Passover. We want to thank these special “grands” for providing us with a glimpse of their past, their struggles and faith, and what it means to them to have grandchildren who are part of our SSLI community.
Chag Pesach Sameach- with best wishes for a healthy and Zissen Pesach,
Eileen Olan Bohrer
Director of Institutional Advancement
|
|
As proud grandparents, we have gotten to know Schechter well over the past eight years. We enthusiastically attend performances and programs that our grandchildren participate in, kvelling with nachas as they perform and sing in Hebrew. It has given us such joy to be able to be hands-on helpers at Grandparents Day and Model Seders or speaking with Jordan’s class on Veterans Day, giving us a further glimpse into the thought and energy that go into making each of these programs so special. Having the chance to see our grandchildren thrive in their school environment has been a gift we are so thankful to receive. There is so much camaraderie among the Schechter parents, and Schechter has been an amazing support system for our daughter and her family.
What an amazing opportunity they have ahead of them! Schechter is providing these children not only with a phenomenal education, but also lessons in menschkeit and friendship. Jordan, now 12, was able to lead our Pesach seder two years ago (pre-Covid), alongside Zayde. Joshua, 9, could answer so many questions about the story of Passover and the different Rabbis, and Juliette, 7, knew her Pesach symbols as well as the true meaning of Passover. Of course by now, they know so much more. The children shine, and their knowledge and confidence to lead the seder is creating new customs and traditions for all of us.
For 25 years, when our daughters were younger, we shared the company of three close friends and their families at seder. In the beginning, every year after the Purim megillah reading, we used to discuss and decide what foods each of us was going to prepare for the meals. After a few years, no discussions were necessary. Each mother made their ‘specialties’, although the kids never knew who made what. We all loved Sue’s famous green (parsley) matzah balls, Sherry’s delicious chopped liver, and Jackie’s best fruit platters.
We used to schlepp highchairs for the babies, and brought our elderly parents to seder. Happily, the families multiplied in number, as some of the children married and had children of their own. We always had lively seders filled with songs, stories, and fabulous food. As some of the children became more observant we stopped traveling to each other's homes.
A new tradition was born. All of our children and grandchildren ‘move in’ with us for the chag. One of our family traditions has always been cooking and baking while listening to music and songs by groups like Safam, Maccabeats, and Six13. We make gallons of chicken soup with mountains of matzah balls, meatballs, turkey, roast chickens and briskets, and kugels, salads and desserts by the dozen. Of course, Pesach wouldn’t be Pesach without Andrea’s Tish-Pishti! Everyone came to expect it!
We have our own “Stein Family Haggadah”, and tell the Passover Story using props, plays, and songs, created mostly by our five grandchildren. Andrea and Sam’s children have shared some new traditions they’ve learned at Schechter, many of which we have incorporated into our seders. Passover bingo and pop quizzes about our Judaic history keeps everyone on their toes, while tiny rubber frogs take their places on the table. And Zayde always seems to hide pieces of Afikomen in the strangest places! The children squeal with delight as they discover where it is hidden and come to collect their rewards.
In the morning there is the joy of having all the grown children and their families together in the house. We always have matzah brei, matzah meal latkes, and left over charoset for breakfast accompanied by the sound of children’s laughter echoing throughout the house.
In the past, we have had upwards of 40+ people at our seders, and would have had more if we had the room. But as we get older, we find the most enjoyable seders are when it is “just us”— just us, kina hora, means all 13 of us!
Although our aging bodies say it is time to “pass the torch” to our children and grandchildren, our minds and hearts do not ever want these traditions to end.
From our family to yours, we wish you a zissen Pesach. Chag sameach!
Les and Ellyn Stein, Schechter grandparents of Jordan, Joshua and Juliette B.
|
|
Passover is upon us again. Once again we read the Hagaddah at the Seder table and we tell our children to remember that we Jews were enslaved, tortured, and murdered until finally, G-d took us out of Egypt.
Do we really need to do this every year? Are we incapable of remembering without these yearly reminders?
Every year when I was young our Seder night similarly began with reading the Hagaddah and then a discussion of the enslavement, torture, and mass murder of Jews. But my parents were Holocaust survivors who spoke of their very personal experiences in Auschwitz and Dachau. Our Passover stories were not of an ancient and distant biblical nature. Many in the world view the Passover story as mythical, at best metaphorical. A baby in a basket becomes a prince? Ten plagues in a row? Staffs turned into snakes? Imagine how the story of Passover would be treated if not for a yearly holiday- perhaps historical trivia at best. Am I exaggerating? I think not. There is proof:
The world wants to forget the Holocaust which occurred a mere 80 years ago. So yes, definitely, we must remember and we must not allow the world to forget. We have, at the very least, this obligation to the six million.
When General Eisenhower and his troops liberated a concentration camp, he said:
“Get it all on record now - get the films - get the witnesses -because somewhere down the road of history some bastard will get up and say that this never happened.”
Sadly, General Eisenhower was right. Today there are myriad Holocaust deniers. And it falls to us to remember and speak out because our silence or worse, indifference, allows their growth and success.
We must be thankful that we live at a time that Israel exists to protect the Jews of the world. We must be thankful that we live in a country that allows us freedom. But we must never forget our fellow Jews that were not as fortunate as us throughout our history. The history of their misfortune has repeated itself all too often and sometimes when least expected.
It defies logic that Jews have been repeatedly persecuted and murdered while the rest of the world stood by. What harm have we done to society? How is it that we deserve this persecution? We Jews represent merely 0.2% of the world’s population yet we have won an amazing 20% of all the Nobel prizes. Jews invented nuclear power, the laser, vaccines for cholera, bubonic plague and polio, pacemakers and defibrillators, satellite communications and believe it or not, Google. How much more advanced would our world be if those 6 million Jews and therefore tens of millions of their children were NOT murdered?
Tears would come to my eyes when I saw my children in Yeshiva; even more so when I see my grandchildren. I imagine the joy of my parents and my entire lost family watching them engaged in Jewish learning. And so, at Passover, we must continue to remember and tell our children the stories of our peoples’ experiences through slavery and liberation from Egypt and from many other places throughout our history. And we also must remember that at Sinai we were given a path to live by with the obligation to bring light into the darkness of the world. We must never forget.
Zachary Gerut, M.D., Schechter grandparent of Olivia L.
|
|
Grandma’s Passover
As a child, I recall the best holiday as Passover. The house was cleaned as much as possible, shining and almost sterile. My mom and I worked together – then she shopped and shopped for all the ingredients she needed. We brought in package after package and began to formulate the feast!
And as I became the next homemaker the baton was passed to me. But mom and I cooked together in my house and my grandma became the “general”. What a team! Stacey as a child joined us. We had such fun! Stacey learned to make the best chicken soup and still does. Oh! And the matzoh balls! Gillian now does the matzoh balls with great success. The brisket is a treasure with a secret ingredient.
We set the table so beautifully – fine china, flowers, and stemware. A Haggadah at each seat. So many place settings for family and friends. My father was the leader, everyone had to take a turn reading – even the youngest children. The candles glowed, kippahs on heads, a cup for Elijah sat sparkling near the Seder plate which was placed next to my dad so he could proudly display each item before patiently “passing the ammunition” down the long table with blessing after blessing. Children’s eyes glowed warmly hoping for a sip of the sweet wine. Trying to sneak a pickle before the meal began. Gefilte fish, grated horseradish, chopped liver, and eggs for passing. So fun and so beautiful- so many beautiful memories.
After the afikomen is broken and shown to the guests at the Seder table proudly, it’s time for grandpa to wash his hands – and the children quickly scamper to select the best hiding place for the afikomen. Dollars are offered and the children keep asking for a higher ransom, learning the art of haggling early, knowing we couldn’t end Passover without the afikomen. Songs were well sung – my favorite being “Which my father bought for two zuzim” – each person trying to sing each stanza in one breath!
A most important time of a child’s life is the remembrance of going to school and learning – and this includes the learning about religious life shared by family. Schechter has been the rock, the foundation for my granddaughter Gillian Leeds. Her prayer time and Jewish studies have molded her into the most gentle, kind, loving, and thoughtful young woman. A dear gentleman who was her mom’s patient, Bill Ungar, had sent his children and grandchildren to Schechter. He was so fond of Stacey he insisted on meeting Gillian and with his help (and insistence!) she too became a Schechter Blessing. We thank him and his family for making this happen and Schechter for wrapping it’s loving, nurturing blanket around her for the past 13 years for her education, and keeping her focused on her path as a Jew.
On Pesach we ask for many blessings from Hashem and I always include a silent prayer during Pesach for sweet things to be bestowed upon Gillian, and always a fresh start. These prayers couldn’t be more appropriate this year, as she prepares to go off to college.
Prayers asking for next year together in Israel. It was the best and so very sweet.
And I wish you all a Zissen Pesach! May it never end!
Arlyne Leeds, Schechter grandparent of Gillian L.
|
|
Passover is an important Jewish holiday where we remember and celebrate the exodus of the Jews from Egypt. As a Jewish nation, we tell the story to our children and remind them of the bitterness the Jews experienced while in Egypt along with the elation and hope they felt once they were freed. We teach our children about each food specifically chosen for the Seder that symbolizes the hardships the Jews experienced while in Egypt. As an Iranian Jew living in Iran, we experienced many of the same hardships that the Jews faced in Egypt.
While the Shah was in the reign of our country, things were good, we weren’t persecuted so much. Once the Shah left and the Theocracy took over more specifically Ayatollah Khomeini, everything changed and things became very hard for the Jews. Days of war and persecution led us to leave the country and start brand new here, in America. As parents, we couldn’t stand the thought of having our children be put into situations of hardship and oppression because of religion.
Coming to America and starting new was not easy but when looking back one notices the great gift that was given to us and our children to come here and start over with freedom. Just as the Jews in Egypt were freed, my family was also freed. Looking back, I reflect on all of the choices I made in life, especially regarding my children. I, time and time again cannot be thankful enough for the blessing of being part of the Schechter community. Growing up in a country where it was hard to study Hebrew and Judaism, I now celebrate the fact that I was able to send my son to a school where our religion was taught with such pride and joy. Now to see my grandchildren also being a piece of that puzzle fills my heart with joy. Each week we sit at the Shabbat table and we are able to discuss the Parsha of the week, watching my grandkids beam with joy and confidently tell the story of the Parsha fills my heart with happiness.
At the Passover Seder, my grandchildren ask questions regarding Iran and the experiences I had growing up in a country where being a Jew was looked down upon. Passover to this day in Iran is not quite as easy as here in America. The unleavened bread we traditionally eat, Matza is not easily attainable. Jews must plan months in advance preparing foods that are specific for Passover. Here in America, the supermarkets are full of kosher for Passover items and we are blessed to be able to celebrate with pride and joy. Despite the hardships we had to face to prepare and celebrate Passover, all the Jews in Iran would observe and commemorate this important holiday and make sure everything was done to perfection with much joy. As part of the preparation, we would buy new clothes and dishes and clean the house as best as possible. No matter what the situation was, our families would always make sure that everything was done and clean. Here in America, we are so fortunate to have everything so easily accessible to celebrate and observe Passover. As each of my grandkids recites the “four questions” or Ma Nishtana, I sit and recall the hardships faced by my family and feel joy in my heart that my children and now my grandchildren have the privilege to be in such an amazing community where Judaism is a source of pride and the freedom of the Jews is celebrated.
Sion Hourizadeh, Schechter grandparent of Yael, Yonatan and Nathan P.
|
|
The Passover Seder is so important in our family that, this year, Arthur and I have rented a tent with roll-up walls, windows, and heat for safety and comfort. Once again, we are preparing and looking forward to our children’s and grandchildren’s exuberant participation. Our grandchildren’s radiant faces are apparent at every Jewish holiday, but there is something very special about Pesach – the Chag designed specifically for children. We have been hosting and leading our family’s Seders for over thirty years, and we owe it to our children - and our children’s children - to keep that excitement alive however possible, even in the middle of a pandemic.
Passover has played a significant role in my family’s homes for generations. My grandparents’ experiences – especially the lessons they learned from their escape from Ukraine after a devasting pogrom - inspired them to do whatever it took to bring the family together each year for a Passover Seder. Like many of you who have similar family stories of surviving the persecution of anti-Semitism, our ancestors’ courage to travel to a new land for safety and opportunity are lessons that continue to teach and inspire. The torch eventually passed to my parents, and every year, with ever-increasing numbers of relatives, we gathered together in a large room to celebrate our freedom.
I’ll never forget the years of the Sederim at my parents’ home when our children attended our Schechter School. L’Dor v’Dor, the beautiful Hebrew phrase signifying Jewish continuity from one generation to another, played out right there at our Seder table. Year after year, the Seder joyfully marked our children’s journey through another year of wise and thoughtful teachings learned at Schechter. And now, we are incredibly grateful that our hopes and dreams for our grandchildren’s Jewish education are being fulfilled right here at SSLI and the Leffell School in Westchester. For me, as I carefully take out the Passover dishes and pots used by my two grandmothers and the cherished family recipes, I also retrieve our children’s Haggadot, Afikomen envelopes, and Matzah cover creations from their Schechter years. I am vividly aware that I am also including the precious artifacts that my own grandchildren are now creating each year.
How will we make this year’s Seder for our family meaningful outdoors under a canopy or in a tent? The struggles of quarantine and isolation this past year have made each of us stronger and more resilient - lessons that are already part of the journey from slavery to freedom. Although it might feel like Pesach in the Sukkah, we plan to tell the Passover story in words that each of our grandchildren will understand and relate our pandemic hardships to the struggles of our ancestors. We will reflect on their new understanding of the message of freedom and will design the Seder for all our grandchildren - ages two to fourteen – to make the experience understandable and meaningful for each of them. After all, the most important commandment of the holiday involves our obligation to tell the Passover story to our children in ways that they understand, whether it’s singing the popular early childhood songs, dramatizing the story with costumed characters, or having important discussions.
My grandparents were optimistic about a happy future, appreciating the simple joys and pleasures of age-old teachings. For us in this time, looking forward to celebrations and a happy return from the pandemic takes optimism, fortitude, and determination. And as Passover approaches again, I am grateful for the retelling of our family stories that highlight strength and courage. I continually remind myself to find the good in every situation and to make it the best it can be. Now, more than ever, the story of Passover speaks to our history of enslavement, our journey to freedom, and the enduring nature of our family and our People. I feel like we have begun to walk through the parted sea and can see the other shore. On that shore, having overcome the viral plague that threatens us, we will sing a song to G-d, just like our ancestors did. And next year, as we gather together with our loved ones, indoors, we will continue to remember these past two years and will celebrate that we made it through. Ken y’hi Ratzon. May it be so.
As an SSLI alumni parent, grateful grandparent, and Board member, thank you for the honor of writing this article for Chai-Lights. Arthur and the entire Perler family join me in wishing our Schechter family health, safety, strength, and contentment. May your Passover holiday be filled with meaning, joy, hope, and renewal for each of you and your beautiful families.
Chag Pesach Sameach – A Zissen Pesach
Vicki Perler, Schechter Grandparent of Valeria P. and SSLI Board member
|
|
I grew up in a small city that most New Yorkers and Long Islanders consider being located in upstate New York. Not even close to true!! There was a reasonable-sized Jewish community in the city and its environs, big enough. to support three synagogues and a JCC. Yet the opportunity for a broad range of Jewish activities was limited. I'm not sure at age 11 or so, how bothered by that I was, but my parents clearly wanted more for me and my younger brothers. They found one such likely experience in Camp Ramah. 1960 was the first year of Camp Ramah. It was quite difficult to secure a spot in the few existing Ramah camps, so off I went. Mt parents' foresight and my instant love affair with Ramah heavily influenced the direction of my life and the life I hoped for in the future. My Jewish ties became more and more firm and lasting. When I had a family of my own, it was imperative that they be offered a Hebrew Day School education. (Note: a day school eventually came to the city where I grew up though too late for me and my siblings). My three children all attended day schools from pre-K through 12th grade. (I also have three stepchildren who entered my life after their schooling). Happily, they all now live committed Jewish lives and send their collective seven children to Schechter schools: Long Island, Westchester, and Dallas. For me, it has been a beautiful continuation and commitment to traditions we all hold dear. I cherish their deep love and the joy they constantly show for their Jewish lives. And I adore their happiness, their thriving and their connection. to the wonderful and nurturing Schechter world. I feel enormous confidence that their schools are giving them the education and guidance to see them on their journeys through life.
The sense of community and the desire to reach out and those in need which is strong in our Jewish tradition and in the Schechter philosophy bring me to a different string of memories. The city where I grew up was home to a large college. My parents always welcomed college students join us for Shabbat and Holiday celebrations and meals. Over the years, we cultivated several close and fun relationships that were particularly exhilarating for me as I often got to hang out with the college crowd who seemed so super cool to a younger me. Then several years later I was the recipient of that kind of community generosity. After college, I lived for several years in Dublin, Ireland. I went there knowing no one, only having the name of one Jewish family. That family became an invaluable entre fro me to into life abroad as I was immediately embraced by them, and by a few other families in the small, tight knit Jewish community. As Pesach approaches, I reminisce about the grand seders we had in Ireland with our Dublin friends, who also embraced any of our relatives who traveled to spend time with us. And, as my parents had done, these families also included other international. students temporarily living in Dublin. We should all share our diverse family traditions, enlivening seders for all.
When my parents visited for Pesach, they came laden with kosher for Pesach products, some totally unknown in Ireland where options were extremely limited and basic. Even back in 1968-72 when choices were limited in the United States, they far exceed the Irish market. When questioned in the airport about what they were bringing into the country, the answer was simply "religious items". In very Catholic. Ireland that was all one needed to say. You can only imagine the pleasure and delight it was for our friends to sample these goodies from abroad. Huge smiles and bright eyes!!! I'm still in contact with some members of one of my Irish angel families these many years later. We often share memories of those Pesach moments and much more.
As we approach the second consecutive year without the typical large seder my husband and I have hosted for so many years, I recall with extra heartwarming thoughts so many marvelous Pesach experiences. I feel the simultaneous sadness that we currently need to refrain from big get togethers and the joy of wonderful memories. I can only hope Pesach 2022 will bring the return of the kind of seders so many if us miss which will surely be celebrated with enormous zest, enthusiasm and love. AND three cheers for Solomon Schechter schools everywhere.
Jill Saravay, Schechter grandparent of Samson, Ezra, and Zamir M.
|
|
UPCOMING APRIL ISSUE SCHECHTER CHAI-LIGHTS
In our school’s Mission Statement one of our Core Values is Ahavat Yisrael – We foster a love and commitment to the State, language and People of Israel as central to Jewish identity and continuity.
With so many “Yom” days to be marked in April, next months issue will highlight how Schechter LI teaches, lives and embraces Israel and Zionism.
I particularly enjoyed Anne Lanski’s description of how to approach Israel Education, “A true relationship with Israel isn’t one casual date: it’s an all-embracing roller-coaster, a perpetual romance. Visiting Israel, and even more living there, is a total entry into a gripping twenty-first century souk of people, fragrances, sounds, ideas, accents, beliefs, and garb.”
If you are an alumnus who is native born or first-generation Israeli, or have lived, studied or worked in Israel for an extended period, please contact Eileen Bohrer at ebohrer@schechterli.org and share your story with our community.
|
|
Dear Schechter Community,
In March last year, many of us were overwhelmed by the pandemic and the thought of spending Passover without close family and friends. In an effort to bring the Schechter LI community together, we created an Ashkephardic cookbook. Because of your participation, we had more than 100 yummy recipes.
The cookbook contains beloved family recipes and innovative Kosher cuisine that will make your holiday savory and festive. Some of the recipes submitted have an updated and global interpretation of traditional recipes, while others feel like they stepped out of your grandparents' kitchen. The recipes are representative of many Jewish communities and there are heartwarming reflections of Passover memories and customs.
We hope you will find the SSLI cookbook inspiring and versatile. It is our pleasure to share it with you again.
Wishing you blessings of good health, peace, and happiness as you gather at Passover and always.
The Development Team
|
|
CHAI Club- Monthly Giving at SSLI
Honor family or friends in time for Passover
At the Schechter School of Long Island, one of our goals is to continue providing the highest quality education possible for all students. By becoming a Schechter Long Island Monthly Giving Club Contributor, you can help us make Jewish education accessible for everyone and ensure that our students succeed in school and thrive in life.
Advancing our mission as a Jewish day school with a dual curriculum of excellence requires constant investments in our educational platforms, faculty development, and infrastructure. We rely on our generous supporters to help us make these required investments. With your monthly gift you will join a dedicated group of Schechter supporters who understand the importance of providing the tools and opportunities necessary to educate our students at the highest levels and to prepare them for a lifetime of advancement and Jewish community involvement.
With each donation of $18 or more we will send a tribute card to those you’d like to honor.
|
|
For more information or other opportunities please contact
Eileen Olan Bohrer, Director of Institutional Advancement
by calling 516.935.1441 ext. 1131 or
by emailing ebohrer@schechterli.org.
Jewish education is the key to the survival of our community. Your monthly gift will help sustain our school for the future and thereby help ensure that our community benefits from the positive contributions of our students and alumni. Of course, you can always change your monthly amount or modify your preferred method of payment by calling our Development Office.
On behalf of all the students we serve, thank you for making an ongoing investment in their future. Your gift provides an extra level of certainty as we expand existing innovative educational programs and develop new ones for every child, every classroom, every day.
|
|
Exactly a year ago, Dr. Sokol addressed the cast and crew of our drama club after the opening night of Newsies. This coronavirus had made its way to New York and as a result, the opening night would also be our closing night. Little did anyone know that night that we would spend the remainder of the school year online. When we returned to school in the fall we had to figure out ways to produce our shows in a pandemic-safe fashion - but as the saying goes, "The show must go on" and so this past November we presented The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead which only required one actor at a time on stage. Our spring musical was going to be trickier to finagle with singing and a slightly larger cast but luckily we discovered a new show entitled The Theory of Relativity. In the show, a group of scientists arrives from the future to examine the nature of human relationships before technology has completely devoured mankind. Through a series of songs and inquiries, they learn the importance of human attachments and love.
Once again we were thrilled to present the show at the Long Island Children's Museum. Three performances (March 11, 13&14) were held in a socially distanced fashion meaning that the actors performed 15-20 feet away from the audience, the audience chairs were spaced 6 feet away from one another and we performed for only a 25% seating capacity. Nine students and a two-stage crew presented a beautiful show that touched everyone's heart. The students were quite determined that COVID-19 was not going to take drama club away from them.
-Joan Cohen, Music and Drama Director
|
|
KESHER CLUB PURIM PHONATHON
Armed with enthusiasm, high hopes and a new understanding of how assistance dollars work to benefit our community, the Kesher Club gave up participating in a host of Purim activities and instead spent several hours making calls and soliciting donations.
It was the Club’s idea to run a Purim Phonathon that would provide donations for the SSLI Tuition Scholarship Fund. Dressed in medical costumes they resuscitated our ongoing development efforts.
We are so proud of this group of bright, dedicated young women and so grateful for their efforts.
Special thanks to Faculty Advisor Laury Kassell and Shoshana B., Rachel S., Arielle S., Maya R., Gillian L., Danielle F., Arielle R., Ashley T., TaliaB., Paris L., Taylor R., Julia B., and Alana C.
|
|
|
|
Mazal Tov to Adeena Fisch (SSLI '13) and Brian Fox who were married on Sunday, March 7, 2021 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Proud parents are Caryn & Daniel Fisch and Renee & Jonathan Fox.
|
|
Mazal Tov to Niaomi (Eisenstadt) and Alexander (SSLI '03) Steinberg on the birth of their son
Winston Maccabee.
Proud grandparents are Drs. Ellen and Jay Steinberg.
|
|
This months tributes:
In Honor/ in Memory
|
|
If you would like to honor a person's memory or mark a celebration with a contribution to Schechter LI, you may make an online donation, or send your donation to the Development Office. The family will be notified of your contribution.
|
|
To discuss making a donation to Schechter LI, please email Eileen Bohrer, Director of Institutional Advancement to ebohrer@schechterli.org or call 516.935.1441 ext.1131.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
