I NOTEBOOK I Introducing A Truly Unique Diamond Necklace That's Very Becoming. It Becomes This... It Becomes This... It Becomes This... A Soviet Immigrant Writes To a Friend Editor's note: The follow- ing is the second in a series of letters written by Helen Elterman, a 15-year-old re- cent immigrant, to a friend in the Soviet Union. Cipora Cohen of the Jewish Welfare Federation provid- ed the report. Dear Natalie, I was so excited to receive your letter and hear how well you did on your eighth grade exams. We both know how critical those tests are for your future. It seems as though not much has changed there. You still had to spend two weeks Helen Elterman of your summer vacation working at school. In rived, we had to live with my America, you also find aunt and uncle. So when teenagers working during the friends of my parents came summer, but they get paid. It and were without a place to is hard for the people here to live, my parents invited them understand that the Soviet and their daughter to stay government requires all high with us in our two-bedroom school students to clean and apartment. I don't have to tell repair the school during the you it was a crowded and hec- summer. tic month, but we were hap- You asked me about my py to help them. school and my friends here. To It also helped us. With tell you the truth, on my first newcomers around, we were day I felt like a first grader forced to change our roles and again — frightened and teach them. I took their confused. daughter, one year younger School is so different here. than me, to school, introduc- I had a choice of the courses ed her to my friends and I wanted to take, and I have showed her around the different teachers and neighborhood. It made me classmates in each class. more aware of my own ac- Three of the 15 Soviet complishments here. students in my school are in I think I am beginning to the 10th grade with me. All understand what being a Jew the foreign students take really means. My family and English-as-a-second-language I just observed our first Rosh class together. Hashanah at temple. I'm not I find the mixture of na- sure how to describe the feel- tionalities in my school ing I had inside. It was a com- (Berkley High) very in- bination of pride — to see so teresting. Imagine sitting in many Jews together in one a classroom filled with place, and it was a feeling of Soviets, Koreans, Israelis and inspiration — to belong to Arabs. It is truly an education those people. in itself. We were staying with my Watching each other go cousins so we attended ser- through the acculturation vices with them at Temple process is helpful. With the Israel, which gives a free one- others, I find myself becoming year membershp to Soviet im- more comfortable with migrants. Since I am 15, I Americans and their society. went to the adult services. It Although because of the was an amazing experience. I language I lean more toward was given my own prayer my Soviet friends, I have book to read while the cantor, made some American friends his voice so powerful, yet so as well. We study and do sweet, said each word. homework together and play In Russia, we fought for the baseball and go to the movies freedom to pray. Now, I know for fun. how important that freedom I want to get a part-time job is. Some day, I hope you will to help my parents financial- also know what religion real- ly. Here, there are a lot of op- ly means. portunities for teenagers to I wish you and your family find work with decent pay. a very happy and healthy new With the increasing year. number of immigrants, there is a long waiting list for Sincerely, apartments. When we first ar- Helen - The Miner's Den introduces a truly unique and beautiful diarriond necklace. One that you can wear a number of different ways because you can actually change it into a number of different styles. Of course, there is one thing that can't be changed: It's only available at The Miner's Den. 3 2 716 The Miner's Den Franklin Rd., Franklin Village • 851-2334 WE'RE FIGHTING FOR YOUR LIFE Lincoln Shopping Center American Heart Association for all your Halloween Needs WE. TAKE EXCEPTION TO WHAT YOUR MOTHER TAUGHT YOU. YOU SHOULDN'T EAT EVERYTHING PUT IN FRONT OF YOU. You should avoid foods high in cholesterol. 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