e ppleTree's
Top Ten

The 10 best-selling children's albums of 1996:
1)Classic Disney Vol.
2) Classic Disney Vol. II
3) Toy Storybook and cassette
4)Anirnaniacs Variety Pack
5) Barney Favorites Vol. I
6) Barney's Sleeptime Songs
7) Bugs And Friends
8) Joanie Bartels' Dancin' Magic
9) Sailor Moon: TV Soundtrack
10)Winnie The Pooh book and cassette

Provided by Harmony House Records

Out Of The
Mouths Of Babes

"We juSt took our son, Todd Szlamkowicz, for his 5-
year checkup. The last thing the doctor did was give
him a booster shot. At this point, Todd started
screaming that it hurt. The doctor told him, 'It's all
better now.' Todd responded, 'Are you me? Do you
know?' This is a phrase that Todd seems to use quite
often. We think we may be looking at a future prose-
cuting attorney."

-- Leo and Heidi Szlamkowicz
of Southfield

We would love to hear your child's adorable com-
ments. Please send or fax to The AppleTree, 27676
Franklin Rd., Southfield, MI 48034, fax (810) 354-
6069.

"Mother is the
name for God in the
heart and on the lips
of little children."

— British author
William M. Thackeray

Words To Live By

The best advice I ever got from my mother and father:

SUSAN STETTNER SPECIAL TO THE APPLETREE

IAT hen thinking
about writing this
article, I automati-
cally thought of
the book by Robert Fulghum, All I
Ever Needed To Know I Learned
in Kindergarten and its wonderful
wisdom. It is not a complex book,
and the messages are actually quite
clear and succinct. So, too, as I
think about the lessons I learned at
home, I realize their strong influ-
ence on the development of the
person I am today.
What I learned as a young child
was very informative and instruc-
tional to the development of my Ju-
daism. I have vivid Jewish
memories and experiences. Holi-
day celebrations became an excit-
ing time. From the cleaning and
shopping to the cooking and spe-
cial dress clothes, the yontef feel-
ing filled the air. I knew something
was out of the ordinary. Yontef
permeated my senses. I felt lucky
and special despite being different
from all those around me (I was
part of the only Jewish family in
my neighborhood).
Whether Shabbat or a holiday, I
watched my mother begin with
the candle lighting on the kitchen
table. She covered her head and
eyes and recited the bracha, as her
mother had. I knew, too, that I had
a responsibility to continue this tra-
dition when I grew up.
Traditional food wasn't confined
to our family, but was shared with
neighbors. I watched my mother as
she proudly explained why we ate
these foods, using the opportunity
to teach about who were.

With my mother as a role
model, I was encouraged to take
my Jewishness to elementary
school and share my identity.
Students and teachers loved the
food, and the songs I taught them.
Now I see how and why I became
comfortable with my role as a
teacher.
My father was quieter with his
Judaism. However, I would watch

him smile as he received an aliyah
at the synagogue. H also always
liked to lend a hand when some-
one needed assistance. He never
refused requests if he felt he could
help; he believed it was his respon-
sibility.
Asserting oneself for what was
righ t was another important lesson
I learned. I recall when my parents

marched into my junior high
school principal's office to protect
and defend me from anti-Semitic
slurs. I saw that, as American Jews,
they would not tolerate this behav-
ior.
Over and over I heard the fol-
lowing expressions which helped
develop my values, beliefs and
behavior today: "It is important to
judge people individually for who
they are, not what they are, where
they live, or how they look. People
are just people. There are good
and bad in all groups." I also
learned, "Family comes first. We
need to be there for each other. If
we aren't there for each other,
who will be there for us?" From
these, I understood the value of re-
spect for individuals and the impor-
tance of the Jewish family and
community.
My parents may not
have been Torah scholars
or recited a lot of He-
brew at home, but they
knew who they were, where they
came from and how they wanted
to help enrich the
future.
6,
2' I am proud and grateful
for the lessons I have
learned. Todah rabbah, (thank
you) Mom and Dad! By nurturing
strong roots and commitment to
the Jewish present and future,
they provided me with the tools
to continue and connect the gener-
ations. ❑
Susan Stunner is a consultant
with JEFF; Jewish Experiences For
Families of the Agency for Jewish
Education.