COMMUNITY VIEWS

A Source Of Rich Jewish Identity

did we learn how to do it
if it didn t teach us general
Way
The,,
s a 1999 Hillel Day School
correctly, but we also learned
laws and rules of the Torah?
'graduate and honor roll stu-
We
why, and throughout the rest
Hillel has instilled in us why
dent, I felt compelled to
Le
arn
of the years, we perfornied
we dress up on Purim, and
clarify some of what was
this on Sukkot while in
every year since I have been
written in the article, "If I Ran Hillel"
school.
I
remem-
at Hillel we have learned and
("Voices In Jewish Educa-
ber
vividly
one
year
my
practiced
this custom.
tion," Aug. 6) by Dr. Sheri
grandfather
took
us
to
syna-
One
of
the only things that has
Devries. Hillel has been the
gogue
on
Sukkot
and
was
always
remained
the same through-
best thing that ever happened
amazed to see that I knew
out my 10 years at Hillel is what my
to me. Anyone who was at
how to hold the lulav and
brothers and I call the holiday part
the class of '99's graduation
etrog
on
my
own.
Further-
of the curriculum. Our year began
can tell you from the tears in
more,
I
knew
the
blessing
with
learning about Rosh HaShana
my eyes. .
by
heart.
and
Yom
Kippur, then Simchat
The article questioned
Year
after
year,
we
prac-
Torah
and
Sukkot. We would make
whether students are taught
ticed
doing
these
rituals
and
decorations
to put in the school's
both why and how to perform
RACH EL
were continuously learning
sukka as well as being taught how to
Jewish rituals (i.e., shaking the
CHARL UPSKI
more. I don't think that I
make a sukka at our own homes.
lulav, lighting the candles and
Specia / to
can
even
remember
the
first
Not
only would we have our tradi-
keeping kosher). As a student,
the
Jewish
News
time
we
were
taught
how
to
tional
snack in the sukka, we would
I can proudly admit that we
light
the
Chanuka
candles
learn
why
there is scach (tree branch-
were taught all about Jewish
because
I
must
have
been
so
es)
on
the
top.
After the holiday, we
law, and each year our teachers
young.
However,
we
learned
why
we
would
partake
in the ritual of
added to that knowledge as we were bet-
light them in our first year at Hillel.
destroying the lulav at morning
ter able to comprehend our Jewish her-
The teachers reinforced the laws of
minyan. This was always a fun way
itage and traditions.
Chanuka
each
year
so
we
would
not
of
ending the busy holiday season at
I learned how to shake the lulav
forget
what
to
do
when
we
went
home
the
beginning of the school year.
when I was in second grade. Not only
to our families. I'm astonished when I
Our year would continue with fun
hear about people thinking that Hillel
ways of learning about the holidays,
Rachel Charlupski, 14, of Orchard
doesn't teach the students simple laws
Israeli as well as American.
Lake, will be entering West Bloomfield
of keeping kosher, such as no mixing
Every Monday and Thursday
High School. She is the daughter of
milk and meat-and so on. What
morning at minyan, we would recite
Elyn and Larry Charlupski.
would Hillel be teaching the students.
the Mi She-beirach, or prayer for the

A

'

sick. At this time, everyone stands in
respect for those students who gather ,
at the bima and voice the names of c \
their family and friends who are ill.
Flipping through the siddur of a mid-
dle school student, you will not see
only the prayer for seeing a beautiful
rainbow, but prayers for sunsets, trav-
eling and the Holocaust as well.
My time at Hillel Day School was
more like a lifestyle than a daily task. It
was the most meaningful experience iri
the world to go there every day and see
the familiar faces of my friends and
teachers. It made growing up and learn-
ing so much easier because we were con-
stantly surrounded by people who loved
and cared for us. There is no way I can
express to anyone that still attends Hillel
the pride and satisfaction they will feel
after they graduate.
—/
Hillel has given me the richest Jew-
ish identity that I could have asked
for. Plus, it has instilled in me life
lessons that could not have been
taught better or more effectively any-
where else. Hillel is doing a great job,
although there are always changes that
could be made to make Hillel even
better. If I ran Hillel, I could only
hope to provide the quality educatior
to students that I was so fortunate to
receive.

❑

LETTERS

Jewish children are protected by Jew-
ish adults who could be armed.
Indeed, the armed Jew may be the
only protector the children have.
Further, the state of California
.
should openly admit that the "right to
carry" is a necessary and proper reme-
dy for all citizens. The assassinations,
murders and threats that are perpetrat-
ed on them and, in particular, Jews
and their children, must be countered.
"Right to carry" will be one more
brick in the "wall of protection."
Failing that, Jewish kids will con-
tinue to be walking targets, unprotect-
ed, for the mad killers who populate
the American civilization.
Michael Drissman

Farmington Hills

response since it appears that the
writer seems to desire to enter Henri,
etta posthumously into the New York
Democratic primary for senator
against Hillary. I wouldn't bet on the
chances for Henrietta, as much as I
admire her and her achievements.
The writer was decidedly unfair in
her comments about Hillary and the
unproven Whitewater and travel office
charges, among other overblown polit-
ical allegations. Even a first lady is
entitled to presumption of innocence.
As much as I disliked her Palestin-
ian-state remark, it doesn't detract
from the excellent work she has done
in her appearances among children
and on behalf of women's causes.
Albert Best

Troy

First Lady
Is Worthy

The letter regarding Hillary Clinton
vs. Henrietta Szold ("Is Hillary
Deserving?," Aug. 13) merits a

8 /2 0
1999

30 Detroit Jewish News

Hillel Does
Teach 'How

In response to the article submitted by
Dr. Sheri Devries entitled "If I Ran

Hillel" ("Voices In Jewish Education,"
Aug. 6), I have to offer a different per-
spective.
I'm a current Hillel parent (this is
my ninth year). Prior to Hillel, I had
very little knowledge of the "how
to's," as Sheri called them. My chil-
dren taught me how to perform the
rituals at Sukkot. We even purchased
the lulav and etrog through the
school's offering every year because of
my daughter's desire to have our own.
The proper lighting of the Chanu-
ka candles are taught on their first
Chanuka at Hillel. Keeping kosher is
taught always, as my children have
taught us the rules and the whys. The
school is kosher and so is every lunch
they've taken for the last eight years!
I've personally attended parent-study
classes with the school rabbi. We've
been invited countless times to hear
speakers; our involvement in the
school is constantly encouraged.
In short, I feel our lives have been
truly enriched forever. Being a Hillel
parent has brought my husband and

I a deep appreciation of how to be a<
Jew and given us a strong sense of
wanting to give back to the commu-
nity.

Rhonda Byer
Farmington Hills

Land, Peace
And The Golan

Hafez al-Assad, ruler of Syria, declared
the price of peace is that every last Israeli
must withdraw from the Golan Heights.
There are now 17,000 Jews living in 33
communities on the Golan.
President Bill Clinton's proposed
"land-for-peace" deal will have the
Jews give away all their homes, build-
ings, factories and farms to the Arabs(7_\'
of Syria and all Jews will have to move
out of the Golan Heights. In
exchange, Syria's dictator will promise
not to order any more attacks on Jews.
This promise will be made in Presi-

LETTERS ON PAGE 32