Spirituality

Blind author, lecturer
shares- her story
of a return
to Judaism.

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If your child
stutters:

a guide for parents

Send for our 56-page book compiled by
authorities on the prevention of stutter-
ing ... ask for book No. 11 and enclose
$1.00 for postage and handling.

STUTTERING
FOUNDATION

A Nonprofit
Organization

OF AMERICA

5/11
2001

64

P.O. Box 11749 • Memphis, TN 38111-0749
www.stutterSFA.org
1,800-992-9392

SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN
Staff Writer

I

t is said that in the absence of one
sense, others are made more vivid.
For Lieba Schwartz, her absence of
sight gave way to a new sense.
"She has acquired a clearer view of
the beauty of Yiddishkeit (Judaism) than
some others who are blessed with the
ability to see, says Rabbi Elimelech
Silberberg of the Sara Tugman Bais
Chabad Torah Center.
Born a Jew, Schwartz became disillu-
sioned with Judaism at age 17, after
assuming that because her family was
Jewish and did not believe in God, all
Jews did not. She took her own belief in
God and turned to Christianity. She
joined a church, eventually teaching
Sunday school, tl-, cri became a national
lecturer and writer about Christianity.
She moved to Boston and served in the.
pulpit.
After 40 years of involvement with
Christianity, two words and two books
opened her eyes and led her to discover
and return to her Jewish heritage,"says
Chaya Sarah Silberberg, who was instru-
mental in inviting Schwartz to Detroit
to speak on her experience.
In a program at 7:30 p.m. Sunday,
May 20, at the Torah Center, Schwartz
will share her story in a talk titled,
"More Than the Eye Can See: A

take me 5 1 /2 years to learn- it. I want
Journey from Darkness to Light."
others
to say, 'Oh, my gosh, if she can
It is the light of spirituality which
do it, I can do it.'
guides her through life, not the lights
"People ask, 'How do I find modest
of this world," C-haya Sarah Silberberg
clothes? How do I find a hechsher (kosher
says.
certification)? How do I light Shabbos
After receiving a taped version of
candles without burning my fingers?'
two books on Judaism and Lubavitch,
"Just do what you can, you can't do it
and hearing the thought-provoking
all
at once. Do it step by step."
words "Good Shabbos," Schwartz says
Travel
is difficult for Schwartz, as is
she found herself in deep contempla-
staying in unfamiliar surroundings.
tion of Judaism. She resigned from the
"But I feel it is so important that other
church, moved to Crown Heights,
Jews learn about my journey," she says.
N.Y., and now shares her discoveries
"If I can touch one Jew who will put a
with other Jews.
mezuzah on their door, or light a
"My talk is funny," Schwartz says. "A
Shabbos candle, then I am willing to
blind lady talking about 'More Than the
journey.
I have discovered that Judaism
Eye Can See' doesn't sound funny. But I
is
more
than
the eye can see. It is a
want to reach all people, to reach chil-
journey from darkness to light — the
dren — and children love to laugh."
light of the Torah."
Schwartz lectures at no charge in
schools. "If a child is thinking of
leaving a Jewish school or dating a
boy who is not Jewish, let them
Lieba Schwartz will present "More Than the
hear my talk first," she says.
Eye Can See: A Journey from Darkness to
Schwartz spends many of her
Light," at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 20, at the
days with young persons. "They
Sara Tugman Bais Chabad Torah Center.
call me constantly," she says.
Open to the community. Cost is 57.
"They call me and we do their
Prior to the talk, an all-you-can eat
(Jewish-based) homework on the
Chinese buffet dinner will be served from
phone, so they can teach me. I
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Cost is 51 5 adults/$8
have a 9-year-old Shema-partner,"
children younger than 12. Reservations
she says of a young friend who is
required.
helping her memorize one word
For information on the lecture or the
of the prayer each week. "There
dinner, call (248) 855-6170.
are 248 words," she says. "It will

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