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of the day came at-3 p.m. when the students were most restless. Nor was there
any recess.
Albarelli describes his early frustration and desire to quit. Yet, he kept coming
back,
motivated in part by fascination, affection for the boys; and the words of
hen Gerry Albarelli was seeking a teaching position, he answered
his
vice
principal who told him that if he stayed, it would change him.
an ad in a newspaper for an English teacher wanted at a
You
really
have to learn how to be a beacon for these boys," said the rabbi.
Brooklyn yeshivah. The rabbi who hired him offered the follow-
Albarelli
began
by telling the students stories from his imagination. The tech-
ing job description: "Think of it this way: You're going to Mars."
nique
captured
the
students and saved his professional life, he says.
Thus begins Albarelli's insightful memoir, Teacha! Stories from a Yeshiva (Glad
Entering the strict Orthodox world was culture shock. Yet, it was strangely
Day Books; $10.95), based on his five years of teaching English as a second
familiar to the 44-year-old author who saw striking-similarities between the
language. Only little more than 100 pages long, the book is a clear window
world of the Chasidim and the Catholic Italian-American community of his
into the closed world of a rigorously Orthodox Chasidic sect in the
boyhood.
Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn.
"English," Albarelli found, "is a door to the surrounding culture and the rab-
Though Albarelli is not Jewish, he succeeds in penetrating this most Jewish of
bis do not want boys being influenced by this culture."
worlds both as teacher and writer.. The respectful, nonjudgmental approach he
Many subjects were taboo in the classroom, including the human body,
brought to the classroom is mirrored in his delightful stories. It helps to bridge
Israel, current events, girls, movies and television. Teachers were not allowed to
the cultural gap that not only divides Jews and non-Jews, but Jews themselves.
talk about themselves or bring newspapers to school. "Just make believe it's
Albarelli taught at the Satmar Yeshiva from 1990-1995. None of his prior
another century," the English principal told his teachers.
-teaching experience prepared him.
Discipline was the biggest problem where boys are in school from 6:30 a.m.
until 6:30 p.m. English was not considered important, and the secular portion

FRAN HELLER
Special to the Jewish News

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• Akiva social worked
guidance counselor.
Roberta Martin reinforces
values of respect when
working with students.