24 | MAY 19 • 2022

When I began as volunteer greeter
at the then new Holocaust Memorial
Center in Farmington Hills in 2004,
I had no idea I would be there for
nine years.
In 2006, I went on a group
trip to both Poland and Israel
with Hadassah to experience my
Judaism and newfound knowl-
edge from the HMC. Our great
Rabbi Charles Rosenzvieg asked
me to bring him a brochure from
Auschwitz as he was writing one
for the new center at the time. I felt
like a little ambassador for them
and was their eyes and ears on my
journey.
My understanding of Holocaust
history had been vastly improved
and expanded through Mrs. Feiga
Weiss, head librarian at the HMC,
as she showed my Yizkor books
from and for a part of my family that
I never knew existed. Although I
was deeply horrified to learn that
the family was shot into pits in the
Lithuanian forest, I was also over-
joyed to find that a son had escaped
and survived and was living in Israel.
Feiga suggested that we look for his
phone number in an Israeli phone
book she had in the library, and she
found him! This is the pure essence
of tikkun olam, repairing the world
and sewing it back together one
family at a time.
My uncle, Meyer Ruch, and I were
very close friends until he passed
away. I feel it was a life opportunity
that Feiga gave not only to me, but
also to my whole family that I could
now help educate. This knowledge
has helped shape my heart and
soul. I created two books for the
lost family, one of research findings
and the other of photographs, which
Feiga said was “a beautiful tribute.”
This is where inspiration combines
with knowledge and history to cre-

ate a love for my people and the
entire Jewish people.
This shows the true meaning of
a teacher’s job, goal and mission,
and this unsung “jewel in the crown”
at our own Holocaust Center has
achieved just that.
Feiga has done more than set
me on my path, she has given me a
goal: to teach and be a role model
as well.
I hope others will follow in Feiga’s
footsteps, not only to become
teachers in this area, but to find their
own historical heritage just waiting
to be unlocked.
Mrs. Weiss is a true professional
and a master of resources and tech-
nology in this field. And, for me, she
brings history to life. To which I say,
l’chaim and thank you to my friend
Feiga, for caring and sharing.

“No matter how beautifully I describe
Jodi as an educator, my words do not do
her justice,” said one parent. “Jodi does not
merely impart knowledge to students. Jodi
profoundly perceives the soul of each child
in her classroom. She cultivated a love of
learning within our daughter, taught her
that school can be genuinely fun, and, most
importantly, interpreted her shortcomings as
strengths not yet honed.”
Head of School Dr. Darin Katz said, “Jodi
Tepper is truly an amazing educator. She
sees the potential in each child and strives
to differentiate instruction for each student
to help them excel. Jodi cares deeply about
the academic, social, spiritual and emotional
development of each of her students. Hillel
Day School is beyond fortunate to have Jodi
as one of our teachers and we are extremely
proud of her for winning this award!”

HONORABLE MENTIONS

STEVE MCCLURE, FARBER
HEBREW DAY SCHOOL
Steven McClure teaches third
grade general studies at Farber
Hebrew Day School. He is
always finding new ways to
engage the children by incorporating their
interests into the curriculum. This year,
his class was accepted into the Red Wings
Reading for Kids reading program, where
students were able to get Red Wing-themed
prizes based on their ability to meet their
reading goals.

PAM FARBER, HILLEL DAY
SCHOOL
Pam Farber is a Learning
Specialist at Hillel for fifth and
sixth graders. “She is an amaz-
ing educator, who’s available to
her students and their parents day or night,”
said one parent. “She often gets calls from a
parent after hours and does not hesitate to
answer her phone. She is so passionate about
her students and wants each of them to do
their best.”

MICHELLE BORTNICK,
HILLEL DAY SCHOOL
Michelle Bortnick is the Math
Curriculum Coordinator for
fifth through eighth grades and
math teacher at Hillel. “Michele

Teachers Don’t Just
Work in Schools

ROWE A. RUCH
SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

Rowe Ruch at Auschwitz

continued on page 26

OUR COMMUNITY
continued from page 22