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