Mothers Day 2005

Hello All!

We returned last Thursday night after a 12 day, 17 presentation visit to the beautiful Finger Lakes and Capitol (Albany) Regions of New York State, a most beautiful time of the year to be there. Grueling, yes, but also rewarding, seeing and feeling the positive receptiveness and responsiveness of so many. 

We drove the nearly 300 miles from Long Island to Auburn on a Sunday, stopping along the way for coffee to go with the sandwiches we had brought with us. Coincidentally, we stopped for our decaffeinated coffee at the Lone Star Restaurant in Scranton, PA, (having been there by chance the previous year on our way up to the Finger Lakes) and, even more coincidentally, were served hot, tasty coffee, again without charge! Many thanks to Kem Gryder, for this courtesy and big smile.

The visit to the Finger Lakes was coordinated by West Middle School teacher, Robert Montgomery (a Mandel Fellow). Bob did a superb job in arranging the many details. West School students did a fabulous, permanent “wall of ceramic tiles” to commemorate the Holocaust, with many meaningful messages of tolerance. Kari Fastic, the art teacher, worked with these students, as did Sue Pelc and Toni Mosley. I had the honor of “cutting the ribbon,” and this entire presentation was a big surprise for me. 
The Auburn “Citizen” featured an article on this project.

We also wish to thank Elaine Cohen and Herb Sussman for their hospitality in providing lodging at the Auburn Conservative Synagogue, and for the gala Friday evening reception and beautifully served Shabbat meal, where 30 guests shared this homey experinece with us.

In addition to speaking to students in Auburn, and to a community wide audience held in the evening at the Auburn High School, (sponsored by the Auburn Education Foundation), I had the opportunity to speak to and with students in Baldwinsville, Geneva, Liverpool, Seneca Falls, Skaneateles and Waterloo. 

At these schools, too, were wonderful projects dealing with the Holocaust, and relevant themes of tolerance. There were creative signs about my life, and signs “welcoming” me to the U.S. in Baldwinsville. The effective PowerPoint presentation at Mynderse Academy High School in Seneca Falls, with important messages of tolerance written by the students, was projected on a large screen as students entered the auditorium for the presentation. 

The following Sunday, we drove to Albany. This segment of the trip was well coordinated by RCS High School teacher Rita Silverman. In the Capitol Region, I presented to students in RCS Middle and RCS High School in Ravena, Mont Pleasant Middle School in Schenectady (with a particularly warm and generous reception from Gail Denisoff, Librarian), Hudson High School and the Schuylerville Middle and High Schools. 

Nathaniel and I thank each of our many chauffeurs, who got us to each school in good order, and on time!

MARION’S TRIUMPH, shown in the Albany area by PBS station WMHT, invited me to do a TV interview for the InSight program with Marianne Potter, an especially welcoming host. This program will air on Thursday evening, June 16, at 7:30 PM

Following is a listing of PBS stations airing MARION’S TRIUMPH in June 

If you are in one of these areas, please make time available to view the program. Please let others know about the June schedule. Thank you!

Wednesday June 1 Chicago WTTW 10 PM

Sunday June 12 Arkansas KTEJ 2 PM 

Sunday June 12 Arkansas KETG 2 PM

Sunday June 12 Arkansas KETS 2 PM

Sunday June 12 Arkansas KEMV 2 PM

Sunday June 12 Arkansas KAFT 2 PM

Monday June 13 Michigan WCMW 10:30 PM

Monday June 13 Michigan WCML 10:30 PM

Monday June 13 Michigan WCMU 10:30 PM

Monday June 13 Michigan WCMV 10:30 PM

Monday June 20 Michigan WCMV 10:30 PM

Monday June 20 Michigan WCMW 10:30 PM

Monday June 20 Michigan WCML 10:30 PM

Yes, this Monday was Memorial Day. And, while in Waterloo, we learned that Memorial Day originated in this upstate New York town way back in 1865, to commemorate and honor those killed in the Civil War.

Let us go beyond the BBQ’s and family gatherings, and remember our veterans, past and present, who have fought, and continue to fight, to protect our freedom and way of life. We owe these men and women a great debt of gratitude for their sacrifices. May they not have been made in vain. 

Fondly,
Marion