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March 7, 2003/Adar2 3 5763, Vol. 55, No. 28
Letters to the EditorMarch 7, 2003
Schechter lauded as high school visionaryEditor:As parents we do our best to educate our children, and a number of us wished to send our children to a Jewish high school in the Northeast Valley. To that end we entrusted the visionary board of directors of Jess Schwartz Jewish Community High School who hired a beacon of a headmaster, Jay Schechter. It was with tremendous sadness that we learned that Schechter will be retiring in June. ("High school headmaster to retire," Jewish News, Feb. 28) It has been his dream, desire, work ethic, caring and devotion to our children that has created the foundation for the high school. While Schechter has much family to return to in New York, he is leaving behind a family of students that have benefited greatly from his time, leadership and love. These children of ours will be forever influenced by the foundation he has laid for them. The future success of the high school remains in good hands, but we will always be indebted to Schechter. So, we wish him and his wife only the best and thank him for all he has done for our children. Drs. Charles and Laura Adler Scottsdale Praise for Rabbi Berk's spirit, passionEditor:I was one of the lucky 10 standing with Rabbi Bill Berk that day in Israel, listening to him tell the group about Moses and feeling the intense emotion. ("Learning for life," Jewish News, Feb. 21) We have a very large congregation. Rabbi Berk can't possibly get to know everyone. However, no one can be as passionate about Judaism as he is. When this small Advanced Studies class started, Rabbi Berk put his whole heart and soul into it. If I could put into words the joy in his face the day we arrived in Israel. There were 10 of us, from different backgrounds, some wealthy, some not, but after three years of study we had become family. This was his goal. Rabbi Berk is contagious. He is the reason for the success of Temple Chai's programming. Yes, there are other people that help, but ultimately he is so true to who he is and to who we are as a community. He has truly accomplished the extraordinary at Temple Chai. I know I have grown as a Jew and as a mother and as a woman. I am proud to call him my rabbi, my teacher and my friend. Judith Fox Scottsdale
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