Community Magazine January 2012

In an ongoing effort to promote enriched literacy and give an heightened appreciation of the writing process, Shaare Torah Boys Elementary School has welcomed numerous authors to address its students over the past months. Mrs. Alice Shalom, author of several historical novels set in the Middle East highlighting our community’s past, spoke to the Junior High School boys after they read her book, Through the Flames of Aleppo. She shared her insights on how to develop plots and characters. The boys were truly engrossed during her interactive discussion which included interesting slides that animated her talk. The second grade boys and their moms were delighted by a surprise guest at their end of year Author’s Tea. Beloved Shaare Preschool Director and children’s book author, Mrs. Goldie Golding, came to wish the boys well on this meaningful occasion. She shared with them her behind-the-scenes experience with the design and printing process of her cherished children’s favorites and she showed them samples of her books in various forms of production. This past fall, to commemorate the tenth anniversary of September 11, 2001, Mr. Ari Schonbrun, an employee of Cantor Fitzgerald, was invited to speak to the boys in grades 7 and 8 and Shaare Torah High School about his harrowing escape from Tower One on that fateful day. The full details of his amazing experience which includes his heroic rescue of others from the burning building are included in his recently released book, Miracles and Fate on 78. “Exposure to these interesting and engaging speakers has truly enriched the curriculum at Shaare,” relates Rabbi Shmuel Schwebel, General Studies principal at the boys’ elementary school. “The boys gained so much from both the information and the excitement that these authors exuded. It is truly a delight to offer these and other stimulating programs to our students and the benefits are blooming in the quality of the writing that the boys are producing.” Reading opens doors. Picking up a book, reading it, and understanding and appreciating the material expands a child’s horizons, broadens his knowledge, and enhances his overall educational in ways that spill over into other subjects. Shaare Torah recognizes the importance of engendering a love of reading within its students, and has therefore embarked on this exciting program whereby the students are exposed to the finest in children’s literature, and experience firsthand the unparalleled joy and satisfaction that reading and writing provides. From top to bottom: Rabbi Shmuel Schwebel, general studies principal of Yeshivat Shaare Torah (left), with author Mr. David Adler. Mr. Adler describes the writing process with visual cues. teVet 5772 JanuaRy 2012 59