Shevach High School

 

Tuesday, February 5 dawned bright and … not so cold! That was a good thing since the Shevach High School senior class was heading up to Albany. The trip was planned to learn more about the workings of state government as well as the region’s history, including, of course, Jewish life, past and present.

Arrival in Albany was right on schedule, at eleven in the morning. Following security clearance at the Capitol building, the students were ushered to a conference room where they were privileged to meet with State Senator Simcha Felder. The Shevach contingent appreciated Senator Felder’s modest and often humorous replies to their questions. These questions and responses addressed the significant issue of substantial equivalency and yeshiva education, daily responsibilities and dedication to public service, and the challenges faced by an Orthodox Jew in a position of government.

A fascinating tour of the Capitol building was next on the agenda, as knowledgeable and engaging guides reviewed the history of the Capitol and pointed out the breathtaking masonry, grand staircases, and halls. The domed War Room with its painted scenes of famous conflicts and the Governors’ Hall showcasing the impressive portraits of past governors were unique examples of the fusion of architecture and fine art.

While seated in the gallery of the Senate chamber, the students were able to listen and watch as senators addressed their colleagues. The electronic voting equipment and tally screens were noted in the Assembly chamber, and illustrated the modern approach to democracy. A reunion meeting with Senator Joseph Addabbo, who had visited Shevach in November, as well as a surprise greeting by Assembly member Daniel Rosenthal, capped off this segment of the trip. It was a busy day in the Capitol with several lobby groups there to advocate for their positions, and so the atmosphere overall was indeed “stately,” and, at the same time, reflective of the voice of the people.

The next stop was the Underground Railroad Museum. Educational workshops and presentations gave the students a much more detailed and personal understanding of the leadership and operations of the movement to bring African Americans to freedom and their hopes for social, political, and economic equality. Since the museum is housed in the home of Stephen and Harriet Meyers, who were important leaders in this movement, 19th-century American history became a little more tangible as the students sat in the same parlor and near or on the same furniture these important Americans had used.

Two fabulous receptions of the Shevach group followed. The first was at the Maimonides School in Albany where the students in grades eight through eleven had set up a beautiful and warm welcome in their main lobby. There was a giant handmade “Shalom Shevach” banner, plentiful delicious refreshments, and a creative game. After greetings by Rabbi Rubin and Mrs. Leah Rubin, the girls in both schools had the opportunity to meet each other and schmooze. After davening Minchah at the school, the Shevach seniors made their way down to Kingston, the final stop of the day.

The visit to the shul in Kingston was the result of a generous invitation by Shirley Crystal. Mrs. Crystal is the grandmother of Chava Crystal, one of Shevach’s seniors. Mrs. Crystal runs the N’shei group at the shul, and she and fellow N’shei member Rosemarie Lewis arranged a beautiful dining area for the students’ dinner, providing drinks, desserts, and a happy family get-together. Rabbi Avrohom Boruch Itkin energetically addressed the students with an uplifting dvar Torah perfectly suited to the Hebrew date, which was Rosh Chodesh Adar I. He also described the Jewish history of Kingston and the area’s recent revival. The ride back to New York City found most of the seniors tired but certainly glad they’d made the journey upstate!

Special thanks to Mr. Barry Grossman, instructor of AP U.S. History, Government and Economics, for coordinating this outstanding trip under the guidance of Mrs. Nechama Mirsky, associate principal, general studies. Yasher koach to the Shevach students for making a wonderful Kiddush Hashem far away from home.

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