When a pebble is thrown into a pond, it creates rings around the spot where the stone hit the water. The ripples become wider and wider and spread across the surface of the pond until they can no longer be seen by the human eye. So too, when a person performs an act of kindness, it creates a ripple effect with the people around them, causing the first act of kindness to morph into countless others. The effects of one act of kindness can keep going endlessly, helping and impacting countless numbers of lives.

Such a phenomenon happened in Mrs. Aliza Lee’s playgroup a few weeks ago when, in honor of their unit on chesed for the letter ches, she read Kindness Is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler by Margery Cuyler to her three- and four-year-old students. That same week, Mrs. Lee’s mother had to go to the hospital. After a very long night and early morning with her mother, Morah Aliza had to go to her playgroup. That is when the beautiful ripple effect begun.

The desire to be included is universal, a feeling that everyone can relate to. From elementary school through retirement, people brighten at the opportunity to contribute to conversations, problem solving, and projects. But it is teenagers – with their budding individuality and preoccupation with social acceptance – who may have the hardest time having their voices heard and hearing the voices of others. How wonderful it would be for all teens to be able to meet their peers in the community in a safe, nonjudgmental place – and if all of them could work together on a common project.

This was the idea behind Teen Sketch, a program held this spring, in which teens worked together to create gorgeous murals that will soon enhance the walls of the JCC and the Pearlstone Center. Two programs were held, one at the JCC and one at Pearlstone, and each group met twice. The project was very successful not only in the beautiful work of art that emerged from it but also in giving the teens of various talents and abilities a chance contribute and shine, each in their own way.

Mrs. Chaya Lasson is Program Manager at Gilchrist Jewish Hospice Program. Here, she explains the concept of hospice and its benefits to families.

Emma Michelsohn:  How would you define hospice to someone unfamiliar with it?

Chaya Lasson: It’s important to know that hospice is not a place but a philosophy. It is a specialized type of personalized care that is completely centered around the needs of the patient and the patient’s family. The main idea is that care should be personal as each patient has a situation that it completely unique to him or her alone. With hospice, a collaborative and interdisciplinary team addresses the patient’s physical needs – the hospice’s medical staff are experts at pain management – and in addition, tend to the emotional and spiritual needs of the patient and the patient’s family. This kind of inclusive care is so helpful to the patient and their loved ones, and it is unique to hospice care.

While each Yom Tov comes with its own host of customs, foods, and festivities, Purim affords people of all ages the opportunity to unleash their creativity. From planning the best mishloach manos to plotting the best shtick, getting ready for Purim is a whirlwind of non-stop activity. But with all the excitement comes a bit of stress: how to decide on a costume, where to get it, and how to tie it into the chag. I decided to ask people from the community who are champion costumers for their wisdom and input. 

The Bulka family invests time every year in coming up with a theme that ties together their mishloach manos and their costumes. They started with having everyone just wear matching outfits. Their first “themed” Purim was Winnie the Pooh: their two-year-old son was Pooh, their newborn daughter was Piglet, and Dad was Tigger. Now, according to Mrs. Haviva Bulka, “we make or buy costumes or go to the costume gemach. We include a picture in our shalach manos package of our family dressed up, so that whoever we miss during our delivery can see us.”

Another night, another practice.

Laughter trails through the rooms of Bas Melech as costumed girls run about touch-up their outfits. We are getting ready for a routine run-through in preparation for our December production of Annie. Aviva Cohen, our director, calls us together, and we begin.

How did I get here? Let me back up.

After leaving Bais Yaakov, I never thought I would find myself in a “production” involving young women of the community. But thanks to RINA, a new organization founded by Rivka Rubenstein and Rochel Ziman, I got my chance. It all started in the summer, when I saw an ad in the WWW about auditions for the play. I wasn’t sure how I felt about trying out. I was nervous, and I had never actually seen Annie (I know, I know). But I heard the buzz in Baltimore, and eventually several people close to me convinced me to go for it.

Rumors had been flying for years, but the buzz started in earnest this past December, when the School Board announced that Northwestern High School, at the corner of Falstaff and Park Heights, would be closing its doors for once and for all. The immediate question on everyone’s mind was what is going to take its place?

On Monday, July 10, I attended a community-wide meeting at the high school building slated to answer that very question. The meeting was one of several conducted this summer by the Baltimore City Planning Department to allow community members and interested parties to explore various prospects for reuse and to share their desires and concerns.