Description
24 Page Booklet 6" x 6"
Produced by: Levi A. Reiter, Ph.D.
Click here for sample
“MOMENT OF SILENCE”-- FILLING IN THE GAPS
Levi A. Reiter, Ph.D.
Why is there an essential need for a new booklet on the Moment of Silence?
Isn’t it already known by Lubavitcher Chassidim, shluchim, and others that the Rebbe wants children in public schools to have a Moment of Silence, of contemplation before beginning their day? If that is the sum total of the Rebbe’s request then it would seem sufficient for Congress to mandate a short delay before beginning classes so that children have a moment to think in silence. In fact, several states have already succeeded in obtaining such mandates and more are on the way. If this is already happening, then indeed why publish a new booklet on the subject? I trust the following piece will answer this question.
CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTMENTS ARE IMPORTANT, BUT NOT SUFFICIENT
I begin with a Yasher koach to shuchim and askonim who have worked to obtain congressional mandates for the MOMENT OF SILENCE policy in public schools.
However a key ingredient which the Rebbe requested still needs to be addressed. This is parental involvement.
A public school principal may require classes to begin with a moment of silence, but what thoughts will the students be thinking of as the seconds tick by?
The Rebbe required that parental cooperation be enlisted to encourage productive and wholesome thinking during those 60 seconds. For example, be kind to your classmates, respect your friend’s property, etc.
It is precisely the parental aspect which must be filled in. Congress can indeed mandate public school policy. Congress can never mandate that parents cooperate in the venture.
To this end a booklet is now available, entitled, “MOMENT OF SILENCE IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS: A CALL TO ALL PARENTS”. The booklet is entertaining, colorfully illustrated, and easy to read. It includes examples of thoughts to ponder in 60 seconds, as well as touching hand-written letters of public schoolers praising their own moment of silence program, and telling how it helped them in so many ways.
Most of all, the booklet will show parents how valuable their own personal role with the Moment of Silence experience will be in benefitting their children’s success in school and in life.
Even in states without a congressional mandate, a booklet of this kind can encourage parents who recognize the benefits and wisdom of the “moment of silence” to take it to their own public school PTA meetings, or even to their congress person.
These are the reasons why in addition to the great work put forth by our shluchim and askonim a booklet is needed which emphasizes the parents’ vital participation in the Moment of Silence campaign.
