12/18/12 Byram Has Got Heart: New Lebanon School Sends Sandy Aid To Queens Chiildren

PHOTO: New Lebanon School Principal Barbara Rucci listens as second-grader Lucas Del Pezo, 7, speaks Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, at the school about Hurricane Sandy and how it motivated the school to help a hard-hit school in Rockaway, Queens, N.Y. New Lebanon School welcomed the principal and some staff from PS 104 in Rockaway Queens, N.Y., to whom they gave gifts, gift cards, school items like T-shirts for students and staff.

Students and staff at a Far Rockaway, Queens, N.Y., school still struggling with the effects of Superstorm Sandy received a boost from Byram Students.

In a 2 p.m. ceremony in the New Lebanon School gym, two staff members from Public School 104 were given gifts, books and gift cards donated by the Byram school's students, parents and staff.

Deirdre McShane, P.S. 104's assistant principal, and Mary Bermudez, a teacher at the Queens school, were thankful. "It's been an overwhelming response that people want to help," Bermudez said. "We have been adopted by six schools from around the country, and New Lebanon was the first one."

The link between the schools is through a New Lebanon parent, Clare Kilgallen, whose cousin is Katie Grady, P.S. 104's principal.

New Lebanon PTA President Michael Bocchino said the school decided to concentrate on items such as gift cards that the P.S. 104 families and staff could use to purchase what they need. The school also donated $500 worth of books, along with gifts and items for three hard-hit families.

The school wasn't flooded as other were, but did have an outdoor play area was damaged by a downed tree. It was without power for two weeks, however, and about 75 of its 650 students had to move to other schools because their homes were too badly damaged, McShane said.

McShane and Bermudez toured New Lebanon School before the assembly.

Bermudez said everyone at the school survived, but some students and their families had to swim out of their homes when the storm hit.

Bermudez and McShane promised they would return to update New Lebanon School on their progress.

Tab For Replacing The Municipal Marina In Byram Is Being Calculated By Roberge Associates Coastal Engineers In Stamford - Sandy Damage Costs Continue To Mount For Greenwich

The economic toll of Superstorm Sandy is coming into focus for Byram and the town of Greenwich, which estimates it will cost $2.5 million to $3.5 million to repair the damage to its public beaches and marinas alone.

The town is paying Roberge Associates Coastal Engineers LLC of Stratford $12,000 to assess the storm damage at Greenwich Point Park, Island Beach and the municipal marina in Byram.

The so-called jewels of Greenwich's park system sustained widespread beach erosion, mangled docks and tree damage during the Oct. 29 storm.

The marine consultant, which has done prior work for the town, is expected to release its report early next week on the damage.

The goal for me would be to use this report to not only present to the towns insurance company, but to also present it to FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency)."

Connecticut's wealthiest municipality is also expected to put in a $1 million claim for town-owned trees lost during the storm.

The town hopes to recover $800,000 of the $1 million from insurance, with FEMA covering a $200,000 deductible.

By comparison, the town received $244,000 for tree damage during a March 2010 nor'easter, when the values of individual trees were capped at $2,500 for insurance purposes.

Comprehensive overtime totals for the public sector employees who were part of the response to the storm and the ensuing recovery were not yet available from  Peter Mynarski Jr., the town comptroller. 

Town officials characterized the claims process as lengthy and complex, noting that Greenwich is just now being reimbursed for damages sustained during a freak October snowstorm in 2011.

The first town department to publicly report its overtime from Superstorm Sandy was parks, which parks director Joseph Siciliano said accrued $103,061 through Dec. 7, spanning the state of emergency to the ongoing recovery.

The parks department spent an additional $240,273 to cover costs such as equipment rental, outsourcing of tree work and a small road repaving project at Greenwich Point that were all storm-related,

During the 11-day state of emergency, which was lifted Nov. 9, the town incurred approximately  $155,000 in police overtime. 

Fire Chief Peter Siecienski has that overtime costs for his department and equipment damage will be around $200,000.

That figure does not include $40,000 it will take to repair a rescue vehicle based at the Sound Beach fire station, which was damaged by a fallen tree limb.

Greenwich Board Of Education Board Member Peter Sherot Not Sure Theme School Would Address Racial Imbalance In Byram Schools

QUOTE: Peter Sherr Says: "This whole subject tore open the board before, badly, It tore open the community before. I was so disappointed because I was interested in the comment that it helps kids perform better. I got this long report that was like a sales job on IB again."

The district needs to take a closer look at its current magnet programs before launching another themed school as a way to address racial imbalance, the Board of Education has concluded.

The school board recently decided to explore creating a science, technology, engineering and math program to help racially balance Hamilton Avenue School and New Lebanon school.

During an evening work session, the board discussed the district's magnet programs and how the success of the International Baccalaureate program at the International School at Dundee could be replicated to affect the racial imbalances.

During the discussion, Superintendent of Schools William McKersie presented an overview of the IB magnet programs at the International School at Dundee, New Lebanon School and Western Middle School, as well as student achievement data for ISD.

Board member Peter Sherr took issue with McKersie's presentation of data about ISD students, which included high scores on standardized tests. Sherr noted that ISD students still don't perform as well on tests as students at Old Greenwich, Riverside and North Mianus schools, and said the data doesn't show that the IB method helps students more than teaching methods at the town's other high-performing schools.

"This whole subject tore open the board before, badly," Sherr said, referring to last year's debate about expanding IB to Western Middle School. "It tore open the community before. I was so disappointed because I was interested in the comment that (IB) helps kids perform better. I got this long report that was like a sales job on IB again."

09/02/12 Activated Story Theatre

On Sept. 10, at 3:30 p.m., the Byram Shubert Library, 21 Mead Ave., is hosting the Activated Story Theatre to perform the African tale "Hatseller and Monkey" (popularized by the book "Caps for Sale") and a legend about how the ice cream cone was invented at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. To get a part in the show, kids age 6 and up must attend the free pre-show theatre workshop which begins half an hour before showtime. Participation limited to 12 children, no experience necessary. For more information call 203.531-0426 or visit http://www.activatedstorytheatre.com.

Swingaholics Slated To Play At Byram Shore Park

On Aug. 18, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., the Dept. of Parks and Recreation presents the Swingaholics at the Byram Shore Park. Expect to hear some Count Basie band call-and-response lines woven between American standards, as well as the humorous songs of Louis Jordan and Bob Wills, with judicious amounts of good-time rock'n'country. The rain date is Aug. 19.

For more information visit www.greenwichct.org, or call 203-618-7649.

Byram Resident Says That New BOE Residency Policy Is Elitist

I went to the Board of Education's website to check out the new procedure for landlords; I am one, and they have a child in school. According to the BOE, I must provide a notarized affidavit that they are renting, that I will notify the BOE when they leave and that I understand I can be subject to criminal penalties.

I must also provide a copy of my utility bills and list all other persons in my house along with their relationship to me. There is no landlord law in Connecticut that compels me to do this for my tenant. I don't need to have to dig up my utility bill, take time from work to find a notary, or face criminal penalties if I forget to notify the BOE if my tenant leaves. And who else lives in my house is none of the BOE's business -- why even include this creepy request?

So guess what, I'm not going to do it. And guess what else, they're going to have to admit that student anyway because Connecticut law compels Greenwich to provide an education to all school-age residents. This kind of nonsense doesn't help Greenwich's reputation as elitist since these new onerous requirements only target renters. Go back to your drawing board on this one.

John Bowman
Byram

The Greenwich Board Of Selectmen Selectmen Voted Unanimously To Go Back To Two-way Traffic On New Lebanon Avenue In Byram

This came after experimenting with a one-way traffic pattern for 90 days that was widely panned by Byram residents.

Byram Neighborhood Association Chairman Michael Bocchino criticized the town's conduct of the trial and what he characterized as a lack of communication by the

 Department of Public Works about changes to the street and signage.

Michael Bocchino said. "We the people of Byram deserve a little bit more, as does the town of Greenwich."

Jim Michael, the town's chief engineer, agreed that the road should be returned to two-way traffic in what he called a "compromise."

Michael noted that New Lebanon Avenue is being repaved and will get new sidewalks and granite curbing.

There will be eight on-street parking spaces on New Lebanon Avenue, in addition to 21 on William Street, which intersects it.

05/11/12 Domestic Terrorists In Greenwich? Michael Bocchino Says The Byram Neighborhood Association Wants To Blow Up The Mill Street Bridge!!! Should Someone Call Homeland Security?

PHOTO: A vehicle, center, heading east on Mill Street in Byram, coming from Port Chester, N.Y., waits for passing traffic to make a left onto North Water Street

The Greenwich Board of Selectmen is considering traffic changes at the congested intersection that is a traffic hub between Greenwich and Port Chester

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING....

.... Michael Bocchino, president of the Byram Neighborhood Association, said it would be better to close off the Mill River Bridge that connects Byram and Port Chester if the New York village didn't move quickly to work with Greenwich on traffic issues.

"They are making no efforts to make this a little bit easier for both sides," Michael Bocchino said about Port Chester leaders in comments at Thursday's Board of Selectmen meeting. "If the residents of Byram had their way that bridge would have a jersey barrier right in the middle of it.

"We would plant grass. We would make our side a park, allow for walking communities to go across and if that wasn't possible we would blow the damn thing up."...

...Melissa Evans, the town's traffic operations coordinator, said Port Chester has been working with Greenwich on improving traffic flow.

"To be fair to Port Chester, they have not been completely unresponsive," she said. "This is a joint effort."....

....The selectmen agreed to make a field trip to Byram to view the traffic situation.

Read more: http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/Traffic-issues-eyed-in-Byram-3550505.php#ixzz1uaIvRyn1 

05/10/12 The Raw Byram News Feed

'Garbage Czar': Greenwich native a recycling pioneer

Stamford Advocate

Briggs Baugh poses at the Town Recycling Center in Byram in 1995. Though nearly four decades have passed since then-Greenwich resident Briggs Baugh spearheaded the ...

05/10/12 OP Ed: Don't Delay Byram Pool..... Delay MISA Funding Until We Know More

There are four powerful reasons for the RTM to vote to postpone the building of the Music Instructional Space and Auditorium project at Greenwich High School, commonly known as MISA, specifically:

1. There is little support for the escalating price tag that this project is costing taxpayers. The latest estimate by the MISA Building Committee is $37 million. There are many who are familiar with the project who privately believe that this project will cost at least $50 million by the time it is completed. While individuals in town may support the concept of MISA there are many who do not support the escalating costs.

2. The proposed town budget for Fiscal Year 2012-13, with a 2.75 mill rate increase, does not guarantee a low tax increase in future fiscal years because of the remediation of MISA and the GHS fields. While those on the Board of Education and other MISA proponents wish to separate MISA from the remediation of the GHS fields, the fact of the matter is that both are intertwined. The unknown remediation costs for the GHS fields will definitely have an impact on future mill rates and additional capital projects. According to the Board of Ed, a more definitive idea of costs with respect to the remediation should become better known in the fall of 2012. There is simply no "downside" to the RTM waiting until these costs are known before approving MISA. The $7 million reserve for cleanup may not be enough, especially now that groundwater contamination has been found.

3. RTM approval is not needed in May for Greenwich to be eligible for the maximum amount of state reimbursement. The reduction in reimbursement that the Board of Ed claims is imminent did not make it into the last proposed legislation and is unlikely to be so for FY 2012-13. There is also a question as to whether the expense of the auditorium is eligible for reimbursement. Either way, the reimbursement amount ($1 million to $4 million, depending on who on the Board of Ed you speak to) does not justify the proposed expenditure and cost overruns that are contemplated by MISA.

4. The BET conditions on their approval of any spending with respect to MISA are not "set in stone" and can be waived or eliminated by the BET without any review by the RTM or other government entity, so there is no guarantee of any such condition being met.

Here are the facts underlying each of these issues:

The Board of Ed has not considered other options with respect to the design of the auditorium and classroom space. They have consistently pointed to "historical errors of the 1969 high school construction" in justifying the cost of MISA. It is great that music enrollment is thriving. There should be improvements to the music space and auditorium. However, Greenwich taxpayers are simply being told by the Board of Ed that this is the best and only option while the board refuses to explore other ideas and designs. This is irresponsible and does not make sense given the additional expenses faced by the need for environmental remediation.

Contrary to the Board of Ed's contention that MISA is not a "money pit," the fact of the matter is that it is quickly becoming one. While the Building Committee has identified and estimated environmental costs related to its construction there has not yet been final sign off by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Without approval by these agencies the Board of Ed cannot say that the environmental remediation and containment that they are proposing will be the best estimate of costs. One "solution" is to build a cofferdam, at an estimated cost of $700,000, to keep contaminated groundwater from the orchestra pit. Without knowing the full impact on the costs, why would anyone on the RTM vote to approve this project?

Taxpayers should understand that while the proposed budget by the BET has a mill rate increase of 2.75 percent for next year that includes MISA it also assumes the postponement of other projects, such as fire protection on King Street, changes to the Holly Hill Transfer Station, the Byram Pool and an upgrade of the police radio communication system. Yet there is no guarantee that these projects will be postponed. Without postponement the 2.75 percent mill rate increase will be a thing of the past.

The RTM's deferral of MISA to at least October of 2012 will not add significant costs to MISA. Even the Board of Ed admits that the bidding environment remains very competitive. Again, there is no "downside" to delaying approval of funds for MISA.

RTM members should vote to postpone MISA and eliminate the $12 million and associated costs earmarked for MISA in the proposed 2012-13 budget until the financial impact of this project plus the remediation of the GHS fields are known.

Karen Fassuliotis is a Greenwich resident and former RTM member.

05/04/12 Byram Bike Recovered

Jonathan Nunez, 18, of 39 Central Ave., Apt. 1, Port Chester, N.Y., was charged Sunday with sixth-degree larceny.

Police responded to the area of 318 Hamilton Ave. after they received a report of a male teenager walking through a yard, police said.

The reporting party told police he saw that a bicycle was missing from the area, and investigation revealed Nunez decided to take the bike and ride it to Armstrong Court, police said.

Nunez posted $100 bond and is scheduled to appear in state Superior Court in Stamford May 7.

04/30/12 Byram Home Invasion Case Nets 8-Year Jail Term

PHOTO:  Wicky Guy Austin McGhee, 46, of Bridgeport, who was arrested in 2008 in connection with a Greenwich home invasion and a string of thefts from parked cars during the summer of 2009, was sentenced last month at state Superior Court in Stamford to a total of eight years in jail. (Police Contributed Photo)

A Bridgeport man arrested last year in connection with a Greenwich home invasion and a string thefts from parked cars during the summer of 2009 was sentenced at state Superior Court in Stamford to a total of eight years in jail.

Wicky Guy Austin McGhee, 46, of Bridgeport, was arrested in June 2011 along with Thomas Haywood, of New Rochelle, N.Y., after police said they used a crowbar to break into a Buena Vista Drive home.

McGhee, who has three Greenwich-related court files, was also charged last year with 11 counts of third-degree burglary and one count of fourth-degree larceny for the 2009 thefts.

McGhee will serve two five-year and one eight-year jail terms concurrently and will face 10 years of special parole following his release.

Following the June home invasion, Haywood and McGhee fled the home after the homeowner dialed 911 and screamed at the intruders from a second-floor stairwell, police said.

A break in the case occurred when the officer noticed an unlocked, unfamiliar Mercedes-Benz in an area of the town's Byram section that had been a hot spot for motor vehicle burglaries, police said at the time. The car's operator returned to the area but fled when he saw police.

Police said officers saw a crowbar in plain view inside the car and executed a search warrant. Evidence taken from the vehicle helped linked the suspects to the break in, police said; they also used video from the Buena Vista Drive home to help identify the suspects.

04/28/12 Greenwich siblings charged after fight

Two Greenwich siblings were charged with disorderly conduct Friday after they got in a fight at their 20 Chestnut St. apartment, police said.

Latasha Parris, 23, and Raynard A. Parris, 26, got into an argument over money that escalated to blows, police said.

Latasha poked her brother in the eye with her finger, her brother shoved her back, and then Latasha punched him in the face, and he again shoved her, police said.

Both siblings were pushing each other and swearing at each other, police said.

04/17/12 Byram Master Plan Approved

Tonight the Planning and Zoning Commission  adopted the Byram Master Plan, a blueprint for development in the community, including creation of waterfront access, traffic and parking improvements.

04/09/12 Byram Park Signs Are Less Than Desirable

Dear Editor,

Who is In charge of the ugly signage at Byram Park.

Byram Park features an array of unattractive, handmade signs with white-stenciled letters on red backgrounds.

 Is there is no budget for signs or a commitment to aesthetics in our park?

Name Withheld

02/23/12 Spaghetti Dinner At New Lebanon School In Byram

The New Lebanon School PTA will host its annual Spaghetti Dinner tomorrow, March 24, from 5 to 8 p.m., at New Lebanon School, 25 Mead Ave.

The evening will include a Pick-a-Prize drawing, two silent auctions and food from Burning Tree Country Club Chef and New Lebanon parent Michael Aguilar.

Cost is $12 adults, $5 children (ages 4-12) and seniors.

Limited seating.

First come, first served.

03/18/12 McKinney Terrace: Byram senior housing complex unveils refreshed, renovated space

PHOTO: From left, Paul Settelmeyer, distric 2 representative town meeting; U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn.; Bernadette Settelmeyer, commissioner of the housing authority; and Tony Johnson, executive director of Greenwich housing authority, at the grand opening ribbon cutting event of the reading room at McKinney Terrace, an affordable senior housing development

Reading room debuts at McKinney Terrace

Marie Lomiento has walked the halls of Byram's McKinney Terrace for nearly a quarter of a century, and now the 88-year-old woman has a new, quiet place to rest her legs.
Lomiento, who has lived in the McKinney Terrace senior housing complex -- formerly Byram School -- since it opened in 1988, was one of a couple dozen seniors, along with U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., on hand Sunday afternoon for the grand opening of the complex's new reading room.

"I love it," Lomiento said, smiling. "It's very pleasant."

Inside the welcoming room, which has polished hardwood floors, soft orange light falls onto powder blue and cream-colored walls. A comfortable leather couch rests in one corner of the space, and a few padded chairs sit on the opposite side of the room.

At the end of the reading room is a large window that looks out upon a set of old stone steps that no longer lead to a door.

Tony Johnson, executive director of the Greenwich Housing Authority, said the steps once led to the entrance of the Byram School building -- where the reading room is situated.
Until a few months ago, before renovation of the room began, the space had mostly been used for storage, Johnson said.

Read more: http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Reading-room-debuts-at-McKinney-Terrace-3416597.php#ixzz1pvtHR1f8

02/29/12 VIEW: Approve Byram Pool planning funds

To the editor:

This letter is about the urgent need for a decent municipal swimming pool, a need that has been apparent for years. To be sure, there now is a pool in Byram, but it is shabby, accommodates only 40 in a town of 61,000, leaks water, and lacks adequate, sanitary restrooms.

Greenwich is the richest town in Connecticut and one of the richest towns in the United States. In the case of the swimming pool, a public-private partnership holds the promise of raising something like half of the needed funds from private sources. How can it be, then, that we don't yet have an acceptable modern facility? How could this disgraceful situation have been allowed to persist? How can it be that, at this late date, there appears to be opposition within the BET to approving funding for design work for a new pool, funding that has the support of the first selectman, who is not known as a big spender?

Well, no one will say that they oppose building a new pool. Yet there are ways of voicing support for a project, while actually standing in the way of its execution: "It's a great idea, but we can't afford it; it's a great idea, but the timing isn't right; it's a great idea, but we need more facts," etc. Some BET members seem to be masters of these lines of reasoning.

The new pool would be located in the most densely populated part of town, in the western part where people need it the most. As an additional benefit, it would take pressure off Tod's Point and relieve traffic congestion in Old Greenwich during the summer months. With private sources ready to pay for something like half and perhaps even more toward the project, how can anyone still stand in the way?

Message to BET: Get on with it!

Gerald A. Pollack
Old Greenwich

02/27/12 GREENWICH TIME: Budget architects balk at $150K for Byram pool

Architects of the town's budget publicly balked at a $150,000 request Monday for the design of a new community pool in Byram, saying that the scope and overall cost of the public-private project need to be fleshed out first.

The Board of Estimate and Taxation Budget Committee shared its concerns about what it characterized as a lack of details about the project with key supporters of the pool initiative, led by the Junior League of Greenwich, during a Town Hall briefing.

Given the finite amount of taxpayer dollars for capital projects and unforeseen soil contamination at Greenwich High School that could cost millions to clean up, committee members said they cannot go forward with funding for the pool design in the near term.

"It sends the wrong signal to the town at this time," said Joseph Pellegrino, the committee's chairman....

Read more: http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/Budget-architects-balk-at-150K-for-Byram-pool-3364418.php#ixzz1nrBTSTlD

02/26/12 GREENWICH TIME: Farricker calls on Dems to side with Tesei on pool money

In a rare moment of consensus between two political nemeses, Democratic Town Committee Chairman Frank Farricker is calling on members of his party to support Republican First Selectman Peter Tesei's proposed budget so a languishing community pool project in Byram won't sink.

During an interview with Greenwich Time, Farricker said that a $150,000 earmark for the pool's design is encountering some pushback by fellow Democrats who serve on the Board of Estimate and Taxation.

"I hope they support Peter Tesei, who put it into the (capital plan) with the intention that it will be funded," Farricker said.

The money will pay for architectural and engineering plans to replace an existing pool in Byram Park, which some estimates have put the price tag at $7 million, a cost that the project's supporters such as the Junior League of Greenwich are seeking to defray through private donations....

Read more: http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/Farricker-calls-on-Dems-to-side-with-Tesei-on-3361403.php#ixzz1nrDxj07G

02/26/12 Byram Neighborhood Association Meeting Tomorrow (Mon, Feb 27)

The BNA meeting agenda, could be important with discussions about making New Lebanon Avenue one-way.

BYRAM NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING

Feb. 27, 2012 7pm

ST PAUL’S FELLOWSHIP HALL

286 DELAVAN AVENUE

============================

MEETING AGENDA

7 pm Welcome and Reading of Last Meeting Minutes

7:05 Announcements and Updates

7:10 Report from Greenwich Police Dept.

7:20 Executive Board Elections

7:30 Strazza Field Proposal, Byram Master Plan Updates

7:40 New Lebanon Avenue Proposal (proposal to make a “One Way”) discussion, position vote

8:10 South Water ST pump Station update proposal to correct Flooding Issues)

8:15 Scheduling of next meeting

8:20 Adjournment

**Agenda subject to change**

02/24/12 Rabbi Mitch's Weekly Teaching

Weekly Teaching By Rabbi Mitchell M. Hurvitz rabbimitch@templesholom.com
AIPAC POLICY CONFERENCE March 4th - 6th, 2012 Washington, DC The annual AIPAC Policy Conference is the largest gathering of the pro-Israel movement. Thousands of participants come from all 50 states to take part in three of the most important days affecting Israel's future. The 2012 conference will be held March 4-6, 2012, in Washington, D.C. Thousands have already registered, don't miss out on this truly remarkable experience to be in our nation's capital with thousands of fellow pro-Israel supporters. Confirmed Speakers: President of the United States Barack Obama Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Israeli President Shimon Peres Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) For more information and to register, visit www.AIPAC.org.
Dear Friends: I hope you will enjoy this beautiful and meaningful reflection on our Sholom Center Misson trip to Israel, written by Alma Rutgers, which was printed in a recent edition of the Greenwich Time. Shabbat shalom -- with peace and blessings -- -- Rabbi Mitch Weekly Teaching Parashat Terumah Friday, February 24th, 2012 Tel Aviv, Israel -- There are forty-eight of us traversing the Land of Israel, including eight children. We are Jews and Christians on a trip organized by the Sholom Center for Interfaith Learning and Fellowship. The center was co-founded two years ago by Temple Sholom's Rabbi Mitchell "Mitch" Hurvitz and the Reverend Jim Lemler of Christ Church. It is intended to expand opportunities for those of all faiths to learn, study and socialize in meaningful ways. Rabbi Mitch describes this trip as an opportunity for Christians and Jews to share each other's narratives. This anchors us in our own faith, while leading to an appreciation of the other. We are each on our own path as we "climb God's Holy Mountain," says Rabbi Mitch. "We can help one another if we stumble." The Reverend Lemler says that, from his Christian perspective, an interfaith trip is more powerful than a purely Christian Holy Land trip. It provides greater depth and helps non-Jews understand the complexity of the issues Israel faces. It's his hope the center will make this interfaith experience more widely available in the Greenwich community. A high point in our shared experience was Natalie Lilien's Bat Mitzvah at Masada. By becoming Bat Mitzvah, Natalie strengthened the long chain of Jewish continuity in a setting where that chain could have been broken nearly 2,000 years ago when the Romans crushed the Jewish revolt. Inspired, I began my column at the spa where we stopped for lunch and a swim following the Bat Mitzvah, before we left the Judean Desert for the Galilee. As I wrote, I looked across the still, mineral-laden, salt-heavy Dead Sea toward the Jordanian shore. This body of water, at 1,368 feet below sea level, is the lowest point on Earth. The next morning, continuing to write, I watched a sunrise over the gently lapping waters of Lake Kinneret, Israel's only natural freshwater lake and a major water source, also known as the Sea of Galilee. Now finishing my column, I watch the waters of the Mediterranean break in crashing white waves on the sandy beach below. The sea, in ever-changing shades of green and blue-gray, meets a cloudy sky at the distant horizon. This is the view from my room in the Tel Aviv hotel where we are staying on the last leg of this 10-day journey. I marvel at the diversity of terrain in this tiny land, barely larger than New Jersey. From the lowest point on Earth to snow-capped mountain peaks, from the Negev Desert to the fertile Jezreel Valley and the Galilee's lush green, from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, this Promised Land is a special land. Over the centuries, millions of Christians have flocked here because it's the land of Jesus. One can follow the Christian messiah, or Christ, from cradle to grave. The word "Christ" is simply the Greek translation of the Hebrew "moshiach," or anointed one, which refers to an anointed king. Jews, on the other hand, are drawn to this land because it's our ancestral homeland, promised by God to Abraham and Abraham's progeny. This eternal homeland is at the core of the Jewish experience across the millennia. The land cannot be separated from the people. We began our travels together, as Jews and Christians, in Jerusalem experiencing Shabbat at the Western Wall. We toured the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which marks the place of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. The Reverend Lemler offered an ecumenical prayer, invoking light, life and compassion. We recited Havdalah at the close of Shabbat, standing in a circle and singing "Elijah the Prophet," arms around one another. We went to Bethlehem where the Church of the Nativity marks Jesus' birthplace and to Nazareth, where the Church of the Annunciation commemorates the story of Jesus' miraculous conception. At Capernaum and the Mount of the Beatitudes, we encountered the Jewish Jesus in his original setting and reflected on our common Jewish roots. I'm thinking, perhaps in some small way, interfaith endeavors like this can help realize Isaiah's prophetic vision in which nation shall no longer lift up sword against nation, nor learn war any more. But then I remember I'm in the Middle East, and the vision slips away. Alma Rutgers has served in Greenwich town government for the past 25 years. Her blog is at http://blog.ctnews.com/rutgers/.
Temple Sholom 300 E. Putnam Avenue Greenwich, CT 06830 203-869-7191