Dear Friends,
In this newsletter, we celebrate new beginnings: “Plenty of Courage,” our new performance for high schools and universities; the start of the new school year, with reflections from a school leader; a young tree growing in Spokane, WA, at a middle school named for Carla Peperzak, a Dutch Jewish rescuer who knew Margot Frank.
We are also nearing the Jewish High Holidays, a time of reflection and renewal, a moment to think about the past year, our individual actions and responsibilities, and a chance to be written into the book of life.
Anne wrote sparingly about religious holidays in her diary, but her entries as time went on in hiding show an increasing belief in God and her growing pride in being Jewish.
Be brave! Let’s remember our duty and perform it without complaint. There will be a way out. God has never deserted our people. Through the ages Jews have had to suffer, but through the ages they’ve gone on living, and the centuries of suffering have only made them stronger. The weak shall fall and the strong shall survive and not be defeated!
-Anne M, Frank, April 11, 1944
May Anne Frank’s strength inspire us all to be our true selves, to remain hopeful, and to stand up for each other. Let us indeed be brave and strong!
To those who celebrate, we wish you a shanah tovah u-metukah, a good and sweet year.
Sincerely,
Lauren A. Bairnsfather
