The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Cover Stories

Mount Kisco Resident Ellen Portman’s Genealogy Trip to Eastern Europe

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Interior of Nozyk Synagogue in Warsaw, Poland. The synagogue survived only because the German troops used it as their stables PHOTO BY ELLEN PORTMAN

Ancestry tourism or roots tourism is an increasing trend in the travel industry thanks to genealogy websites such as ancestry.com and 23andme.com. The rise of popular TV shows such as TLC’s Who Do You Think You Are, PBS’ Finding Your Roots and CNN’s Roots has also sparked interest in genealogy, self-discovery and tourism.

Mount Kisco resident Ellen Portman who grew up in Armonk took a genealogy trip this summer with her parents, two sisters and brother-inlaw to Eastern Europe to the “Pale of Settlement”, a geographic area where Jews had flourished for many years prior to the Holocaust. They were accompanied by a genealogical tour guide based out of Poland, Adam Zalewski.

Portman visited cities such as Riga, Warsaw and Krakow which she noted were beautiful and had gorgeous town squares where European Jewry once thrived but today only a few hundred or thousand remain. “No one returned after the war.”

Although Portman’s immediate ancestors had emigrated to the US in the early 1920s, she had always thought that her family hailed from Russia but national boundaries evolved in the Pale of Settlement area and her ancestors actually came from the nations of present day Latvia, Poland and Belarus.

A major highlight of the trip was finding the home they believe where Portman’s maternal great grandmother lived in the town of Daugavpils in Lithuania. They also traveled to Ostrow Mazowiecka in Poland where Portman’s father’s ancestors lived. The town was once two-thirds Jewish and during the Holocaust was the site of a mass shooting on November 11, 1939 when 500 Jews were shot and buried in a mass grave.

Portman was also struck by the fact that there were many memorials to the Holocaust that were prominent in the cities that she visited but there would also be hidden memorials that would also pay tribute to victims of the war. “Some were down a woodsy path with overgrown grass that you would only know about if you were looking for them.”

Her trip included a visit to Auschwitz. “There were hundreds of people getting off buses to tour it. But actually being there as opposed to reading about it is something else.” She was glad to see that many of the visitors there were not Jewish and still eager to learn about the Holocaust. Ultimately the trip inspired her to learn more about her family’s past and when she returned home, she enjoyed telling her three sons about her family’s ancestral background and showing them photos along with historical documents.

Ellen Portman, second from right

Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program Celebrates 50th Anniversary and Leaves a Lasting Impact on Participants & Host Families

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Fifty years ago a group of concerned New Castle residents launched the Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program (CSSP). They were passionate believers in civil rights and following the aftermath of the Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy assassinations they were hoping to do something on a local level to help academically motivated students in New York City who didn’t have access to the same opportunities as students in Chappaqua. They wanted to share New Castle’s good schools and tranquil suburban setting with these students to offer them a path to academic success which would hopefully lead to subsequent careers at a time when New York City schools were facing an educational crisis.

From Shakespeare to Digital Storytelling

Little did they know that when they set out to create this program, it would still be in existence five decades later and now thriving as a non-profit that has hosted more than 400 students since its inception. Currently students in the program make a three-year commitment to participate in it each summer during the month of July. They are hosted by New Castle families who provide housing during the week while the students participate in an academic enrichment program that includes classes in diverse subjects such as Shakespeare with actors from the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival at Boscobel to digital storytelling at the Jacob Burns Film Center located in Pleasantville.

Originally the program took place at Horace Greeley High School during the school’s summer school program, where both CSSP and Chappaqua students attended classes taught by Greeley teachers. When the Board of Education decided to disband the summer school program in 2008, due to declining enrollment, CSSP had to overhaul the program. Curriculum changes were implemented along with sourcing their own instructors, under the leadership of then chairperson Diane Albert.

Nancy Stein, a Chappaqua resident who has been involved with CSSP for more than 40 years and is currently an ex-officio CSSP board member has seen the program morph over the years. “We’ve always been insistent that the classes that the children take introduce them to something new that they otherwise wouldn’t have experienced.”

Shaping the CSSP Program

Fran Alexander, a board member and creative writing instructor with CSSP, and a 30-year resident of Chappaqua was one of the people involved with the program when it was undergoing its transformation ten years ago. Although it was a lot more “labor intensive” for the CSSP board members, it also gave them a chance to shape the program and reach out to local institutions such as the Jacob Burns Film Center which resulted in a partnership with them.

Swimming and tennis lessons have always been a mainstay of the program since its inception. “These are social sports and we have had many students come back to us and say how glad they were to learn tennis. Many of the CSSP students have not had much exposure to swimming,” explained Stein. They take swim lessons at the Saw Mill Club and tennis lessons at the Seven Bridges Field Club. To help round out the experience this summer, they also participated in additional activities such as mini-golf and bowling.

(L-R): Raimatou Abdouloye, Javaughn Headley, Stefan Laroche, Ellen Adnopoz, Nancy Stein, Nancy Silver, Vera Abrafi Kyeremeh, Joshua Oppong-Peprah

Although the program only lasts four weeks with the students rotating between host families for two week sessions, its impact is long lasting for both the CSSP students and their host families. Many keep in touch throughout the year and even through college and beyond. Ellen Adnopoz, a CSSP co-chair, points out how much the alumni are still dedicated to the program. Ten alumni spoke at this year’s orientation and several showed up to cheer the students on and participate in another summer ritual, the softball game. “We just can’t seem to separate from CSSP participants and that’s exactly the way we like it.” Some alums have even gone on to serve on the board.

A Formative Experience for All Involved

Vera Abrafi Kyeremeh is a third year CSSP student who attends Collegiate Institute for Math and Science, one of two Bronx high schools that the majority of CSSP students attend. She recently emigrated from Ghana and was reunited with her mother after 13 years apart. “CSSP is a huge opportunity for me. It opened my eyes and made me realize that there is more to life than just going to school. The host families care so much. Two weeks may seem like nothing but getting a place to sleep and waking up and seeing their faces and getting picked up by your family–that builds a connection. They interact with you and ask how your day went and that’s where the connections are made.”

Melissa Labelson Levine, a Millwood resident has hosted Vera for the past three years. Although hosting the same student each summer is not typical, Vera and the Levine family share a special bond. “It has been amazing and she is part of our family. This program has really helped her blossom. When she first came to us she was very introverted but this year she is much more outgoing and she has mentored and taken the first year CSSP students under her wing.” Levine stays in touch with Vera throughout the school year and she has come up for the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival and other events.

Samantha Mortlock has also provided her home as a host family for two years and now serves as a CSSP board member.

“I was absolutely drawn to CSSP because of the opportunity to expose my family to people who don’t come from the same background. To be able to welcome these students into our home is a very great gift for my family. It has helped open our eyes to what is going on only 20 miles away from us.”

Many of the students don’t feel supported or safe in their schools. The issue of school safety was apparent in a recent film screening that the CSSP students unveiled at the culmination of their film class that they took at the Jacob Burns Film Center. The students were asked to develop films that focused on various topics and one was people’s perceptions of the Bronx. In the short film, the CSSP students addressed the positives and negatives of their neighborhoods.

“To give the CSSP students an opportunity where they are completely supported and completely safe for a month and have all the resources to just be able to learn and diversify their experience is amazing. It is great for the students but it also is a really great and eye opening experience for the families,” explained Mortlock.

Nancy Silver has been a CSSP board member for more than two decades and is a co-chair of the program. “This summer I realized that the magic of having these young people at our home impacts all of us and never grows old. While driving on July 4th, one of the students that we hosted had never seen fireworks before and was amazed by the beauty of seeing something so incredible for the first time. We take so much for granted. Everyone says we change lives giving these kids a wonderful summer for three years but the power of this program is far greater for all of us who live in Chappaqua.”

This year, Mortlock was charged with recruiting additional host families. Although she has two young children of her own (ages 5 ½ and 7), she reached out to several families in her daughter’s class and was able to secure additional host families. “Many had never heard of the program.

I think the default is when you have young kids, you think you can’t add any more to your plate. But it really is only two weeks and a minor inconvenience relative to the amount that you are giving to these students and what your family will get out of it.”

Even the youngest children involved with CSSP gain benefits by being part of a host family. Reese Gilvar, an incoming third grader at Roaring Brook Elementary has enjoyed hosting Raimatou and playing Monopoly with her. “My mom is teaching me to be kind and open to other people and to not go on devices when you have guests.”

Ket Hollingsworth, a first year CSSP student feels that living with a host family was a great experience. “It was scary at first but it taught me some important things like how to conduct yourself and make social connections. It also taught me that impressions count. I can’t leave my room a mess for my host family but I do at home,” he laughed.

The host families play a crucial role in the success of the program. “Every one of the kids that comes to the program is just as bright as the kids in Chappaqua. I think the big difference for them is family. Sitting down to a table and eating dinner with the expectation of you participating, that’s what the host families are all about,” explains Stein who will soon be honored in a 50th anniversary celebration for CSSP at the Mount Kisco Country Club on November 4th. Tickets are available at www.chappaquasummerscholarship.com/50th-anniversary

Stein, who organized housing for the students for many years recounts how she still keeps in touch with some of the students she hosted more than thirty years ago. Some of them have become engineers, lawyers, technology consultants and educators. In fact, students from the CSSP program have attended wonderful colleges such as Babson, Brandeis, City College, Dartmouth, Fordham, Howard, Hunter, RPI, SUNY Albany, Binghamton and Stony Brook, Trinity, UVM, Vassar and Wesleyan.

Left CSSP graduate Vera Abrafi Kyeremeh with host family member Meri Levine on right
PHOTO COURTESY OF MELISSA LABELSON LEVINE

What’s on the Horizon for CSSP

As the program looks toward the future, CSSP is looking at ways to ensure a successful college admissions process. This year Alexander and Young Adult author Phyllis Shalant, who co-teach the creative writing class planned a personal essay session utilizing the top five college essays published by The New York Times. “Our class analyzed why they were chosen.” Alexander finds it very rewarding to work with the students over a three-year period “Not only do I see them grow up but also their writing  matures.” Alexander hopes that the class is preparing them to write a great college essay.

In recent years, the program has made a concerted effort to offer more college counseling. Students are offered college essay help, SAT preparation and tours of local colleges such as Manhattanville and once admitted, a generous book stipend. “Some of our CSSP students are the first generation in their families to attend college and we want to help them succeed in college and ensure their graduation,” explains Adnopoz. “To that end, we are making college success more of a focus.”

This past August, CSSP organized its first annual college transition day for students entering college this fall and rising sophomores. The half-day workshop featured a facilitator from the Posse Foundation, a national preeminent college success program. The workshop focused on topics such as high school versus college expectations, navigating imposter syndrome, understanding Myers Briggs types and work styles, selecting courses, time management, managing stress and navigating campus resources and financial aid.

In the coming months, CSSP hopes to begin a formal mentoring program and also a Young Leadership Circle in New York City where CSSP alumni can brainstorm about professional development, network and potentially advise college students on careers.

CSSP students have in different years also heard keynote addresses at graduation from an array of inspiring and noteworthy speakers   including this year’s Carlos Lejnieks of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Essex, Sussex and  Union Counties NJ, who emphasized the importance of mentoring. Last year, alum Kenneth Padilla addressed the graduates. In past years, Chappaqua’s Bill and Hillary Clinton have each respectively addressed the graduates, too.

Adnopoz is proud of her involvement with the program. “It’s one of the best things about living in Chappaqua. As far as we know, we are the only community in Westchester doing this type of program.” Fellow board member Stein agrees and is hoping that the program continues to thrive. “It would be very sad if CSSP didn’t exist anymore in Chappaqua.”

CSSP is at its heart a grassroots initiative, financially supported through contributions from the Chappaqua community and beyond, primarily from two annual appeal letters. The November 4th event will be the first time the CSSP board has organized a fundraising event of this magnitude. The goal is to help CSSP continue thriving for another 50 years.

For more information, visit chappaquasummerscholarship.com

What CSSP Means to Me: Alumni Perspectives

Inside Chappaqua asked CSSP alumni what the program means to them. It is clear from their responses that this four-week program has a long-lasting impact and was a formative experience for them.

Mary Diaz

J.D. Candidate, Fordham University School of Law

CSSP Student: 2005-2008

Diaz is currently a rising second year law student at Fordham University School of Law where she is a Stein Scholar and involved with the Fordham Environmental Law Review, Moot Court, and the Latin American Law Student Association. Before law school, she was a paralegal with the United States Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York for three years in the Securities and Commodities Fraud unit.

It has been 10 years since I have graduated from the program and the Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program continues to be a second family and home away from home. CSSP has been with me every step of the way and through every stage of my life from my teenage days to my college days to study abroad days, relationships, my first job out of college, through adulting, and the law school application process. As the first person in my family to graduate from college having CSSP as a resource has been invaluable. I know that I can always count on CSSP and I am forever grateful for all that CSSP has done.

The Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program is an invaluable program that truly changes lives. It determined where I went to college thanks to a host brother who spoke to me about a fantastic liberal arts university I had never heard of, which ended up giving me the best four years of my life. CSSP is a reflection of the power of access to information and knowledge for the underprivileged. It provided and continues to provide a network that does not exist for people of my means. CSSP welcomed me, a stranger, with open arms, and has offered nothing but love, acceptance, support, inspiration, and guidance. I truly do not know where I would be without the program.

Taralyn R. Frasqueri-Molina

Senior Product Portfolio Manager – Legendary Digital Networks

Molina leads teams who build things in the geek and gamer digital streaming space for this California-based company.

CSSP Student: 1992-1994

CSSP taught me there was much more in the world than what was in my own hometown. For some of us attending the program, it may have been the furthest away from home we’d ever gone, and it encouraged us to go even further. CSSP showed me that you never know where you are going to find the things you are going to fall in love with–in three years of summer school, in the homes of strangers, in the faces of new friends, in your own backyard with a new set of eyes. You go, and you return forever changed.

I’d like to think that 24 years later I’m not exaggerating till things become mythic, but CSSP was a profound experience for me. I attribute a lot of that to Mrs. Stein. It was accidental we even met in the first place, as I remember it. My assigned host family became unexpectedly unavailable. And in that coincidental moment, the golden thread that would stretch between us over decades, was designed. I didn’t know it then, I wonder if she did, but Mrs. Stein would become a singularity in my life, a catalyst for irreversible change. Her absolute belief in the strength I already had inside, her unwavering trust that I could make the right decisions and figure out my own path, became part of the foundation, started by my mother, that I continue to use (even in my 40s!) to grow through struggle into illuminated understanding and compassionate action.

Dr. Peter Mercredi, PhD.

Senior Scientist in the Department of Therapeutics Products and Quality at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Facility

CSSP Student:  2000-2002

Dr. Mercredi obtained his Bachelor’s degree from CCNY and his doctoral degree in Biochemistry from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Outside of the lab, Peter enjoys biking, hiking, running and spending time with his wife and daughter.

As a 2002 CSSP alum, Dr. Mercredi always reflects on the opportunities he was afforded that otherwise would not be possible. “I had met so many wonderful families and friends during my summer escapes from the Big Apple. These adventurers were filled with learning and new experiences that contributed to my success in a very competitive world. I loved all my host families and enjoyed learning from the many teachers, especially Mr. Furey. One of the many things I will always remember is the welcoming smiling faces from all the organizers as we unloaded from the MetroNorth each Sunday evening. The leadership from people like Mrs. Linda Peterson, Mrs. Nancy Stein, to current board chairs Mrs. Ellen Adnopoz and Mrs. Nancy Silver, are what make this program so successful after a half century.

Alan Salas

Environmental Engineer, Arcadis

A graduate of Dartmouth College, Salas has been working as a water resources engineer at Arcadis for five years supporting coastal resiliency efforts in NYC.

CSSP Student: 2006-2008

One of my greatest accomplishments as an engineer was being part of a team that helped to build a floodwall and levee at a wastewater treatment plant deeply affected by Superstorm Sandy. In my personal life, I recently moved to the DC metro area and married my college sweetheart this past spring.

CSSP means family to me. I’m still in touch with my host parents, some of whom have become friends and mentors. I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for the program. They have helped me achieve significant milestones and continue to provide support to this day.

Josee Vedrine-Pauléus

Professor of Engineering at University of Puerto Rico-Humacao

CSSP Student: 1992-1994 and current Board Member

There’s so much emotion and good memories that CSSP brings to mind. CSSP has marked me for life.  Host families taught me the importance of family time, especially around the dinner table. Mrs. Stein, the late Mrs. Peterson, and others provided me with compassionate feedback and encouragement to be my very best; the outdoor/recreational activities opened my world beyond academics and all this with my fellow CSSP classmates to cheer me along during those tough teenage years, WOW!

Recently our family returned home to Puerto Rico, after seven months of being uprooted as a result of Hurricane Maria. Our 6-year-old son never felt at home when we lived in Providence, RI, and constantly prayed for us to return. Upon opening our doors, I realized that ‘There’s really no place like home.”

As cliché as that saying may be, I want to parallel it to what CSSP meant to me. CSSP was an academic program but was also “home” during those three summers. The real gem and cornerstone of CSSP is the realization that an unknown could be welcomed into the home of an equally unknown and form a type of lifetime bond that is found only in a loving family setting. Once I understood that I was at “home,” the academic took care of its self, and I was able to thrive in every aspect, along with my fellow classmates, to exceed all expectations.

CSSP’s founders are true visionaries in the holistic approach taken to design an academically enriching program where the home and host families are at its core; yet I don’t think even they had an idea of the profound impact CSSP would have 50 years later on in so many lives.

I am blessed to have been a part, and grateful for so many who welcomed me “home” week after week, after week.

Snapshots from CSSP Graduation

CSSP celebrates 50th anniversary with cake
Graduation guest speaker, Carlos Lejnieks, CEO of Big Brother Big Sisters (Essex, Husdon, & Union Counties) with students
Sheptin Tutoring Services receives thanks
CSSP graduate Vera Abrafi Kyeremeh with her famliy and host family members
Host family Kristin Miles with her daughter and student, Adamaris Lopez
Gratitude for creative writing teachers Phyllis Shalant and Fran Alexander
PHOTOS BY CAROLYN SIMPSON/DOUBLEVISION PHOTOGRAPHY

New Castle Town Board Pushes for Action on Gun Violence Prevention

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In the aftermath of the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, which left 17 people dead, New Castle Town Board members sent two separate letters to New York State Senator, Terrence Murphy (R-NY, District 40) seeking his support on a slate of gun control measures. The letters dated February 16, 2018 and March 28, 2018 make specific references to proposed bills currently under consideration in the New York State Senate.

In the letter dated February 16, the Town Board cited three examples of how gun violence has impacted the Chappaqua community over a span of approximately 20 years. The letter went on to request Senator Murphy’s support for certain measures, such as legislation that keeps firearms out of the hands of those who have been convicted of domestic violence charges and the surrender of shotguns and rifles when an order of protection is issued in a domestic violence case.

In a follow-up letter dated March 28, the Town Board sought Senator Murphy’s support of nine proposed bills that would strengthen the SAFE Act (New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act of 2013). The SAFE Act prevents criminals and the mentally ill from purchasing firearms, requires a universal background check on gun purchases and imposes the toughest assault weapons ban in the country. Some examples of the proposed bills to bolster the SAFE Act include a ban of bump stocks, stronger background checks and allowing the state government to access mental health record from the home state of non-resident gun license applicants. New Castle Town Supervisor, Robert Greenstein stated: “We are firmly committed to advocating for stronger and more effective gun control laws.  This requires the assistance and cooperation of our state representatives, which is why we wrote the letter.”

According to a February, 2018 NBC News poll, 66% of people favor stricter gun laws in the country, with nine out of 10 Americans agreeing for universal background checks. As cited by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, from 2012-2016, an average of 116,255 people are shot every year due to guns, while 96 fatalities result from gun violence every day.

New Castle Council Member Ivy Pool noted that at least three public meetings addressing gun violence have been held since February and that the town has also held events to raise awareness. For example, on March 3rd, Mom’s Demand Action gathered at Chappaqua Station to discuss opportunities for local area residents to get involved in the efforts to end gun violence on the local, State, and Federal level. Over 50 people attended.

When asked to comment about his stance on combatting gun violence, Senator Murphy’s Director of Communication, Michael Jefferson stated: “Senator Murphy will continue building productive partnerships with schools, community organizations, and his fellow legislators to ensure every child who enters the doors of a school can do so with the peace of mind that they are and will remain safe.” Jefferson outlined a multitude of bills that Murphy is sponsoring in order to combat gun violence.

For example, Bill S7811, would establish a School Resource Officer (SRO) education program to reimburse school districts outside of New York City and $50,000 for the hiring of a SRO. In addition, Senator Murphy also proposed Bill S7813 which makes school shootings an act of domestic terrorism and Bill S7790 that provides state education aid for school district that expend resources to improve security and safety technology. However, Council Member Pool stated that while Senator Murphy’s office acknowledged receipt of the February 16th letter, there were no specific responses to the Town Board’s requests. “It was unclear whether Senator Murphy supported the gun violence prevention legislation for which we were advocating,” Pool stated.

As well as seeking support from the New York State Senate for the slate of gun control bills, the Town Board has been working on local measures to strengthen gun control in New Castle. Pool has presented her fellow Council Members with a package of local legislative proposals and laws that they can pass to promote gun safety within the community. “We are currently researching these ideas, and determining their legality and applicability for our town. The first proposal we are tackling is the regulation of gun shops, which might include both the location of FFL (Federal Firearms License) dealers as well as local licensing.”

Greenstein stated, “The Town Board firmly believes that gun control, and making sure our schools remain safe, are local issues… we will continue to lobby for legislative changes on the state level that will make New Castle safer.”

Greeley Grad Raises Money for Women in Kore, Ethiopia on Cross-Country Bike Trip

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On a sweltering Thursday in July, Horace Greeley ’10 grad James Rosenberg missed a phone call from a reporter.

“I ended yesterday in Hell’s Canyon,” he explained later. “They say it’s named that due to the heat but I suspect it’s due to lack of cell signal.” Ultimately though, Rosenberg proved pretty reachable for a guy on the last two weeks of a cross-country bike trip.

Rosenberg was close to achieving his goals: the completion of a ride from Yorktown, VA to Astoria, OR and his fundraising aim of $20,000 to benefit Ethiopian women in the community of Kore, Ethiopia, through a charity called ‘I Pour Life.’ Kore is a community located on a garbage dump on the outskirts of Ethiopia’s capital city, Addis Ababa and has 100,000 residents. Many of these marginalized residents are widows, orphans and HIV/AIDS victims.

A Novice Biker

After attending Emory University in Georgia and working in corporate strategy first for Dollar Tree and then, back in New York, for JP Morgan, Rosenberg decided to get his MBA. “About two to two-and-a-half years ago I started the process of applying to business school and to keep myself sane, I planned a big trip,” Rosenberg said. He cast about for ideas and just kept coming back to consider a bike trip. “I was not a bike rider–I had to buy the bike to do this,” he added.

So Rosenberg began talking to friends about it and was put in touch with a friend’s cousin who had done an earlier ride to benefit the women of Kore. The idea felt right. “To me, it made a lot of sense to do the Ride for Kore,” Rosenberg said. ‘The Ride for Kore’ helps set up individual Ethiopian women with the security, training and financing they need to start small businesses and be self-supporting. The business-training aspect particularly resonated with Rosenberg as he headed toward business school. “It was such a perfect parallel for me I knew I had to do it,” he said.

The Training Process

In March of 2017 Rosenberg bought the bike and began to train in his New York City apartment for an hour each morning. “I was more or less sitting on my bike watching Netflix,” he said.

His upbringing in Chappaqua had prepared him to take on a long ride. “Chappaqua is definitely a town where endurance sports are big–at least they were in my life,” Rosenberg said. “I was a cross-country runner in high school so I definitely thought it’s not how fast you go as much as how long you go.”

On April 29 of this year Rosenberg began his journey. Unlike most road bikers in our area, his bike is laden with four panniers (“they’re basically saddlebags like a motorcyclist or a horseback rider would have,” he said), a sleeping mat, a tent and a place to view maps up front. That’s how he navigates–with maps provided by the Adventure Cycling Association. He pitches his tent in parks where allowed, or in other more rustic locations, and occasionally sleeps in the basements of certain churches that are open to all.

Enjoying the Ride

Rosenberg generally rides six to seven hours a day. “It sounds a bit boring but it’s incredible. You are powering yourself so every inch you go is up to you. I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy each ride,” he said. “I thought that what would get me through would be music or podcasts but mostly I just listen to the sounds of nature.” When he does turn to technology for a little entertainment, Rosenberg’s favorites include NPR, classic rock and Jack Reacher novels.

Besides the ride, Rosenberg also said he enjoyed meeting so many friendly people from all across the land. “I have become such a big fan of this country, not that I wasn’t before,” he said. “Once you get out here everyone is incredibly friendly and so many people have gone out of their way to help me” with advice, dinners and even places to stay. “I’m very thankful,” Rosenberg added.

But while he’s enjoyed seeing the country, Rosenberg is clear about the main benefit of his voyage. “This ride is for Kore,” he said. “That’s the stated mission.” Rosenberg will be accepting donations at rideforkore.com for a while following the completion of his journey, which is scheduled to end on or around July 27. At press time, he had raised more than $15,000 toward his goal.

Bronx Lacrosse Greeley Alumn’s Efforts to Empower Students In the Classroom & On the Field

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAN LEVENTHAL

Horace Greeley grad Dan Leventhal (‘10) loves lacrosse. He played it in high school and continued on at Tufts University, where he won a national championship and majored in sociology. Now, he’s brought his favorite sport to the South Bronx, where he says it has the power to change the lives of local kids for the better, both on the playing field and in the classroom.

Leventhal spent some time in Israel after graduating from college and from there, he joined Teach for America and was assigned to The Highbridge Green School, a middle school in the South Bronx. He just finished his third year there teaching math to eighth graders.

In 2015, Leventhal decided to start a lacrosse program at the school, and he launched it in the spring of 2016, at Highbridge Green, a school he says is located in the poorest congressional district in America.

“The kids all love lacrosse,” Leventhal said. “In the South Bronx, everyone’s playing basketball. It gives them uniqueness and a chance to differentiate themselves. It’s a fast-paced sport, combinging basketball, football and soccer,” Leventhal added.

“These kids have so much going on at home,” he added. “This gives them a release.” And that’s what Leventhal’s aim is: to help the lacrosse scholars, as they are called, deal with their lives successfully.

And Leventhal said so far, outcomes of program participation have shown positive results, including better attendance, punctuality and higher achievement in various markers of reading and math learning on average when Bronx Lacrosse scholars are compared with other students at Highbridge Green. In order to participate in the program, a certain grade point average is required, Leventhal said. “I don’t think that’s a coincidence,” the principal of The Highbridge Green School has said of the achievements of the Bronx Lacrosse scholars.

Last spring and fall, a girls’ program was added at The Highbridge Green School and there’s also a Bronx Lacrosse program now at another local middle school.

While lacrosse is a spring sport, Bronx Lacrosse has the student athletes training in the fall also, Leventhal said, and even during the summer. “What we’ve done this summer is gotten our kids scholarships at different lacrosse camps. It’s a great opportunity for them,” he said, adding that next year Bronx Lacrosse will be looking for even more camp opportunities and also aiming to find sponsors to help foot the bill for the kids to go on fall trips to play lacrosse with teams from other programs. Bronx Lacrosse has already traveled to Connecticut and to Chappaqua.

“It is a lacrosse organization, but the mission is to keep kids out of the streets and create positive outcomes,” Leventhal said. “It’s an organization that aims to empower youth in the classroom and on the field.” To that end, Bronx Lacrosse has two full-time program coordinators besides Leventhal.

Anyone interested in the initiative can watch Highbridge: A Bronx Lacrosse Story on YouTube and check out the program’s website at bronxlacrosse.org.

This past year, besides growing his organization and teaching math,  Leventhal played in the World Lacrosse Championship as a midfielder for Israel’s team, which placed 7th of 45. “Some of our games were on ESPN so it was exciting for the kids to watch me,” Leventhal said. “And make fun of me.”

Most funding for the program currently comes from money distributed from each school’s principal as well as from NYC’s after-school program, Leventhal said, but as he transitions to full-time with Bronx Lacrosse he will be focusing on developing other fundraising sources.

Of his latest plans, Leventhal said “Fundraising is a major priority. We’re going to have a big fundraiser, probably next spring.” Leventhal said his desire to give back is motivated in part by his upbringing in Chappaqua. “I had a lot of opportunity growing up,” he said. “My parents always got me whatever I needed for sports. That’s our goal here–to make these things accessible to these kids.”