Friday, March 9, 2012

DISPATCHES FROM INTERIM WEEK 5772 DAY 3


Wednesday, March 7, 2012
This intrepid reporter forgot to tell you about the evening activities over the first two days!  Monday there was an SGA dance that was enjoyed by all.  Tuesday a few students joined Ms. Taragin and Morah Rosen to present the coveted “Best Hamentaschen in Pikesville” award to Pariser’s, after extensive taste-testing by the entire school community during the Megillah study periods in the weeks leading up to Purim (see separate articles and pictures).
Day 3 was perhaps our most exciting yet.  We began with a lecture by Dr. Ari Roth, a favorite speaker of the Cardin School, and a professor of political science at Johns Hopkins University.  He spoke about the historical relationship between Jews and Muslims (prior to Zionism – the more recent history to be covered on Friday).  Following this, we loaded into buses and went down to the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore, where we saw a special screening of “Journey to Mecca” – which featured actual footage of the 2007 hajj – an amazing sight (and one which we as non-Muslims would never be able to see in person).  Then it was on to the Islamic Society of Baltimore, which is not only a mosque, but a Muslim community center, day school, and afternoon/Sunday school.  From 30 families twenty years ago, it has grown to over 10,000 members.  The K-12 day school is growing so quickly that the high school can only serve one gender (and they chose girls!).    We got a tour of both the school and the prayer area (all our female students and faculty bedecked in scarves) from the president of the congregation, and got a chance to ask him many questions.
School dismissed early for Ta’anit Esther.

No comments:

Post a Comment