Northbrook Rabbi Reacts To Hazing Incident
As our community grapples with the unwanted national attention from the recent incidents at Glenbrook North, it seems that all the attention has been focused on seeking proper disciplinary action, designing new rules and pointing the finger of blame.
Lost in all this is a search for something more fundamental; a unified approach that erases the environment that leads some youngsters to act so cruelly and prevents others from so desperately seeking approval that they will tolerate abuse.
As a community member and Rabbi in Northbrook, I have reflected deeply on what has befallen our community and how I can help. I have contacted the principal of Glenbrook North and offered my services. Here are some of my thoughts.
School is more than preparation for making a living; it should be preparation for making a life. A life filled with direction and purpose.
In addition to teaching the three “R’s;” teachers must instruct impressionable students in the fourth “R” – reason. Reason to modify conduct in accordance with civility, reason to rein in youthful impulses, and reason to get up each morning and face the enormous tasks that lie before each of us.
When a seventeen year old severely beats another student, this teen is calling out for an identity.
When an adolescent kneels before other students who heap garbage upon her, this youngster is crying out for validation.
More than twenty years ago the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, issued a call to institute a moment of silence before the beginning of each school day. A time for each child to reflect on the values their parents have taught them at home. A moment to contemplate that there is more to life than good grades and the “right” clothes, cars and crowd.
Imagine the difference it would make if, before each day’s rigorous schedule of classes, lunchroom politics and homework, a child reflected on why she is at school, marveled at the gift of education and appreciated the dedication of teachers and coaches.
Awareness that there is an “eye that sees and an ear that hears and all our deeds are recorded in a book” (Ethics of our Fathers) gives each child both the motivation and reverence to approach the day with meaning.
As our children compete for grades, varsity sports teams and social acceptance, they should be reminded that G‑d is watching and G‑d is with them.
Knowing that G‑d is watching over her and is concerned with her mundane life reminds a child that she is precious, even if the cool kids won’t talk to her.
When a young man wants to make the football team and doesn’t have the muscle power, dangerous supplements providing instantaneous bulk won’t seem as tempting in light of G‑d’s power. The strongest antidote to peer pressure is a strong sense of self, knowing that G‑d is with him gives him the security needed to “just say no.”
When a high school student is desperate to be valedictorian and doesn’t know the answer on the physics test, awareness of G‑d’s watchful eye reminds her that getting into Harvard does not trump ethical behavior and copying the answer from a friend’s test is not acceptable.
Imagine the dinner table discussions spurred by the moment of silence as children ask their parents: “What should I think about?” When we deposit our children at the schoolyard gates, we do not dispatch with our responsibility for their education. While the school provides the materials and training, the parents must provide the inspiration and framework into which that education can take hold.
The school administrators and school board are doing all that they can, now is the time for the community to step forward and do all that they can to support the Holy task of education.
Let us ask for a moment of silence to begin each school day, let us fill our children with Reason and then we can bask in the joy of watching them grow into fine citizens and bring CNN back to Northbrook to report on its proudest accomplishments.
Rabbi Meir Moscowitz
Director, Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook
Northbrook Star, May 2003