We all need to pitch in to help our towns
To maintain polite conversation, I was taught never to mention religion or politics. These days, though, it's hard sidestepping either one, even if you're not a journalist.
The media is filled with stories concerning religion these days from religious groups who interpret their faith to include acts of terrorism to those who believe American troops die in the Middle East because of our acceptance of homosexuality, to how The DaVinci Code distorts the foundations of Christianity.
Regrettably, there are too many stories about the abuse of faith and too few about the use of faith. I'd like to see more stories about the good works performed by members of religious communities and members of the clergy.
Too often editors see these stories as being too "soft" and not having the ability to draw readers and viewers as those stories with a harder edge. They are important, though, as good news gives people faith in any city or town that not everything in life is grim or evil.
I attended such a life-affirming event recently in Springfield when staff and students at the Washington Street School teamed up with members of Sinai Temple's congregation to formally open a new playground at the school.
The new playground is part of the 75th anniversary celebration of the temple and was the project for the anniversary's social action committee. Committee members Jackie Neiman and Saul Finestone explained they had considered building a playground for one of the schools in the Forest Park neighborhood. When they learned that Aimee Dorval, a teacher at the school, had already begun raising money for a new playground, the site was determined.
The temple raised $15,000, which was matched by the school. The city's Parks and Recreation Department then installed the new playground. The result of a year of planning and fund-raising could be seen on the faces of the children who were happily using the facility.
At the dedication, Rabbi Mark Shapiro said, "I'm delighted to yell to be heard because the playground is filled with the sounds of children."
Springfield School Committee member Antonette Pepe said the temple's involvement with the playground was "absolutely wonderful."
Finestone said to me that he "hopes the idea catches on with other churches in Springfield."
This is not just an idea for other houses of worship in Springfield, but for churches throughout our area and for that matter clubs and other organizations as well.
There isn't a single city or town that isn't feeling the pain caused by tight or inadequate budgets.
Now is the time for churches, businesses, civic organizations to rally together.
I'd like to hear what your group is doing or planning to do. Please drop me a line. We need more good news.
Identifying needs in a neighborhood and then building partnerships between residents, organizations and a municipality is a great way to solve a problem.
This column represents the opinions of its author and no one else.
Send your comments to mdobbs@reminderpublications.com or to 280 N. Main St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028.
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