Students learn about Jewish culture

Fort Scott Christian Heights students Theresa Schafer, Elizabeth Wallace and Marcus Page place stones on the several tombstones at the Pine Lawn Jewish Cemetery on May 22. (Rayma Silvers/Tribune photo)

Students from Fort Scott Christian Heights recently took part in an activity rich in Jewish culture.

On May 22, four FSCH students, Theresa Schafer, Elizabeth Wallace, Jared Bahr and Marcus Page accompanied by their teacher, Maria Bahr, in addition to Megan Felt and Jamie Walker of the Lowell Milken Center, met with local resident Kate Emmett-Sweetser for an historical tour of the Pine Lawn Cemetery.

After giving the students some background information about the local Jewish cemetery, Emmett-Sweetser explained the Jewish custom of placing stones on the tombstones. Jewish residents place stones on the graves to remember those who are dead much the same as some people place flowers on graves, she told the students just before allowing them to gather handfuls of stones and begin placing them on tombstones.

According to Bahr, participating in the activity was extra special for two of the students.

"What is really special about this occasion focuses on two of the students, Theresa Schafer and Elizabeth Wallace, who did a performance last year over a Holocaust survivor, Bronia Roslawowski," Bahr said. "The girls got to know Bronia, who lives in Independence, Mo., and they visited her at her home. In addition, Bronia came to see the group's state history day performance last April 2008 at Washburn State University. Bronia's courage and loving spirit made a big impact on these students."

Both Schafer and Jared said they were really excited about being able to participate in the activity.

"I think it's neat," Schafer said. "I didn't know there was a Jewish community here, but it's a cool way to remember a tradition that goes back to Bible times."

Jared said, "It gives us a broader view of the cultural differences."

According to Bahr, allowing her students to participate in the activity helped provide them with a greater understanding of different cultures.

"It is very important," she said. "It helps them understand the different cultures and the significance of different traditions from different cultures. It teaches them to respect others cultures and adds a little bit of a diverse education."