Special to NJJN

December 18, 2008

Students from Solomon Schechter Day School of Essex and Union in West Orange had a close encounter with popular film star and activist Brad Pitt during their third annual Hurricane Katrina Relief Mission to the New Orleans region Dec. 2-5.

But the first order of business for the 20 SSDS high school students was to lend a hand in the region’s ongoing rehabilitation projects. They worked in the classrooms of Westwego Elementary School in Louisiana — which took in three schools’ worth of students after the storm — and brought the school 20 boxes of supplies collected by Schechter families and faculty.

The Schechter students also toured areas of devastation and worked for two days with Habitat for Humanity, yielding four houses now near completion.

“New Orleans today is not overflowing with volunteers,” said SSDS dean of students Adam Shapiro, who organized and chaperoned the trip. “Had we not helped when we did, the prospect of these families getting in before Christmas would have been far-fetched.”

In a meeting with the students, Katrina survivor Robert Green, who lost his granddaughter and mother to the storm, told them their work and acts of kindness in New Orleans are much appreciated.

During the unplanned encounter with Pitt, who has been active in rebuilding the area, he talked to the students about the value of their contributions in rebuilding the storm-ravaged region. According to Shapiro, “It was great not only to see him, but also to see the fruit of his labor in the houses that he is building in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans.”

“We saw barren lots that once had houses on them and right next to them the wonderful houses that Brad Pitt’s foundation, Make it Right 9, are building,” said senior Aliza Tammam of Morris Plains. “His work is incredible and having the opportunity to meet him and also to have him hear about the great things that we did was quite cool.”

But the students kept their chance meeting with Pitt in perspective. SSDS senior LeeAnn Langer of Highland Park said, “Mr. Green told us that we were the real stars by coming down to help even after three years. He said that even small things that seem insignificant really help the rebuilding process.”

Mission participants also spent time at Shir Chadash, the Conservative synagogue in Metairie, La. They met Ned Goldberg, director of the Jewish Children’s Regional Service, and presented him with a donation of more than $1,300 that had been collected by the school. The money will go toward buying Hanukka gifts for needy children in the Gulf region.

Senior Britty Cohen of Edison said, “I think it is so important for people to continue to volunteer — because if not us, who will?

“It’s amazing — everywhere we went in New Orleans, whether it was a synagogue for dinner, a Habitat site, or talking with civilians, we were always welcome.”

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