It’s Sunday just after noon, and the students and staff of Sholem, a secular community and school, have gathered together to sing the lyrics to “This Land is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie and “Bim Bam” by Nachum Frankel. Most Sundays, at the end of class, Rebekka Helford, Sholem’s vice principal, teacher of the youngest class starting in pre-K, and mother of two Sholem students, accompanies a group sing-along on her acoustic guitar.
“This is a bonding, family activity,” Rebekka said after the students had left for the day. “It is a commitment to belonging. As a society we are so fragmented, lonely and isolated, and that is not our birthright. As humans, we are used to living in groups, which helps us to be well and at ease. People schlep here to be surrounded by faces who they can bond with and make a community with. It is a place to belong, where you can be of value and be valued and connect to your family in a deeper way.” . . .
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Jessica Koslow 