Art is often used to express sadness. Giving tzedakah (charity) can help ease the pain. By combining the two, students at the Yeshivah of Flatbush remembered their teacher and mentor Mariel Hidary A”H, a wonderful young woman (and a graduate of YOF Elementary School) who tragically passed away this winter.

Mariel's students, who had studied dance with her in her “Orange Dance Studio,” were left with a tremendous void. Guiding the girls to find a meaningful way to deal with their loss, principals, the guidance department and concerned parents helped organize three extraordinary events held in memory of Mariel that expressed messages and supported causes important to her, her family, and the Yeshivah.

The first came about through the initiative of two YOF parents, Monique Chera and Rochelle Dweck. While watching Oprah one day, Monique learned of a wonderful San Francisco program—Soul Shoppe—whose school workshops help students and teachers learn to speak and act in ways that promote positive self-esteem and sensitivity to the feelings of others. Since so much of what their daughters learned from Mariel pertained to self-esteem, she and Rochelle decided it would be an appropriate program to bring to the Yeshivah.

Soul Shoppe presented students as well as teachers in grades 1-7 with assemblies and workshops dealing with self-esteem enhancement and strategies to deter bullying. With the help of curriculum supervisor Joyce Salame, a group of 4th-grade girls made a touching presentation introducing the assemblies with the messages of self-worth that Mariel espoused.

Middle Division school psychologist Dr. Levana Toledano commented that the usage of visual displays and role-playing taught the children tools to better their relationships. She was pleased that Soul Shoppe addressed its message to teachers as well. “Teachers have a vital role in creating opportunities to help children evaluate themselves more positively,” she stated.

Middle Division social worker Lynn Dashiff noted that the program was effective because it presented the entire school with a single set of terminologies enabling administrators, teachers and students to work on issues together.

During the day of the Soul Shoppe program, the auditorium was decorated with orange banners and balloons in tribute to Orange Dance Studio. Students, eager to raise tzedakah, held a bake sale, sold orange juice and orange self-esteem T-shirts, and held a raffle.

When another occasion presented itself to honor Mariel's legacy, the 8th grade girls were enthusiastic. Parents were invited to the school one evening to see a repeat performance of an outstanding Yom HaShoah program organized by Middle Division teacher Mrs. Margalit Greenstein. Deciding that this was an opportunity to raise money for tzedakah, these girls put together a Chinese auction and raised $3,000 with only two days notice!

The 5th- through 9th-grade girls at the Yeshivah of Flatbush also felt a need to express the love they had for Mariel. With the strong support and care of Dr. Toledano, High School psychologist Lillian Galapo, psychology intern Etty Mizrahi, dance teacher Faige Sashitsky and Middle Division student activities director Deena Greenstein, a sponsored “Day of Dance”—Yom HaRikkudim—was held.

The Orange Dance Studio dancers of the 7th and 9th grades performed dances that Mariel had choreographed, bearing orange bandannas. After a brief introduction by 9th grader Rebecca Cohen and a story from 9th grader Irene Gindi, who recalled how Mariel had shown her so much attention and care, the music began. With proud smiles and a sense of purpose, the girls burst into dance on the stage of the elementary school, putting on performances that shook not only the walls of the auditorium, but the emotions of the audience as well.

Mariel once wrote, “In the grand symphony of life, you are a valuable note without which this world would not be the same.” Without Mariel Hidary, our song will never be the same, but we can certainly count on her former students to continue dancing in her honor.

All funds raised went to the Mariel Hidary Foundation and to a dance therapy program at Camp Koby, a six-week summer camp in Israel for children whose families have been affected by terrorist attacks.

Sponsors of Soul Shoppe, solicited by Monique Chera and Rochelle Dweck, were: Associated Supermarket, Ourie's Fruit, Kitchen Kaboodles, Monique and Ricky Chera, Rochelle and Eli Dweck, Ami and Ralph Sasson, Abe and Vicky Anteby, Shifra and Ezra Hanon, Alice and Steve Goldman, Barbara Azizo, Shayne and Eli Zami, Jack, Joanie and Paulina Mann, Ravit and Albert Mosseri, Carla and Raymond Zeitouny, Heather Deutsch, Paulette and Jack Dweck, Andrea and Sonny Falack, Mary and Eric Setton, Lesley and Jack Chera, Melissa and Albert Sutton, Rachel and Elliot Tebele, Sarah and Eddie Gindi, and Julie and Michael Betesh.

Mothers who volunteered their time for the Soul Shoppe program were: Lesley Chera, Rosie Dayan, Paulette Dweck, Sarah Gindi, Adele Laboz, Michele Levy, Tami Morano, Amy Sasson, Mary Setton, Melissa Sutton, Robyn Sutton, Lynn Terzi and Carla Zeitouny.

Thank you also to the administration of the Elementary School and High School for facilitating these programs and insuring that the memory of Mariel Hidary will continue to flourish.

Written by: Renee Beyda