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Harriet Felper of West Orange Reads to Youngsters Weekly, Sponsors High School Trips that Explore the American Civil Rights Movement
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J., May 10, 2019 – Harriet Felper has been a member of the Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel community since 1961. For many years, she was busy with her teaching career and later, working with her late husband Everett in his company, so finding time to volunteer while juggling work and family life was difficult. She has found that retirement became the perfect time to get more involved in synagogue life.
“Volunteering at TSTI happened easily,” said Felper, who taught first and second grade in West Orange. “I’d been thinking about how to devote my time to something meaningful when Rabbi Cohen approached me about participating in the preschool. I said yes right away.” Every Monday, Felper comes to the Iris Family Early Childhood Center—the preschool program at TSTI—to read to the youngsters. Depending on the age group—three or four years old—she reads one or two stories. Ever the teacher, she noted that, “The preschool has a very nice library.”
The active great-grandmother is enjoying her weekly visits with the preschoolers. “I studied early childhood education in college and I love the preschool,” said Felper. “This came at a good time for me and now I’m hooked.”
Of her nearly 60-year commitment to the synagogue, Felper said, “I think being part of a religious community is very important. But TSTI is more than that; it’s a true community whose members are interested in so many different aspects of life. Together, we explore what we experience not only as Jews but as Americans, through the entire life cycle.”
TSTI has been an intergenerational family affair for the Felpers. Their three daughters grew up at the Reform synagogue, attended its religious school and were confirmed there. One daughter, who lives in the area, is a temple member and her children, now grown, also attended the religious school. Felper and her husband celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a party in TSTI’s historic mansion.
In recent years, she and Everett—who had served on the temple board for several years—became more involved in the synagogue and began sponsoring the Hebrew High’s annual civil rights trips to the South.
“I treasure the thank-you letters we received from the children who went on the trip, especially the first one several years ago. The letters we got were just fantastic and the students are so articulate. I see that the trip was so meaningful to them. I’m so glad we could do something meaningful to all of us,” she said. Felper continues the annual trip sponsorship in celebration of Everett’s memory and to ensure all students who wish to go can do so.
In her leisure time, Felper enjoys painting watercolors, especially flowers and nature—which remind her of her garden at the family home in West Orange—and places to which she has traveled. She has been painting for about seven years with a group of women, one of whom is also a TSTI member, and who suggested Felper submit pieces to the newly launched TSTI Gallery. The art gallery opened in early April and is currently showing original pieces by members, including three of her paintings.
She is also enjoying the activities offered by PrimeConnection, a TSTI group that meets for social, cultural and educational programs.
“I love TSTI. It’s a warm and welcoming community to all ages—just look at all the activities it offers for people at every stage of life. Most importantly, the warm and welcoming clergy are always there when you need them.”
Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel (TSTI) is a dynamic, inclusive Reform congregation that offers numerous ways for members to connect with and celebrate being part of the Jewish community and the world. Welcoming Jews by birth or by choice, interfaith, traditional and non-traditional families, and children of all abilities, TSTI provides lifelong learning and enriching programs for all members through a full complement of religious services, early childhood and religious school education, cultural programs, and activities that foster connection, engagement and community outreach in a joyful, judgment-free environment. Located at 432 Scotland Road in South Orange, TSTI draws members from Maplewood, South Orange, West Orange, Short Hills, Millburn, Livingston and surrounding areas. For more information, visit www.tsti.org.
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