For Immediate Release

Date: April 1, 2009 Contact: Suzanne Wiener Phone: 631-715-2569 Fax:

Commack, NY— As the world prepares for Passover, ten residents of the Gurwin Jewish ~ Fay J. Lindner Residences in Commack, most in their 80s and 90s, addressed the question of “Crazy or Brave?” retelling the Passover story of Moses.

The key question explored by the group was “What is it that drives a mother to send her child away?” Protecting children – whether it was Moses’ mother sending him to safety with the Egyptians, or a more modern young Jewish mother sending her child to England to escape the persecution that was to come during World War II – is an age-old instinct. Audience participation included discussions of personal experiences of slavery, bravery, hidden identity, and recounts of events of the Holocaust from survivors.

The play was an original work written for the Gurwin residents by Dr. Peter Pitzele, founder and director of the Explora-Torah Workshops. The interactive play explored the parallels between ancient and more recent history, examining what motivates people to take the risks they do in desperate situations.

The Explora-Torah players meet weekly at the assisted living residence, where they perform as if they were living during the time in question. “The Explora-Torah program, run by Dr. Pitzele and Elizabeth Yak, is an interactive theater experience which allows our residents to rediscover characters and stories from the bible transported into modern life.” said Susan Glassgold, Director of Recreation.

Gurwin Jewish ~ Fay J. Lindner resident participants of the Explora-Torah program joined by Alice Spiciarich, Recreation Supervisor; Elizabeth Yak, Explorah-Torah Coordinator; and Susan Glassgold, Director of Recreation.