‘Silence’ Campaign Gets Boost

By COLlive reporter

The Moment of Silence campaign, led by Lubavitcher R’ Avraham Frank, has joined forces with Mr. Izzy Kalman, a nationally acclaimed bullying prevention specialist.

Kalman, a Certified School Psychologist, trains professionals and schools throughout the country in his unique approach to the all-pervasive bullying problem.

Recently, Kalman used his Bullies 2 Buddies newsletter, with a circulation of 20,000 subscribers throughout the world, to promote a Moment of Silence.

The idea was encouraged by the Rebbe in the 1980’s to foster morality in public schools, by starting the day with 60 seconds of silent reflection.

Although 15 states in the U.S. mandated the Moment of Silence, the added feature of parental involvement is not included in these schools, notes Rabbi Frank who inspired over 30 schools in New York City alone to adopt the concept.

The Rebbe asked that parents discuss with their children nightly, what they should think about during this moment of silence.

Since Kalman’s mention in his newsletter, the campaign has heard from people from countries such as Ireland, Trinidad, and Mexico, who are interested in implementing the Moment of Silence in their classrooms and other facilities.

Kalman has joined the Board of Directors of the Moment of Silence. Another member is Dr. Robert Feldman of Crown Heights who is working with government organizations.

Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar, Uruguay Shliach and author Rabbi Eliezer Shemtov and other Shluchim have been involved in providing contribution ideas to the campaign.

For more info, visit momentofsilence.info