Reflections on Off The Page: One-Book
Holyoke’S Kickoff Event
March 6, 2007, 7-9 p.m. Lynch Middle School
See larger
pictures of the event
 On
Tuesday evening, March 6, One-Book Holyoke's Kick-off event
took place at Lynch Middle School. It was an inspiring evening
that embodied our mission of bringing together new readers
and experienced readers from all parts of the community.
In this case we came together to read and reflect on the
classic Holocaust memoir, Night, by Elie Wiesel.
 Our
speakers included Holyoke’s Mayor Michael Sullivan;
Paul Hyry, Principal of Lynch Middle School; Aaron Lansky,
the Founder and Director of the National Yiddish Book Center;
Leon Davis, a student in Holyoke’s Adult Basic Education
programs; and Nicholas Allende, a Lynch Middle School student.
The event was emceed by David Gadaire of CareerPoint. Tzivia
Gover read a poem by GED student, Maria Perez.
 Each
participant brought something unique, moving and honest
to the podium.
The audience (about 75 people) reflected the diversity
of the people on stage: Adult Basic Education students,
public school students, teachers and other professionals,
community organizers, and curious readers. (And all of this
on the coldest night of the winter!)
Together we celebrated reading. We celebrated Holyoke.
And we celebrated community.
We honored the beautifully told, yet horrifying tale that
Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel has told to the world. We
honored the legacy of the book Night, and together we made
a commitment, as a community and as individuals, to take
actions that will bring peace into our hearts, to our families,
our neighborhoods and our world.
 I
was proud to have been part of this evening, and humbled
to have been in the presence of the sincere and open people,
both on the stage and off.
— Tzivia Gover
 Coordinator
One-Book Holyoke
March 7, 2007
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