This year, I am tutoring a number of 5th graders at PS/IS 217 in reading. Some are Hispanic, others Korean and African-American. It gives me great joy since I have always maintained that reading is the basis of learning as well as one of the greatest gifts for a full life.

I also continue to assist our school counselor with the annual Career Day – a useful and popular event for our 8th graders.

My contact with the inhabitants of the island is actually ecumenical. As well as parishioners, many of my friends and acquaintances are Jewish. We share joys and sorrows with mutual respect like good neighbors and fellow Roosevelt Islanders.

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