Temple Beth Elohim became a time machine for its religious school students last week as educators at the Old Bethpage temple led students in a first-hand immigrant experience. 

Designed to enlighten the students about the difficulties and perseverance of the immigrants who traveled to Ellis Island, the program was led by  Director of Education Deborah Tract, Rabbi Michael Churgel and Cantor Richard Pilatsky.

The children started their journey in the "old country" and listened to excerpts of the story of a  young Jew in Poland, in the early 1900's who had begun his journey to America, like so many immigrants, seeking religious freedom.

Wearing costumes depicting the period dress, children and families "boarded a shp bound for America, where steerage and first-class passengers were directed to separate quarters.

The children watched a photo montage video of immigration scenes and
heard more about the long sea crossing that many of their ancestors endured,
which included crowding, delays, and illness.

At the end of the crossing, grumpy civil servants inspected documentation,
questioned heritage, and assigned misspelled names to the student travelers
who waited on long lines at Ellis Island.

The dramatic program concluded with a multi -cultural tasting event at TBE's Lower East side.

(With special thanks for this information to Debbie Baer of the Temple Beth Elohim.)