Pearl’s legacy preserved
at local temple’s school
By vincent todaro
Staff Writer
EAST BRUNSWICK — The religious school at Temple B’nai Shalom is being renamed in honor of slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl.
According to Dr. Andrew Boyarsky, president of the temple’s board of trustees, a dedication ceremony is schedule for Oct. 20 at the newly named Daniel Pearl Education Center.
Pearl, 38, was murdered earlier this year in Pakistan.
The temple, located on Fern Road, is a reform synagogue with about 600 families in its congregation, Boyarsky said. Though no one from the temple knew Pearl personally, several members of the temple’s board supported the idea of renaming the school in his honor. The decision was made with the approval and blessing of Pearl’s family.
"Through a connection at the Wall Street Journal, we were able to get a letter to his family," said Linda Scherzer, a spokeswoman for the temple. "His family was very enthusiastic, so obviously this all happened with their blessing."
Pearl, who was Jewish, was born in Princeton and lived in New Brunswick for several years, Boyarsky said.
Pearl’s father, Judea Pearl, and possibly other family members are expected to attend the Oct. 20 ceremony, which will be held at the synagogue.
The temple is not stopping with the renaming of the school, as it will also add courses inspired by Pearl, such as music and writing.
"Daniel loved music and was a musician (who) composed music," Scherzer said. "So, we wanted to preserve his spirit as much as we can."
She said the curriculum is still very much still in its infancy, but that it will include a Daniel Pearl memorial lecture, a concert and programs based around Pearl’s love of music, writing and humor.
In addition, a scholar-in-residence program will be established.
"It will be a weekend devoted to learning in his memory," she said.
According to Boyarsky, synagogue officials are pleased to have the opportunity to honor Pearl.
"This act, coupled with Pearl’s vision for the future, should ensure the perpetuation of Jewish education in our community for generations," he said. "I would never be able to relate to the Pearl family the excitement that this has generated."
Pearl, the Wall Street Journal’s South Asia bureau chief, was announced missing from Karachi, Pakistan, on Jan. 23.
His father wrote an article in the Journal in which he quoted a Karachi newspaper.
"He died because Pakistan’s enemies could not bear to see the country retake the course of tolerance and moderation that its founding fathers envisaged," Pearl’s father wrote.
Judea Pearl also wrote that he received many letters from Pakistanis saying they were horrified by the murder, and that the majority of people in their country condemned his son’s killing.
"Like everyone in the civilized world, the board (at Temple B’nai Shalom) was shocked at his murder, and wanted to do something to perpetuate his memory," Scherzer said. "They realized that this man was all about tolerance."