Temple dedicates education center to journalist

By vincent todaro
Staff Writer

By vincent todaro
Staff Writer


Judea Pearl speaks during the dedication ceremony at Temple B’nai Shalom.Judea Pearl speaks during the dedication ceremony at Temple B’nai Shalom.

EAST BRUNSWICK — Temple B’nai Shalom is making sure slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl’s memory, as well as what he stood for, are not forgotten.

The temple officially renamed its school The Daniel Pearl Education Center Sunday, in honor of Pearl, who was murdered earlier this year in Pakistan while reporting on a story about Richard C. Reid, who was charged with hiding a bomb in his shoe while boarding an airline.

With a list of dignitaries that included Gov. James E. McGreevey, U.S. Sen. Jon Corzine, U.S. Senate hopeful Frank Lautenberg, Congressman Rush Holt and East Brunswick Mayor William Neary, the ceremony was meant to remember, not just Daniel Pearl the man, but also his work and beliefs.

Perhaps the most notable guest was Pearl’s father, Judea, who visited the Fern Road temple from California just for the event.


As Rabbi Eric Milgrim speaks, members of Temple B’Nai Shalom in East Brunswick try to catch a glimpse of Judea Pearl, the father of slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, through a hallway door.As Rabbi Eric Milgrim speaks, members of Temple B’Nai Shalom in East Brunswick try to catch a glimpse of Judea Pearl, the father of slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, through a hallway door.

Pearl said he was extremely touched by the gesture on the part of the synagogue, and spoke about how dedicated his son was to his two passions — promoting tolerance and music.

"This is what Danny stood for, and this is what we’ve dedicated the center for," said Mel Moss, the temple’s executive director.

Also on hand was HBO, which filmed the event as part of a documentary to be broadcast next year. In fact, the Cable TV station followed Judea Pearl around all day, visiting the home in Princeton where Daniel Pearl lived as a child.

The ceremony included the unveiling of a 6-by-3-foot sculpture of Pearl holding a scroll and a book. It was unveiled by Rabbi Eric Milgrim, along with temple President Dr. Andrew Boyarsky, Judea Pearl and its sculptor, Sanford Werfel of North Bruns-wick.


PHOTOS BY VERONICA YANKOWSKI Judea Pearl (second from left) takes part in the unveiling of the monument to his son, Daniel, during Sunday’s ceremony at Temple B’nai Shalom’s school, which was renamed The Daniel Pearl Education Center.PHOTOS BY VERONICA YANKOWSKI Judea Pearl (second from left) takes part in the unveiling of the monument to his son, Daniel, during Sunday’s ceremony at Temple B’nai Shalom’s school, which was renamed The Daniel Pearl Education Center.

The Hebrew school, formerly named the Temple B’nai Shalom Religious School, will be the temporary home of the sculpture.

However, the synagogue recently received approval from the township Planning Board to construct an approximately 20,000-square-foot building that will also be used for the school. When that building is completed, the sculpture will be moved there.

Moss said the new structure will house classrooms, a library, a small museum in recognition of Daniel Pearl, and an auditorium to seat between 250 and 350 people for concerts and lectures.

In addition, there will be a scholar-in-residence program, as well as frequent speakers.

"All in the name of Daniel Pearl and what Daniel Pearl lived for," Moss said. "His two loves were music and tolerance."

The temple will use the new building to expand its religious school, he said. The current building will still be used for those purposes as well.

Temple officials do not know exactly when construction of the new building will begin, though it will take place in the near future.

"We’re all very excited, thrilled in fact, with the way things went this weekend, and being able to meet Mr. Pearl," Boyarsky said.