It started when I was six years old. Every fall, I received a cardboard card for the next ten years. This card opened and contained 20 slots, just the right size to insert a dime into each slot. As a student at Share Zedek Synagogue, I was tasked each year with collecting 20 dimes to buy a tree that someone would plant in Israel.

I found this quote: “The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion but allow very lively debate within that spectrum. That gives people the sense that there’s free thinking going on, while all the time the presuppositions of the system are being reinforced by the limits put on the range of the debate.”- Noam Chomsky.

I fell in love with the book Little Women. It spoke to me. I identified with Jo. This book described my character, drive, ambitions, perceptions of the world, need for freedom, and love of books. Louisa May Alcott taught me I must fight for my independence. Little Women motivated me to keep reading. I was going to find the answers to life’s purpose through reading. The search was on.

I remember when I learned to read. I wish I still had that book, or at least I knew the name of it. I am trying to remember what it was about. Maybe gingerbread people? Mom read it so many times that I memorized the words as she read. I took the book and started reading it by recalling what I remembered. Suddenly, the printed words clicked in my brain. I could read.

I remember when I learned to read. I wish I still had that book, or at least I knew the name of it. I am trying to remember what it was about. Maybe gingerbread people? Mom read it so many times that I memorized the words as she read. I took the book and started reading it by recalling what I remembered. Suddenly, the printed words clicked in my brain. I could read.