We began with an easy run along Deerfield Beach as we enjoyed the fresh morning ocean air and then a short dip in the Atlantic Ocean. Our first event was at the Beth Emet School in Cooper City.

We had a wonderful reception with about 70 children and some of the staff and teachers forming a column of enthusiastic harmony lovers to greet us as we ran the Torch into the schoolyard.

The children had made artwork and beautifully crafted shades and paper torches as well. After our presentation and introductions, we were treated to a song and a dance by the children with the theme of peace and friendship. We are grateful to Lena, the physical education teacher who led the dance and all the enthusiastic children who participated.

We are also grateful to all the staff who prepared the children for such an exciting and colorful event. Including Noemi Gozlna, the principal, Denise Kracer, the art teacher who also read out some beautiful poetry and offered us a book of the children’s own compositions on the theme of harmony and friendship. Zohar Casden, the Director of Congregational Relations was also very kind in doing so much to get this event the publicity that happened here. Three newspapers came to cover the event, the Jewish Journal, the Miami Herald and the Sun Centennial.

After a run with the children and some of the teachers in the playground, always the most exciting part of the program, we took photos of the children and their colorful dress and as usual found it difficult to leave such an enthusiastic school filled with harmony and goodwill.

Later in the day we arrived in Pompano where we visited the Randazzo School. Our good friend Max Jameson attends this private school with an expansive campus situated among the trees and green lawns. His father, Mike helped to set up the event with the principal Sherri Holtzman who also led the children around the field with the Torch after our presentation.

About 100 children and some of the staff were out to join us in the shade of a very big tree. The children loved to sing and dance to our theme song and then were even more energetic when it came time to follow Principal Holtzman around the field.

After answering some of the questions about our efforts, we had to leave behind a wonderful school full of enthusiastic children and thoughtful teachers and staff who welcomed us with open arms.

We were fortunate to have some time to visit the home of Max and family. They live on a tree and vegetable farm which offers peace and beauty for many acres.

We are grateful to them for their hospitality and also to Jeremy, a good friend of ours who hosted us in his apartment in nearby Deerfield. We again had some time to the beach where I ran a few miles before cooling down with a swim in the Atlantic Ocean.

Arpan and Team Harmony

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