Letter to the Editor

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Letters

Holocaust Remembrance Monument: Roger Williams Park Zoo

Published November 5, 2010

To the Editor:

               My name is Ashley Herskowitz and I am writing to you on behalf of my concern for the lack of Holocaust Remembrance monuments in Rhode Island.   I am a family member to two Holocaust Survivors and I would thoroughly enjoy having a place to go to honor my family.  My grandparents were victims of Auschwitz and Buchenwald Concentration Camps.  Although they passed away a few years back, I would benefit from having a memorial site close by.  I am a student at the University of Rhode Island and on days like their birthdays I feel I don’t have a place to go to honor them.  Advocating for this monument would be something all of us in this community could be proud of.  The park already has large revenue and adding this monument would only increase the population of people who visit. After a brief interview with two URI Seniors, I received some feedback of how they felt about this.  These two students were of Jewish and Christian faith, and both felt this would be a great idea.  Having survived the holocaust doesn’t mean you had to be Jewish, which I think is a lot of the confusion and problem in trying to raise awareness.  I feel with a publication in the Providence Journal we could get some feedback on this idea from all residents of Rhode Island.  As a young adult I feel like we need to continue the awareness and education of this part of history in order to avoid it ever happening again.  With this monument, it will serve as the small part Rhode Island can do to honor those we lost.  It is made known to me that many colleges in Rhode Island have museums remembering the Holocaust, but I have yet to see an actual monument.  Though it’s not a recent tragedy, it still makes up a large portion of America history.   Since children are predominantly the visitors of the zoo, seeing this monument will entice there interest in what it means.  Teaching children of the Holocaust at a young age is an encouraging way to get them involved.  I appreaciate you taking a moment of your to take this into consideration.

                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                                    Ashley Herskowitz

                                                                                    Advocate for the Holocaust Monument 

Personal Essay on what this Monument means to me:

I have been a part time resident in the state of Rhode Island for almost four years now.  I've often wanted to visit a place when it was the time of year to honor holocaust survivors, and the immense amount of family I lost in it.  My grandparents, both survivors of Auschwitz and Buchenwald, were amazing people with unbelievable stories. I feel Rhode Island should have a monument in honor of all those we lost, not just my grandparents.  The Roger Williams Park Zoo would be the perfect place to create “The Steven Herskowitz Holocaust Remembrance Monument”. 

My grandmother Agi Herskowitz, grew up in the Austria-Czech Region.  She was taken to Auschwitz in 1946, along with her 9 sisters.  At the time, she was married and had a four year old son.  When she entered the camp her husband and son went to the left and she went to the right.  This was the last time she would ever see them again, as well her sisters.  Her husband and son were told they were going to the showers, and as we learn in all our history courses, that is not what really happened.  She fought for her survival using her skills as a seamstress to sew the uniforms of all the Nazis.  She was fed very minimally, but enough to stay alive.  This wasn’t the same for the rest of her family, leaving only her and two of her sisters once the camps were liberated. 

My grandfather Alexander Herskovits originated from Hungary in the Budapest region.  He was taken to Buchenwald Concentration Camp, where he too was married with a three year old daughter.  He lost them immediately, mainly because female children were of no use at the camps.  Through this treacherous time he survived by being the caretaker of the guards dogs.  His job was to feed them twice a day, and he kept himself alive by stealing some of the dog’s food for his own use.  When the camps were liberated, having no family he was taken to the liberation centers for all holocaust survivors.  My grandmother Agi and he met at this location, and having been through the same experience they found love in each other.

In 1951, they decided to begin a life together, and relocate to America.  They came to Ellis Island and found an apartment in the Bronx.  Alexander changed his name to Steven and made ‘Herskovits’ in Herskowitz to sound more American.  They began a new life, as best as they could considering the inhumane conditions they just came from.  They had two children Geraldine and Mitchell.  Mitchell is my father, as a child he made it a very important value to me to never forget the things my grandparents went through.  If there is one thing I’ve been instilled with through all their stories and teachings, it’s to never take things for granted.  I’m not sure I can ever truly understand the hardships they’ve suffered, but I can do my part in honoring them.  This monument would mean the world to me, and I can almost guarantee it would mean the same for other families of survivors.  This monument would be a place I could go on their birthdays, Holocaust Remembrance Day, and overall just a place where I could go to show them how much I respect and love them.  Even if the Holocaust has no affect on your life, if we don’t all remember history is sure to repeat itself.  

Roger Williams Park Zoo Rules for the Steven Herskowitz Holocaust Remembrance Monument

Please maintain the positive atmosphere of the park by abiding by these rules: 

No Loitering
 No Littering
 No Illegal Paraphernalia
 No Open Containers
 No Skateboarding or Roller blading
 No Glass Containers
Dogs Must be on a Leash and under restraint

Smoking

Disorderly Conduct

No firearms or weapons

No Bikes beyond Parking Area

    

The Steven Herskowitz Holocaust Remembrance Monument: Architectural Influences

What Really Bugs me on Campus

What really bugs me on campus? Parking.  I can’t remember a time where parking was smooth sailing.  Living down in Narragansett forces you to leave your house at least an hour before class if you want any shot at finding a spot.  It fires me up every morning when I turn down upper college road and begin my journey to the fine arts commuter lot.  As I drive around aimlessly seeking out people walking to their car, I begin to wonder if the President ever considered these issues.   I can speak with confidence that I’m sure every URI commuter feels the same way.  The lots are not big enough, very far from the buildings, and very congested. I borderline fight people to get a spot and that is not a good reflection of who I am.  I do not like to be a confrontational person, but the parking situation has really outraged me.  URI allows freshman to bring their cars for a small fee of $200.  I feel this is part of the reason the parking is so out of hand.  Most colleges encourage students not to bring their cars, whereas URI seems to have no issue with it making it harder for those who actually need to drive to campus.  If the president were to help us off campus students with one thing, please let it be parking.  My parents are paying an obscene amount of money for out of state tuition, plus a parking pass and I can’t give them any reassurance that I’m going to have a spot.  Although this is my last year I feel the board should address this issue as one of the main problems at The University of Rhode Island. 

 

A Letter to the Owner of a Tanning Salon

Attn: Venetian Tans

To Whom this May Concern,

            I am writing to you on behalf of my interest in the long term affects of Artificial Tanning.  In the past few years tanning has become a huge problem in America.  More and more people have begun to tan in the last decade and with that an even higher rise of skin cancer. I was wondering about the precautions you take for health and safety within your salon.  I know when attending your salon I use to be a regular customer, I received no information on the risks of tanning.  Do you inform new customers about what damage tanning can cause to your skin? Below I have constructed a few concerns that have bothered me upon using your salon.

            First, when I entered the room to tan I noticed there were no regular hand towels.  I think all salons should provide them for people who don’t feel comfortable putting their head down on the actual bed.  If you don’t provide a plastic head rest, this is a necessity.  Unless the employee cleans the bed right in front of the customer, there is no way to guarantee 100% cleanliness.  Another thing that I feel should be made bolder are the signs declaring the use of eye protection.  The girls at the front desk just ask if you need it, not require you use it.  If you provided the eye care maybe more people would begin to use it.  I think posting pictures of what damage could be done to your eyes from not using protection would be a smart and active way to get customers to wear them. 

            Second I think that you should have water coolers throughout the salon for before and after tanning sessions.  Not too many people realize how much you sweat while your tanning and being so hot can lead to dehydration.  Consumers pay a lot of money for tanning and the least they could be provided with is water.  This brings me to last point, bulb changing.  The last time I was in the bulbs had been changed and not one employee informed me of this.  I went in the bed for the full time unaware that new bulbs were installed, and completely burned.  For the following the three days I couldn’t wear anything but light, not tight clothing.  When the burning was done, I peeled from my face all the way down the tops of my feet.  I wanted to inform you that this encouraged me to quit tanning all together.  In the future, to prevent loss of customer loyalty, warn your clients of new bulbs. 

            I hope you take into consideration the points I have brought up.  Skin cancer is a very serious issue and since you own a business that induces it you should take all the precautions necessary.  If society chooses to engage in tanning, it is your responsibility to inform them of all the dangers that follow.  Thank you for your Time.

Sincerely,

Ashley Herskowitz

Things you should look for in a Tanning Salon (If choosing to go anyways..)

·         Most importantly look for FDA approval stickers on the walls, beds, or in a letter posted somewhere within the room or salon

Read the mandatory FDA warning label on every tanning machine for important information on potential eye injury, skin cancer, skin aging and photosensitive reaction and proper use. Compliant, protective eyewear must be worn when using any indoor tanning device or system.

·         Cleanliness upon entering the salon i.e.: no towels on the floor, no lotion spills, overflowing garbage, and front desk unattended. 

·         Look for a vast array of lotions.  Lotions prevent burn and can often carry a low SPF against UV rays. In addition, lotions can add moisture to your skin so you don’t get dry skin or peeling 

·         Make sure each bed is in its individual room, unless it’s a stand-up bed.

·         Each Room should come with face towels, a towel to put under your head to keep your head from touching the bed, paper towels and cleaner should also be visible to guarantee the bed has been cleaned.  Having the paper towels and cleaner at hand can also allow the customer to clean the bed themselves if they feel uncomfortable.

·         Each salon MUST encourage eyewear protection if they do not already provide it. (goggles,winkies)

·         Warning signs on the walls of what tanning beds can do.

·         A full explanation by an employee of how the bed works, what to do if it’s too hot, and how to get out early if necessary.

·         What to do if you get burned sign in each room

·         Parental Consent form if under 18 years of age.

·       WARNING IF BULBS HAVE BEEN CHANGED