Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D Superintendent of Schools Post Sandy Wrap – up

Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D Superintendent of Schools Post Sandy Wrap – up

To think: It all started with the invention of one light bulb in Thomas Edison’s workshop.

I truly believe communities are judged on how their residents treat each other during times of duress and crisis. We in Ridgewood did better than alright on that front during Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath. Over the past two weeks we have all seen great acts of kindness, people working hard to get our community back to normal operation and beyond. Our leaders, our citizens, all tirelessly working together, committed to the big picture of restoring electric power, while being equally mindful of safety. And not forgetting that important events, like securing our right to vote in the Presidential election despite a loss of services, are a priority, too.

That’s power.

Even as trees and electrical lines were falling around them in the midst of the storm, our Village Police, Fire and other Emergency Services personnel risked their own well-being to make sure our community was as safe as possible. And following the storm, in a true interfaith spirit, our houses of worship became warming centers, opening their doors to anyone suffering from loss of services. Hundreds of people, too, came to the Somerville School to “juice” up their electronics, and also recharge their spirits.

That’s power.

Countless acts of community kindness occurred during this time, neighbors helping neighbors and strangers making new friends while coming to another’s aid. The stories go on and on. I personally got a kick out of one community member who brought her electric tooth brush for charging at Somerville. The next day she brought cookies to the district administrators who were helping out at the charging center there.

That’s power.

We now all know why it is important to prepare for a storm, that it’s too late once the storm has arrived.

On the practical level, I am sure everyone can add to a list of lessons learned for next time. Number one is that we pretty much now realize that there will be a next time. We’ll make more of an effort to get flashlights in the house and top off our car gas tanks and gas containers before the next storm. We’ll also make sure that we’ve signed up for the Village of Ridgewood e-notices through the Village website at www.ridgewoodnj.net, so that we can receive important communications from the Village via our phones and e-mail.

And on the personal level, I think we’ve also learned that as prepared as we can be in advance, sometimes it’s just not enough and we have to rely on others. And that’s more than ok. We have learned that it is important, and fulfilling, to reach out to those in need. We have learned that it is warm hearts that comfort cold hands.

That’s power.

Over the next few weeks as we rebuild our homes and heal our emotions and put our lives back together, we will have opportunities to reflect on lessons learned from Sandy. One thing I know for sure is that it is only through the positive energy of our community that we got through Sandy’s wrath and aftermath, that our infrastructure is knit together with the glue of kindness, compassion and wisdom.

That’s power.

Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools