It is sad and unfortunate that it took the tragic death of a young girl to realize the value and importance of my children’s school bus drivers. Each morning, as a matter of routine, I would wait with my children for their school bus to arrive, help them onto the bus, tell them I love them, say goodbye, and watch as the doors close and the bus drives away. A few hours later, I would wait for the school buses to bring them home, help them off the bus and listen (and listen and listen) to how their day at school went.
Op-Ed: A Parent’s Plea
It is sad and unfortunate that it took the tragic death of a young girl to realize the value and importance of my children’s school bus drivers. Each morning, as a matter of routine, I would wait with my children for their school bus to arrive, help them onto the bus, tell them I love them, say goodbye, and watch as the doors close and the bus drives away. A few hours later, I would wait for the school buses to bring them home, help them off the bus and listen (and listen and listen) to how their day at school went.
In the morning the bus will come and they will get on. In the afternoon the bus will come and they will get off. That’s what we’ve come to expect without much afterthought.
And that was exactly how I felt until about two months ago, October 19, when I logged on to CrownHeights.info and read of the horrific, tragic and extremely untimely death of Alta Shula Swerdlov, OBM, who was killed at some point during the process of getting off of her school bus and reaching the safety of her home.
It was at that moment that it dawned on me that a school bus driver is so much more than the person that operates the school bus and who opens and closes the door to let children on and off. A bus driver is the individual in whose hands we trust the very lives of our children. The bus driver is the person responsible to ensure that children enter the bus safely, arrives safely at school, and then return to the arms of their parents safe and alive.
We trust our children’s school bus drivers to instruct us on how to safely wait for the bus. We trust them to not harm our children while they are on the bus. We trust them to drive safely and not get into accidents or incidents of road rage. We trust them to drive our children to school in rain and snowstorms and on icy roads when we ourselves would not feel comfortable driving our own children. And we trust them to safely return our most treasured and precious possession to us. Hardly a day goes by that we do not hear of another criminal or predator trusted with the safety of our children, either as teachers, drivers or counselors. As a result, this trust that our children’s school bus driver will ensure our children’s safety in an appropriate manner is magnified tenfold.
There is hardly anyone else in our lives in whom we imbue as much trust as we do in our children’s school bus driver.
Admittedly, I am not fully aware of all of the technical and legal details of the recent informing and the subsequent criminal trial, but what does seem clear and agreeable to me from all versions is that a brawl took place and that people were injured in the melee. We live in New York City. We live in Brooklyn. We live in Crown Heights. Brawls happen. People argue, some arguments lead to physical interactions, and sometimes people get injured. If every altercation would lead to arrests, charges and prosecution, then every child involved in a schoolyard fight should be arrested as well.
There should be zero tolerance with regard to unprovoked violence, racially-based assaults, domestic violence, and child abuse. But a mutual brawl between adults, where there were injuries to all parties hardly justifies having a fellow community member arrested, prosecuted, and possibly financially ruined and imprisoned for a very long time.
The legal battle notwithstanding, no one has remotely suggested or implied that Gadi is in any way a danger or a threat of any kind to the safety and wellbeing of our children. And the proof is in the pudding. Each morning scores of parents throughout the community, regardless of their views and opinion about the legal battle, confidently place their precious little children in Gadi’s care, trusting him with their safety and their young innocent lives, and then welcome them home safe and alive.
As a parent, it is my sincere hope that the legal fiasco resulting from the brawl that was exaggerated and blown out of proportion with have no adverse effect on Gadi’s career as a school bus driver. As evidenced by the multiple shifts of buses filled with children whose lives their parents placed in Gadi’s trust, I am confident that I am not the only one who feels this way.
This Op-Ed reflects the views of its author. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CrownHeights.info or its Editors.
A reader that wishes to make his or her voice heard on any topic of their desire is welcome to submit his or her Op-Ed to News@CrownHeights.info.
Sara
What a Beautiful essay!
Good Luck, Gadi, in your future trials.
May you always be successful…
mother
Thank you for a well written article. I do agree that Gadi is a great bus driver who does his job with sincerity and safety as his number one priority. Now that the trial is over he can be full time bus driver again .
Anouther parent
In this interracial neighborhood where at a moments notice a gang can attack a bus of our children, we realy need such bus drivers who have experiance in comunity patrole and will has the knowledge and resorces to deal with safty or hostile situations. I couldn’t think of a more trustworthy person for this job. Although Fighting over a roomate to such a digree is a mistake that we all can learn from.
jason
Tone it down on the words please, you have a great vocabulary and I don’t like to have to keep on running to my dictionary to check up these words. imbue, melee.
Or is it the thesaurus?
Message from a teacher to all parents!
“There is hardly anyone else in our lives in whom we imbue as much trust as we do in our children’s school bus driver. ”
I can think of someone else. Your child’s teacher.
Message to parents from a preschool teacher: Get involved! Show your face to your childs teacher every so often, its sad but true, when a teacher sees a childs parent every so often and knows the parent is involved, they will be so much more careful to treat them well. Also physically take care of your child! The cleaner and more well kept your child is, the better they will take care of them. and last give compliments! Tips, gifts, calling a teacher up to randomly thank them shows kindness, and trust me in return the teacher will be more kind to your child.
To pre-school teacher
It’s very sad that you would take it out on your students the way their parents treat you – what happened to no favoritism? A true teacher, teaching for the sake of teaching, especially precious little children would never speak the way you do nor think that way. Shame on you, I hope my child is not in your class. That does not go to say that you shouldn’t be treated well and be appreciate, I try to the best of my ability, but you do now know the circumstances at home and can’t be so judgemental.
to the teacher
No one said that there is NO ONE else that we have to trust. Why can’t you at least give credit where credit is due and agree that our bus driver is one of them.
Seems to me like you should rethink your role as a teacher… Are you jealous that someone else got recognition for their good deeds. One should not be a teacher to be applauded and praised. One should be selfless in their role as a teacher and the reward will come on its own, without you having to tell others to do so.
Crown Between Brooklyn and New York
We love you Gadi…
plea
agree 100%
Funny teacher comment – way overly zealous on the teacher’s behalf
HELP GADI!
unfortunately, the trial is not yet over since the other side is continuosly looking for ways to hurt Gadi. please support his cause in whichever way you can!
Mother of girls
Very well said! I am so glad my daughters are on Gadi’s bus – with him I feel they are safe, he is very careful to make sure our precious girls get to school and home safely!
Carroll Street Mom
Thank you for saying it so nicely! Thank you Gadi for your patience in waiting those few extra seconds it takes me to run out the door when I hear your beep. Sorry Mothers who are after me that sometimes I make him come a few seconds late to you.
To Teacher
Why are people so selfish? I truly hope my daughter is not in your class – to know that a teacher sees who treats her better, thats how she treats her students?? feh!
On the other hand, I am so very happy that my daughter is on Gadi’s bus, I have seen him treat everyone the same – making sure they get on ok.
antimesira
“Brawls happen. People argue, some arguments lead to physical interactions, and sometimes people get injured”.
Sadly in this case nobody got hurt, not any more hurt then anybody coming out of Hakofas in 770 Simchas Torah.
This whole Mesira from beginning to end had and has nothing to do with what did or didn’t happen that night December 29, 2007 at 749. This was nothing more then a Modern day blood libel against 6 great members of our community, who volunteer their time to help you and me, wherever whenever and no matter what kippa you wear.
Those who came to court and heard the testimony coming out of the “alleged victims”, know as a matter of fact that there was no injuries. Like one of the lawyers said, “this whole case is about a few Boo-boos).
If they were not driven/convinced to go to the hospital they would not have gone. Had certain individuals with a unexplainable (free) hate and jealousy thoroughs Shomrim not taken them to the police no police report would have been made (it took three whole weeks until an arrest was made).
Had the DAs office not been pressured they would have dropped the case before it became a case (which we now after six weeks of trial know that indeed there was no case).
Gadi has given almost 20 years of his life in service of our community. He is and will always be the same Gadi, caring and helpful etc… no matter, nothing has changed.
What the mossrim did to Gadi and his friends they can (have and will) do to others. Easily, evident from what happened here. Crown Heights is a safer and a more pleasant community with heroes like Gadi Hershkop.
Shomrim Six
Please please people lets not start fighting, theres enough of that coming form the Sitra Acher.
This op-ed is meant to help a good Jew and an active member of our community who goes above and beyond, not about who gets recognition.
Gadi never asked for recognition for what he does and thats part of what makes him Gadi. The wonderful volunteer/Chesed organization that Gadi and Brother Aron run (Shomrim), never asked for recognition, neither have any of it’s volunteers.
If you need a hug, just stop me (I’m wearing a Shomrim jacket or cap) and give me a hug.
Remember, there is no Gevol/limit to doing good/Chesed. Anybody can be a “Shomrim” volunteer, even without a radio or jacket. You see a person (Jew or non-Jew, man or women, black or white etc…) in need you go (out of your way) and help them. Thats all it takes.
Keep up the good work Gadi and all my fellow Shomrim volunteers, we love you all and I would gladly sit another six and even ten weeks with you (in court) if I had to, in fact as long as it would take, your there I’m there.
Be strong (as always),
A fellow Shomrim six
[Hint: I was sitting the first from your left in the second row, behind our attorneys ;)]
rivka
Very nice article but we trust our children to Hashem’s hands, NOT the bus driver. He is just a shaliach and we have to pray he will be a responsible and good shaliach.
A Brother and Friend
Brother:
–noun
1. A male offspring having both parents in common with another offspring; a male sibling.
2. A male numbered among the same kinship group, nationality, race, profession, etc., as another; an associate; a fellow member, fellow countryman, fellow man, etc.: a fraternity brother.
3. Brothers, all members of a particular race, or of the human race in general: All men are brothers.
4. Slang. Fellow; buddy: Brother, can you spare a dime?
• pl. also breth•ren (brěth’rən) One who shares a common ancestry, allegiance, character, or purpose with another or others, especially:
a. A kinsman.
b. A fellow man.
c. A fellow member, as of a fraternity, trade union, or panel of judges on a court.
d. A close male friend; a comrade.
My definition or example of ‘Brother’ is plain and simple, Shneur Gedalia (a.k.a. Gadi) Hershkop.
Big Brother:
Function: noun
1: an older brother
2: a man who serves as a companion, father figure, and role model for a boy
3: My older brother Shneur Gedalia (a.k.a. Gadi) Hershkop
Friend:
–noun
1. A person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.
2. A person who gives assistance; patron; supporter
3. A person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile
4. A member of the same nation, party, etc.
5. (Initial capital letter) a member of the Religious Society of Friends; a Quaker.
Synonyms:
1. Comrade, chum, crony, confidant. 2. Backer, advocate. 3. Ally, associate, confrere, compatriot.
n.
1. A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts.
2. A person whom one knows; an acquaintance.
3. A person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade.
4. One who supports, sympathizes with, or patronizes a group, cause, or movement:
My definition or example of a ‘Friend’ is plain and simply my Brother and best Friend Shneur Gedalia (a.k.a. Gadi) Hershkop.
Chaim Hershkop
My name is Chaim Hershkop, brother to Gadi Hershkop. I am one of ten children and Gadi is one of my older brothers (Gadi is seven years older than I am).
To begin, it breaks my heart that I have to actually sit and write this.
From all my brothers, Gadi was the one who always looked out for us. When we needed that extra dollar for a snack or toy, Gadi was the brother to go to. When it came to helping my parents around the house and business, Gadi gave it all he had. Gadi was the brother that put us to bed, took us shopping for new shirts, shoes, hats for our Bar Mitzvahs. Gadi was the one to take us to pizza every Thursday night. Gadi was the one we would go wake up early to play with when we were young children. Gadi would be the brother that got down to the floor to play Lego or cars with us.
I remember when we were in Elementary School and (as boys are boys) getting into (the usual) fights in class, I would run to my brother Gadi to come save the day. My classmates did not mind that my older brother was coming; in fact they would get excited. Gadi would come with candy and start chatting with my friends about how it’s not nice to fight etc… I remember how on the school bus, Gadi always made sure the little guys (that were being picked on) had seats and that nobody would bother them. Later on, when Gadi became a bus driver himself, he also made sure that the little guy had a seat and was safe.
My whole life I watched how Gadi went above and beyond to help another (Jew and non-Jew alike). By Gadi there is no concept of walking away from somebody who needs help. As a kid at home, I remember Gadi getting up at all times of night to help assist people in distress. At some points, I remember him running out of the house in his pajamas.
Even during the course of this long and treacherous trial, even after some long exhausting days in court, it was no surprise to hear Gadi’s voice on the Shomrim radio responding to calls of people needing assistance. Just recently, with the big snow storm, my brother Gadi was out there [in the streets] helping people get in and out of parking spaces, giving boosts and unlocking cars for those who forgot their keys inside.
Gadi was always somebody I looked up to. It’s safe to say, if it was not for his example, I would have dropped out of the Yeshiva system much before it officially finishes. Gadi always gave me that extra push to do the right thing, to make my parents proud, etc…
When Gadi was a student studying in Montreal, Canada, he would come home for a visit every few weeks. Every single time he would bring back gifts/prizes for us. I remember how he had this notebook where he would give us ‘good deed’ points. If we got a certain amount of points, we would get a prize.
I myself, thanks to Gadi, am a school bus driver. He encouraged me and helped me every step of the way to obtain a license. He took me out with his bus to teach me how to drive. He taught me with utmost patience all the in and outs (the “street smarts” so to say) of driving. He even got me the job I have today. When it comes to taking care of the buses, Gadi (and I) take care of these buses as if it were our own (we don’t get paid extra for that, its just who we are).
To say the least, Gadi is a loving brother, a loving husband, a loving father and a good friend to everybody. Gadi would never hurt another, it is not something I have seen, and in fact Gadi always (when we were kids and now to his fellow volunteers) discourages using hands to hurt another. Shomrim as an organization and as individuals are the type of people who want to help and do good things. We do not accept anybody who’s looking for action. I always like to say: ‘The people who volunteer in Shomrim are not helping people because they are in Shomrim. It is because they like helping people that they join Shomrim.’
What would I do for my brother? How much do I love him? How much is he loved?
If I had to, I would take a chance, refusing any plea deals, and sit six weeks with my brother through a long and treacherous trial with the possibility of G-d forbid getting jail time. Now, wait a minute, I did do that.
The court had the merit of seeing six individuals sticking together through thick and thin because:
1. They are a team, friends and brothers.
2. Because they know that they are innocent and innocent people don’t take deals.
They say if you want to know who a person is, just look who his friends are. Gadi Hershkop has five friends who were willing to risk their very own futures to help each other. That says a lot about Gadi himself. Gadi Hershkop is just as innocent as his five friends sitting there with him. Gadi deserves nothing more then to walk away from this without a single blemish.
G-d Bless,
your an inspiration.
Sincerely with love,
Chaim, Chani, Itchi and Bella
Hershkop
anon
To the pre-school teacher,
Logic would dictate you’d warm up faster to the clean child, and if you knew a mother could show up at any minute and see you interacting with the children, you might make the extra effort with her child! Compliments, thank yous….absolutely, but then you went into BRIBES!!! Give me tips and presents and I’ll be nice to your kid!!! Please do us all a favor and GET OUT of the classroom!
I am a big believer in Hakoras Hatov! and one must show their appreciation, particularly to teachers who sometimes feel undervalued. Does that mean my thoughtful gift at the end of the year to say thank you for all you’ve done is a waste? Perhaps I should be giving it on the first day of school with a card: ‘please be nice to my kid’
As for Gadi, Thank you for always being there for our community! You’ve answered my (shomrim) call on several occasions and I am grateful.
I do it for the children every day.
You drive a bus you say?
Yes, I do it for the children every day.
Why, with all the jobs there are?
Well, quite frankly, for me it’s the best by far!
How can I explain it to you?
I guess the truth will have to do!
It won’t be easy, but I’ll try
To explain the reasons why.
You see these children are incredible to me,
even though you find that hard to see.
Each one is an addition to my day,
in a unique and special way.
Personalities as different as they can be
but they need attention, just like you and me.
Some come with smiles, some with frowns,
some with anger and some act just like clowns!
Being a bus driver is almost like being Mom and Dad.
Sometimes I’m happy, sometimes sad, sure I can even get mad.
We’ve reached their stop, a smile and way and they’re on their way.
Anxious to share at home what happened in their world today.
I love being a small part of their life day in and day out,
my job is about them no doubt!
It’s a pleasure for me to see them all,
the big, the small, the short and tall.
Their ages span the years,
kindergarten to eighth grade to be clear.
Every child, my child, each one very dear.
My life is more complete having them near.
Have you ever had a child tell you they love you or give you a hug,
just because you made them feel safe and snug?
Well, then, now you understand why I drive that bus,
it’s for the children, for me, it’s all about “us”.
person
Gadi is a great person. He is always there for people in distress. Gadi has been volunteering for about 20 years for this community! never asked anybody for something in return!
crown and troy
Gadi was there for many times when I was in dire need of help.
Unfortunately I have had to call Shomrim a couple of times, and many times it was Gadi who came first to help me out. I thank you Gadi very much for all you did for me and for others, may you have much Success the rest of the way.
one of my heros
About 15 to 20 years ago there was a fire on empire and kingston if my memory serves me correct. it was on a second floor and there were people who were living in the place the fire was. this incident took place at about 7 in the morning. A crowd started to gather around curious, and the fire department hd been called.Before the Firemen arrived Gadi and his brother Aron pulled up in a car with their pajamas still on asking people if everyone from the 2nd floor is out of the building? nobody knew if there were still people there or not. Well it was Gadi and Aron that went in that building to look for someone who still might be there left behind!
Another parent
Thank you for putting into such beautiful my sentiments exactly. THANK YOU Gadi for all you do for my daughter, it has not gone unnoticed. Much Hatzlacha.
Completely Disgusted Parent
I agree that Gadi is a wonderful person and this was a beautiful essay about him, thank you for publishing it.
I am sorry to say that the comment from that so-called “teacher” above distracts and takes away from Gadi’s accomplishments, which is what she wanted to do in the first place- call attention to herself. I imagine she does this in her own life as well.
I wish I knew who this woman was because I would absolutely forbid my children from being in her class! How horrible that this woman insists that we must give her and all teachers “tips, compliments, and gifts” in order for her to treat the children who give to her well!
She feels warmer and more inclined to better educate the child whose parents are able and have the opportunity to visit her classroom? (why? to give that teacher a gift?) She will give more attention to the child who is better dressed and “cleaner?”
This so-called teacher is an embarrassment to the holy calling of chinuch!
wowow
such incredible responses…
att Chaim H
Really a beautiful letter
mom and preschool teacher
I feel I must add to this discussion. As a mother of children in preschool, I try my hardest to pick them up and take them to school, to see what’s giong on in the classroom and to show the teacher that i care. ( I also feel that it doesn’t hurt for the teacher to know that the parent is involved)that having been said, I, as a teacher go out of my way to give extra attention to the children who I can tell need it- those who are neglected in thier appearance, or emotionally . We (good) teachers can tell who those kids are.
also a teacher
I am not the above teacher but I can kind of relate to a few points. I treat all children equally and love them all equally, however an unkept child? While I will still treat her or him the same you can bet I’m not hugging the child who smells like yesterdays bathroom accident. And you’d be surprised at how many children do show up like that. a phone call to compliment? again while I would still treat all children the same and love the child who’s mother did not call up,- for the child whose mother DID I will take a second look. If mother said XYZ loved how you did…then it would register in my head to try to do it again for her child. I dont think the above teacher is MEAN to her students, I think she meant it just HELPS her child better.
as for a tip or gift that has absolutely no relevance to how I treat a child. While it is appreciated I would NEVER treat a child differently based on how well off my student is.
A strong head, a strong body-
A strong head, a strong body, Thank you Gadi
“Leadership begins with a choice backed by a belief that we can make a difference. It is an act of optimism, and it is to be celebrated, because leadership can be risky and is sometimes downright dangerous. Leaders are not always appreciated, their success is not guaranteed, and sometimes they are figuratively and even literally assassinated for their efforts. Many are willing to watch and criticize out of the limelight and from positions of relative safety, but I’ve always admired those who have the confidence and intestinal fortitude to lead despite the risk”.