Too often, the media reveals the negative aspects of our teenagers' activities.  We are here to say that we have good news. Our Max, son of Cindy and Alan and grandson of Sy and Lee, portrays a different picture; a positive view of how our Shomrei Torah youth are involved.

Max, a 16 year old sophomore at Wayne Valley High School, is a class vice president, a varsity tennis player (1st doubles country runner up), a member of the Video Club, and a board member of Wayne A.Z.A.

As if this didn't take up all of his time, he has been attending Hebrew School since 3rd grade and was recently confirmed. In addition, he was instrumental in the planning, organization and preparation of the Midnight Run. The teens involved, under Max's leadership, began preparations weeks before the "run" date of April 7, collecting donations with the help of the Congregation and the Hebrew School. BRIDGES OUTREACH, INC., as it is known, conducts weekly visits (runs) and provides necessities to those in need, fulfilling its mission to bring the housed and the homeless together in the community. Our Shomrei Torah teens collected so much and made so many sandwiches that all those in need received three packages each. Discussing the overall experience, "Everything ran so smoothly from planning to preparing, to the actual run. It was great to see how everyone came together to help the needy.", commented Max.

It seems that Max doesn't like to be idle, so he also participated in St. Paul's soup kitchen in Paterson, was involved in helping with FAMILY PROMISE and read Torah on Rosh Hashana.

In 8th grade, Max arranged for Ray Fishler to speak about his Holocaust experiences to a few classes. Since that time, Ray speaks to the entire 8th grade in all three middle schools. "It makes me very happy to know that I set up that great program and that it continues year after year," Max proudly says.

A BBYO summer Passport Teen Tour to the west coast was an experience that Max will always remember because of the amazing sites visited and because he bonded with almost 40 other Jewish kids that he had never met before. After three weeks, they were all best friends.

Mitch Alboum is his favorite author and, in particular, "Tuesdays with Morrie" his favorite book.

As far as college is concerned: "Not sure where I want to go or what to do for a living, but I guess attorney runs in the family."

When asked, "How do you influence others?", there was a moment of silence. However, all of his participatory activities clearly respond to that question.

Reading about the activities and projects that envelop Max's time can leave one breathless. Surely energetic, dedicated, challenged, spirited, caring and benevolent are just some words that characterize Max.

Involvement with self is a quality that has been said to characterize our times. This implication behind our preoccupation with ourselves cannot be attached to Max Merker, as he views the problems of society as his obligation to solve; tikun olam, to heal the world. He is a young man who succeeds as a human being striving for success.

Thank you, Max!