Sunday April 27 was the 24th anniversary of the Oak Hill Middle School bus crash – the tragedy that took Steve Glidden, Greg Chan, Kayla Rosenberg, and Melissa Leung from their families, friends and futures. Especially in the context of the staggering toll of gun violence, the ongoing horrors in Ukraine, Gaza, and so many other places, and the fear and uncertainty that has gripped so many right here in the US, 24 years feels, simultaneously, like an eternity and the mere blink of an eye. Eternity or moment, we have grown to value and even depend upon the strength we gain from one another when we come together in community.

This year, the Circle of Remembrance took place virtually. The Circle was recorded (thanks to Elaine’s cousin Scott!) and can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/940566807. The 54-minute recording was not edited except for removing just a bit of the casual chatter at the very beginning, so please don’t expect it to look professional – but it is certainly heartfelt. Although several dozen people joined the Zoom, only those who spoke (or who made enough noise that made the camera shift to them) are visible in the video.

In addition to thanking Scott, we also want to thank Elaine’s cousins Cantor Ellen Stettner who sang the Mi Shebeirach, and Scott Stettner who served as our Zoom master. Thank you both!

SGF joins much of the world in mourning the loss of so many young lives, as well as Dick Eastland, the beloved camp director at Camp Mystic, who so valiantly tried to save as many campers as possible in the wee hours of July 4, 2025 during the flash flood nightmare in central Texas. This tragedy extends far beyond the camp’s boundaries, of course, and brings back the horror of April 27, 2001. Our hearts are crushed for every life lost, not just at Camp Mystic, but throughout the entire area. May their memories be a blessing to all.

It is a great honor to share the 2025 update of the We Remember booklet. Some readings from the older edition have stepped aside to make room for newer, or newly relevant, readings, but The Dash remains, and can still be found on page 9, where it will always be (because the number on Steve’s hockey jersey was 9).

We have a huge update to report – SGF has now crossed the $1.5 million mark!!!! Read on for details!

As of July 23, 2025, SGF has approved $55,500 in summer camp scholarships to enable 19 children to attend a total of 75 weeks of summer camp (51 of which are in overnight camps). Thus far, our “2025 kids” are having a great time in three different camps (Agassiz Village in Poland Maine, Building Bridges Through Music Summer Smart Education Thru Music in Lynn Massachusetts, and Winona Camps for Boys in Bridgton, Maine).

To date, SGF has awarded a grand total of $1,523,654.67 in summer camp scholarships. That means we have crossed a major threshold, having awarded more than a million and a half dollars since we began in 2001! Not so shabby for a tiny little all-volunteer charity with no paid staff and no fixed office space!

On behalf of our generous donors and especially for these kids, THANK YOU!

It is with an enormously heavy heart that we note the passing of SGF Trustee (and Steve’s beloved 106 year-old grandma) Lillian Alpert on May 12, 2024.

May 12 was both Mother’s Day as well as Steve’s birthday (he would have turned 36). For many people, the number 18 (and its multiples) signifies the Hebrew word “chai,” which means life, and is associated with vitality, good luck, and blessings. Thus, the “double chai” of Steve turning 36 can symbolize the double blessing of Lillian reconnecting with her grandson as a Mother’s Day gift for her, and Steve reuniting with his grandma as a birthday gift to him.

The SGF family is experiencing a complex set of emotions that we have come to call “grielief” – a mixture of grief over her passing and relief that she is no longer suffering, combined with deep gratitude that this incredible woman graced our lives for so long.

Here is the link to her obituary.

Lillian Alpert’s memory truly is a blessing. May she rest (or celebrate as she sees fit) in peace, joy, and endless love.

During the 2024 summer camp season, SGF approved $48,150 in summer camp scholarships to enable 31 children to attend a total of 109 weeks of summer camp at four different camps (52 weeks of which are in overnight camps).

On behalf of our generous donors and especially for these kids, THANK YOU!

Saturday April 27 was the 23rd anniversary of the Oak Hill Middle School bus crash – the tragedy that took Steve Glidden, Greg Chan, Kayla Rosenberg, and Melissa Leung from their families, friends and futures. Especially in the context of the staggering toll of gun violence and the ongoing horrors in Ukraine, Gaza, and so many other places, 23 years feels, simultaneously, like an eternity and the mere blink of an eye. Eternity or moment, we have grown to value and even depend upon the strength we gain from one another when we come together in community.

This year, the Circle of Remembrance took place virtually only because Elaine’s 106 year-old mom and SGF Trustee Lillian Alpert has been experiencing some significant health challenges that might have required Elaine and Bill to travel to NY on short notice to be with her. The Circle was recorded (thanks to Elaine’s cousin Scott!) and can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/940566807 . The recording was not edited except for removing just a bit of the casual chatter at the very beginning, so please don’t expect it to look professional – but it is certainly heartfelt. Although a few dozen people joined the Zoom, only those who actually spoke (or who made enough noise that made the camera shift to them) are visible in the video.

In addition to thanking Scott, we also want to thank Elaine’s cousin Cantor Ellen Stettner who sang the Mi Shebeirach, and Scott Stettner who served as our Zoom master. Thank you both!

The latest version of the “We Remember” booklet can be accessed by clicking here.

Please read and respond to SGF’s 2023 Camp Scholarship Summary and Annual Appeal! Blessings of the season in whatever way you choose to celebrate! Love and peace to all, especially those whose lives and health are in jeopardy because of the acts of others.

For the 2023 summer, SGF approved $61,398.50 in summer camp scholarships to enable 15 children to attend a total of 74 weeks of summer camp at five different camps (34 weeks of which are in overnight camps).

On behalf of our generous donors and especially for these kids, THANK YOU!

Thursday April 27 marks the 22nd anniversary of the bus tragedy that took the lives of the four Newton middle school students – Greg Chan, Kayla Rosenberg, Melissa Leung, and Steve Glidden. All are invited to attend and participate in the annual “Circle of Remembrance” on April 27 at 6 pm — live in front of Oak Hill Middle School in Newton and virtually via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85272906597?pwd=Q1VyTjlEZWVRRy9rVGQyL3RLeHk5QT09

Feel free to bring something to sit on, a shoulder to lean on, and a bottle of water if it is hot outside. As in past years, you are welcome to bring along a poem to read, a song to sing, or something to say, should you feel so moved. Bring copies to share if you wish. Please follow reasonable and respectful local and state public health precautions to prevent COVID-19 transmission, including physical distancing and mask wearing as appropriate, to protect the health and safety of others.

Although Steve, Kayla, Melissa and Greg will be specifically remembered on this day, many others in Newton and beyond have lost family and friends at other times and in other tragedies. And of course, our hearts are anguished because of the ongoing horrors in Ukraine, and because of the awful toll of gun violence in the US. The “Circle of Remembrance” will be a time to remember others as well, in the company of those who care.

Here is a link to the We Remember booklet that was created for this event several years ago.

Everyone is welcome.