Consistent with the late Daniel Pearl’s principles of tolerance and understanding, more than 60 students from several East Brunswick-area houses of worship and youth groups came together on Dr. Martin Luther King Day for the third annual Daniel Pearl Education Center trip to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. 

The students – representing the Daniel Pearl Education Center at Temple B;nai Shalom, St. Bartholomew’s School, the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, the India Association of Central Jersey and Aldersgate Church -- joined clergy, parents and other chaperones and Daniel Pearl Education Center committee members. The Daniel Pearl Education Center committee sponsors non-denominational, community-wide programs to honor the memory of the late Wall Street Journal reporter, who was kidnapped and murdered by extremists in Pakistan in 2002. 

“I really believe, deep down inside, that Danny would loved what we’re doing here,” said Dr. Andrew Boyarsky, chairman of the Daniel Pearl Education Center committee. “To have such a diverse group of students – from grades 8 through 12 and representing synagogues, churches and youth groups from East Brunswick and surrounding communities – participating on this trip was an incredible way for all of us to honor his memory.”  

Before the buses left Temple B’nai Shalom at 7:15 a.m., the teens were surprised by a special guest -- Rep. Rush Holt. The congressman urged the teens to use the day as a learning experience and to speak out against all injustice and inhumanities.  

Once at the museum, the teens and chaperones toured the exhibits for several hours. There was silence, and there were tears.  "This is not an easy place to visit -- not for the teens and not for the adults," Dr. Boyarsky said.  

Following the trip to the museum, the DPEC contingent got back on the buses for a short ride to the Lincoln Memorial. They walked up the steps, read Lincoln's great words, and also visited the spot where Dr. King gave his famous "I have a dream" speech in 1963.