Following a grant allocated to JDS for security expenses, Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. visited the Upper School on Sept. 21 to attend a security briefing and speak to the high school.

The visit was scheduled after Interim Principal Roslyn

was contacted by Ehrlich’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Ed Miller, in mid-September and told that the Governor was interested in visiting the school.

Upon his arrival, the governor met with Head of School Jonathan Cannon, Chief Operating Officer Susan Brinn Siegel, members of the Board of Directors and other administrators to receive a briefing on the new security program at the school.

The press was not admitted to this briefing.

Ehrlich was then interviewed by members of the Lion’s Tale editorial board, before continuing on to speak to the high school in the gym.

President of the Board Nancy Hamburger, Cannon and senior Julie Brinn Siegel introduced the governor.

Ehrlich spoke to the students, explaining the unique funding the school received from the federal and state departments of Homeland Security.

“I’m pleased to announce that this is the first Jewish school in the country to benefit from this source of funding. In fact, to my knowledge, Maryland is the first state in the nation to allocate monies towards the protection of Jewish sites,” he said.

Though the Governor’s message was heavily focused on the idea that “today we live in a less secure world—facing a nontraditional kind of enemy who has forced us to do things in new ways,” he left the students with words of encouragement.

“I want you to take advantage of your God-given talent in a safe environment,” he said.

Landy commended the students’ behavior.

“I was very proud of our students, who, whatever their political persuasion, were very respectful,” she said. “I thought most kids enjoyed it.”

“And if they didn’t, the good thing is that when they were in the room they didn’t show it,” she added.

While most students acknowledged the unique opportunity of a visit from the governor, many were irked by the nature of the experience.

Junior Ezra Deutsch-Feldman, who passed out John Kerry campaign stickers prior to Ehrlich’s visit, said that “it was a nice experience to see the governor, but nothing was gained by him coming. It felt like he just came to take pictures of himself.”

Senior Rachel Cohen took a different approach. “My issue isn’t with the governor, it’s with the school,” she said.

“The governor was just doing what a politician does—he was politicking. But a school is dedicated to education, not political propaganda and to miss class so the governor would have a chance to look good for cameras seems contrary to what a school should be about.”

“I didn’t mind the disruption [of the visit],” said Science teacher Kimberly Agzigian.

“I thought it was a good experience for students to educate themselves on politics.”

“Our students tend to be liberal, but you have to be willing to hear all points of view and then make an informed decision,” she said.

“I think the students viewed his visit with a critical eye, but actions speak louder than words and the way in which some students embraced the governor speaks louder than any critique,” said English teacher Mark Barrionuevo.

“It is always good to have the more personal connection and maintain close relationships with elected officials,” said Cannon.

Senior Eitan Freedenberg agreed, and said that “it was important and comforting for him to show that we are part of the Maryland community and of the world community.”

Some students and faculty felt that the extensive media coverage of Ehrlich’s visit and of the security measures might have made the school more of a target for terrorists by means of overexposure.

Agzigian felt that the visit has the potential to be both positive and negative.

“I think the visit was a double-edged sword. It was good that the governor showed his support for the Jews, but it seems to have made us a target,” she said.

Landy was more skeptical.

“It looks like we’re a target much more than we are and I wonder if that will scare people away,” she said.