Axels follow family tradition of sharing religious tradition

By Deborah Moon Seldner

Tradition—both religious and familial—prompted two Sunset High School students to don their tefillin and tallitot and talk to their schoolmates about Judaism one recent afternoon.
"I'm proud to be Jewish and to help others understand my religion and culture," said Daniel Axel, who with his sister Abigail and Priscilla Kostiner discussed Judaism in the religion and philosophy class at Sunset. "It's understanding that is the beginning of, we can hope, friendly relationships between people or entire nations."
Kostiner, a former president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and an active member of Congregation Neveh Shalom, has been a guest speaker in religion and comparative religion classes at various high schools across the metro area, with the exception of Portland Public Schools, since 1984.
Bill Priester, the current religion and philosophy teacher at Sunset, said that the speaker presentations are the best part of the elective course for 10th- through 12th-graders. Each semester, he brings in speakers from Mormon, Jehovah's Witness, Buddhist, Islam, Christian Science, Wicca and Christianity in addition to Judaism.
About six years ago, then-religion teacher Matt Hiefield, told Kostiner he had a student who would be interested in helping her make the presentation on Judaism to the class. Kostiner, who knew David Axel and the whole Axel family from their involvement at Neveh Shalom, said she would be delighted to have a co-presenter.
Since then, a succession of Axels have participated in the presentations at Sunset High School. After David graduated, his brother Michael took over. When Michael graduated, Daniel stepped in. Now Daniel is a junior and Abigail, a freshman, took part in the family tradition for the first time.
Abigail said that in addition to continuing the family tradition, she agreed to help out because, "I think it gives the students a perspective they can relate to better. They see Judaism from a high schooler's view. ? Daniel and I know what would be more interesting to people our age and we can get the information to them in a more 'teen-friendly' way."
Kostiner said she believes it is very helpful to have a teenager participate in the presentation.
"It's fascinating to see the awe and attention they get when they put on tefillin and talk about why they do it," she said.
Daniel said he doesn't wear a kippah at school, though he has thought about doing so, and he puts on tefillin there only for the class presentation.
"It is a little weird," he said of putting on tefillin at school. "However, I'm proud to do so if it educates in a tradition."
"The student aspect of the presentation I think has the most impact by saying, 'We're here and we can answer your questions,'" said Daniel.
Both the Axels said students have asked them questions about Judaism and Jewish traditions outside of class.