By Micah L., Eighth Grade, Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation
Winston Williams, endearingly known by many as just “Winston,” has been a custodian and a member of the maintenance department at Krieger Schechter Day School and Chizuk Amuno Congregation for the past 48 years. He is loved and respected by generations of students, faculty members and congregants.
As an employee of the congregation and its schools, Winston is responsible for many things. According to Rabbi Moshe Schwartz, KSDS headmaster, Winston does anything “from fixing things that are broken, to ensuring that trash and recycling are collected and put in the proper bins outside, to setting up rooms before programs.”
Also, “for many years, [Winston] opened the building every morning. If the building’s not ready for us to have students, the lights aren’t on, the heat’s not up, then we can’t do our jobs as educators,” Rabbi Schwartz said. Winston is the one who makes sure that KSDS and Chizuk Amuno are opened and ready to serve.
Winston is also an integral part of the community at Chizuk Amuno and KSDS. He is a familiar and friendly face as well as one of the longest serving employees in the building, working there for almost half a century.
Micah B, an eighth grader at KSDS, said that “[Winston] is much like a pillar, like a building block. The community really wouldn’t be the same without [him]. He works hard to help keep it clean and friendly.”
Not only does Winston care deeply for the people around him, but he also goes above and beyond in other ways. Vered Nusinov, Middle School English Department chair, said she wasn’t able to water the plants that she kept in her classroom during pandemic closures. Instead, Winston stepped in without prompting or solicitation to nurture them.
According to Nusinov, “He is just that kind of person, one who cares about the building and the people who work there. Everything matters to him. He has a huge heart.”
Overall, Winston Williams is a wonderful member of the Chizuk Amuno faculty. The community wouldn’t be the same without him. Rabbi Schwartz said, “He’s a hard worker and has always been, and most importantly he’s warm and friendly.”
Micah L. is an eighth grade student at the Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation.
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