October 2, 2004

Dear Friends and Family,

Thanks for all the calls, cards, letters and emails, it's been sweet and healing to feel your love and support over the past month.  The strange and dark aspects of Rita's death continue to haunt us and I've been feeling a bit depleted energy-wise, but I'm basically doing fine.

The investigation into Rita's death has been a real travesty, replete with glaring incompetence, misstatements and snide remarks from government officials, stories of similar experiences from other crime victims, and a growing sense of futility - but we're not quite ready to throw in the towel.

Many have asked how to help ­ either with the investigation or just in general.  There are three tangible ways:  

1. Keep writing to the Nevis and U.S. Govt. officials that are in a position to move the investigation forward ­ all the contact info is available at my brother Walter's website: www.walterzeichner.com/nevismurder.html

2. We are not out for vengeance, but we do hope that whomever killed Rita can be found and prevented from killing again so that all the residents (and tourists) on Nevis can feel safe in their homes at night.  Our family is offering a reward on Nevis for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the responsible party(s).  We have already raised $2,500 and we welcome additional contributions: Please make/send check to:

Walter Zeichner
2455 Notch rd.
Bolton, VT 05465 USA

If the reward is not claimed within the next 12 months, it will roll over into the scholarship fund:

3. Rita really cared about young people on Nevis ­ over her years there she found ways to be supportive of numerous children and young adults, and we've decided to start a scholarship fund in her name ­ I have opened a bank account ($420 so far) and we are in conversation with folks on the island about how best to make a difference ­ most probably there will be education and art components involved.  I am administering the scholarship fund, so you can send checks to me:

Jonathan Zeichner
824 Marco Place
Venice, CA  90291

A few people have also made donations to Inside Out in Rita's honor ­ those are going straight to our Neighborhood Arts Project, serving at-risk Los Angeles youth and families and helping kids develop powerful alternatives to violence in their lives.

Please do or don't do whatever feels right ­ my personal request is just that you find new ways to be kind to others, let your loved ones know you love them, live a full life... and don't put important and meaningful things off for too long.  Oh, and please vote for a change in the White House!

I probably won't be writing to you again regarding all this for a while...  On behalf of my brothers, my Uncle Bob, my wife, Monica and son, Jobim, thanks for all your support.  It has meant the world to us.

With love,

Jonathan

To be a human, being a human being
bringing feelings, heart and passion to the world every day
one needs nourishment for the soul
It's not just your hungry belly after all
your spirit, too, needs feeding to be whole.

And if you are one who cares about your brother's plight and dreams
Your sister's cold dark nights, your elders' health, and all
the themes that weave our far flung lives into each other's
It's because somebody somewhere gave you care, and thought
and regard, was it your mother?
Maybe not, maybe a friend, a teacher, a stranger who never even told you why
But somebody somewhere took the time to look you in the eye
and confirm your humanity.

They said, you are you and that's enough
to deserve a full life and share of opportunities
to dance with grace, behold and create beauty, give and
receive love, righteous anger, and the taste of triumph on
your tongue once in a while ­ and if you're truly fortunate
that happened for you when you were a child.

Today we are all that child, and we honor and give thanks to Rita
Who gave the gifts of respect and belief to many, but there is more.

Together we are a mighty force to work with our hearts and minds
to tip the scales and counteract the bleakness and lost hopes
The negativity and unkindness that is taking over the world
To embrace the idea of looking out for more than just ourselves and our own
To open our hearts, our imaginations, our wallets and our homes.

Because there is no "us" and no "them"
There is only all of us, we're a blend
The world belongs to us all, and we to it
So don't look away, don't look down ­ take it all in, give it all back out
Express yourself truly and deeply and find your rebel shout
to remind the world and yourself that change ­ positive change is possible.  
Is necessary.  
And is all of our responsibility.

 

Jonathan Zeichner, Co-Director
Inside Out Community Arts
At the Venice Center for Peace with Justice and the Arts
2210 Lincoln Blvd.
Venice, CA  90291                           ART = LIFE
T: 310-397-8820
F: 310-398-0863
W: www.insideoutca.org
E: jzeichner@insideoutca.org