Our children are a source of radiance and bracha in our lives. They come into this world with the spark of Hashem, which nurtured by an education filled with wonder and joy, enables that spark to grow into a robust commitment to Torah and love for Am Yisrael. It is a privilege for us to wake up every day with the goal of teaching and inspiring our students to take pride in and be eager to learn Torah. Every step of the growth we observe is a reflection of the love, consistency, and modeling provided by us, their parents and teachers.
This week as we celebrate the nes of Chanukah, we add one candle to the chanukiah each night to signify that when we are faced with darkness, with Hashem’s help, our light will always grow stronger and never be diminished. Even a small flame has the power to dispel the darkness. With each tragedy that has befallen our people throughout history, and painfully into the present, we only grow stronger and more dedicated to preparing our children to bring their new light to the world, their Ohr Chadash.
This past Sunday, our second graders received their first Chumash in a celebration filled with song and family learning that filled our hearts with nachat and hakarat hatov. It was beautiful to see our children seeing songs about Torah, and then holding their own treasured Chumash in their arms for the first time. Joining together with their parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents to celebrate their learning was a moment of fulfillment of “v’higadeta l’vincha”—the sacred obligation to transmit Torah from one generation to the next (Shemot 13:8).
Beyond these milestone moments, we are blessed with the daily zechut of seeing our students, from ECC 2s through eighth grade, engage in Torah learning with sincerity, curiosity, and ahavat Hashem. Like the lighting of the chanukiah, our children’s spiritual connection grows step by step, day by day, under the guidance, care, and nurturing of their rebbeim and morot. They love davening, whether or not their families are watching, and they sing the tefillot together, as a community, with clarity and purpose. It is a sight to behold!
In very challenging times, these are the moments that strengthen and redouble our resolve as a school. There can be no greater purpose for us than to ensure that our students carry a deep, confident Jewish identity illuminated by the light of Torah, and anchored by a fund of knowledge, skills, and dedication to chesed, emunah, and middot, that will enable our children to bring light to a darkened world.
Shabbat Shalom! Chanukah Sameach!