Your Extra Time

How will you use your extra time?

Reb Scott posed that question to inquiring middle schoolers before they left for Thanksgiving vacation. Taking in the sobering events of last night, our teen students considered what they could do over this holiday to participate in the healing of our city. We explored the following thoughts of Rav Abraham Isaac Kook which implore us to take action:

The purely righteous do not complain about evil, rather they add justice. They do not complain about heresy, rather they add faith. They do not complain about ignorance, rather they add wisdom.

One thing I love about Jewish tradition is that it is our responsibility to do something to take part in the healing. Our moral compass directs us to deliver items to food pantries, firefighters or police stations, to write letters to the editor or politicians, to bring people together in dialogue and to build bridges.

A Pirkei Avot message reminds us every time we enter the middle school that “We are not responsible for completing the work of repairing the world, but neither are we free to neglect it.” 

I have heard from many of you that you are grateful to have a return to normalcy today. Abstract, complex issues that we study in school became a reality last night. While many of our younger students are unaware, we parents need some healing. 

May this holiday weekend be one of peace, healing and gratitude for the many gifts in our lives. Thank you for the gift of your incredible children, and for trusting us to be your partners in raising them to shine their lights amidst the darkness.

Shabbat Shalom,

 Morah Cheryl