As Rabbi Stern alluded to on Monday, our tradition understands that life—and the calendar—is filled with new beginnings; in fact, the rabbis of the Mishnah taught that there were four New Years on the Jewish calendar. Most of us, many having spent upwards of 18 years as students, still look to the beginning of the academic year as a time to refresh, restart, renew.
To our Wise School students returning to campus today and tomorrow, to our LAUSD friends who went back last week, to students around the city—welcome back! And to our Aaron Milken Center students, we cannot wait to see you in just a few weeks. To our amazing educators—thank you in advance for all you do!
This year, the beginning of school (especially our Wise School K-6th graders!) is perfectly timed for the beginning of the month of Elul, leading up to the High Holy Days. Elul, too, is a time for renewal and reflection, a time to metaphorically sharpen our pencils and open a fresh new book. This is true for all of us, whether or not we are beginning a new school year.
Traditionally, teachers and parents would place a dab of honey on the first page of a student’s book—a symbol that learning should always be sweet. As we begin this new school year—and prepare for the New Year on the horizon—we hope that your learning—whether in third grade or 35th—be sweet, your growth be meaningful, and your joy abundant.
—Rabbi Sari Laufer