|
May 24, 2024 - 17 Iyyar 5784 Parasha Behar: Graduation:MAZEL TOV!
I hope this correspondence finds you doing well and enjoying the beautiful weather. Please join us tomorrow from 10:00 am - noon for Shabbat services, which will take place in our refurbished sanctuary and be followed by a delectable Kiddush. As always, services will be available on our regular Zoom prayer link. Across the country, students and loved ones have been gathering in honor of the sacred traditions of commencement season. Representing the culmination of years of scholarship, study, and community service, these ceremonies are overflowing with dignity, pomp, and circumstance. Historically, ceremonies for graduating students date back to the first universities in Europe (circa twelfth century). At that time, Latin was the language of scholars and a universitas was a guild of masters (such as MAs) with license to teach. The familiar terms "degree" and "graduate" come from Latin’s “gradus,” meaning "step,” indicating that those participating were ready to take the next step into the world of scholarship or even, the world at large. One of the most distinctive traditions surrounding graduation ceremonies includes the recognizable attire of cap and gown. Some suggest that because the Church was highly influential at this time, students and teachers typically wore these gowns as imitations of clerical clothing. In fact, many professors were themselves priests, monks, or clerics, and students were often studying to emulate their teachers’ work within the scope of the religious domain. Secular historians alternatively proffer that those scholars wore long robes and hoods in large, book-lined, unheated buildings, simply to retain body warmth! Another prevalent custom of which you are no doubt familiar is the switching of the tassel from one side of the mortarboard to the other. The tassel, before graduation, symbolizes time as a student. When the student shifts it to the other side, he/she is confirming their newly acquired graduate status. Today, this simple but beautiful tradition is performed at commencements across the country. Whether you are a student, a sibling, a friend, a proud parent, a loving grandparent, or an honorary relative, these ceremonies should be a source of great joy, pride, and Naches (joy and pride). If you are fortunate enough to be celebrating this season, please accept our genuine wishes of Mazal Tov! Meanwhile, at the country’s preeminent academic institution, this week’s graduation resulted in alumnus Samantha Ettus creating a short social media video entitled Harvard’s Horror Story. Samantha received both her undergraduate and MBA degrees from Harvard. Her video noted that on Monday of this past week, 13 students were not disciplined for their participation in recent illegal campus protests and encampments. Later in the week, however, that decision was overturned by The Harvard Corporation, which essentially functions as Harvard’s Board. The students were informed, appropriately, that they had been disqualified from participation in commencement exercises. In response, at Harvard’s graduation ceremony, one thousand (!) faculty and students disrupted the ceremony by walking out, thus actively standing in support of students who were complicit in anti-Israel, anti-Zionist, and antisemitic activity. Furthermore, the university’s acting President, Alan Garber (a Jew), was audibly booed during his speech and formal remarks. His remarks, incidentally, had nothing to do with the situation in the Middle East. Garber’s religious identification alone was enough to draw the ire of the copious masses. Finally, Maria Ressa, the designated student speaker, claimed how tough the week had been for her as she had been accused online of being antisemitic. Denying such allegations, she then amazingly proceeded to echo traditional antisemitic tropes by saying that she was attacked due to the influence of “power and money because they want power and money.” You can likely guess the implied target of her hyperbolic vitriol. As I direct your attention to more local campuses, some of you may remember one of our guest speakers from earlier this year, Eliana Fisher, who spoke to us about legally defending and supporting those entitled to benefits through the American Disabilities Act. She shared her passion for assisting those in need and her desire to advocate for the disabled. While there are more lucrative legal fields, Eliana aspires to Tikkun Olam and making the world a better place. Eliana’s graduation at CUNY, however, was marred by an ongoing stream of kafiyah-laden students ascending the podium, waving hand-held Palestinian flags, and unfurling large “pro-Pal” banners. While graduating with her friends and cohort should have been a moment of satisfaction, pride, and joy, the experience was transformed to the trauma of heartfelt tears and abject alienation. Friends, we are all likely appalled by the above anecdotes. Nonetheless, some colleges got it right. Some institutions were blessed with adults who decided to finally be the adults in the room. These administrators simply posted signs outside the halls which read, in a straightforward fashion: This graduation is for ALL to enjoy. Anyone who disrupts the proceedings will be removed by the police. Most of the colleges that had such signs were able to provide a fully appropriate experience for those assembled, both Jew and non-Jew. Sometimes, it’s okay to say NO. To those adults who did, I say MAZAL TOV and YASHER KOACH (more power to you)! To those students who graduated and navigated a contentious semester, I say MAZAL TOV and YASHER KOACH. Finally, to those individuals who continue to voice their support for morality, Torah values, the people of Israel and Medinat Yisrael, whether at graduations, on social media, or during their daily routine, I will forever say MAZAL TOV and YASHER KOACH! Let’s keep up the good work and bring peace and joy to the world. Afterall, it is what we do. Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Eric L. Wasser, EdD, Hon DM.
|
