Weekly Message 6-11-13

June 11, 2013 Shalom Chaverim,  

It is hard to believe that the 2012-2013 school year has come to a close.   

On Sunday we celebrated Gann Academy’s 14th graduation and bid farewell to the Class of 2013. From individual student speeches to the grade-wide siyum (ceremonial conclusion of their four years of study) to the awarding of diplomas, the morning overflowed with great energy, love, and support for our graduates.  

I took one last opportunity to speak to our graduates about pluralism and community and how these two core values play out in our relationships with makhloket (conflict) and shalom (peace). You can click here to read my remarks, entitled “Ohev Shalom, Rodef Shalom – Love Peace, Pursue Peace”.  

Please join me in wishing our graduates special mazel tov and b’hatzlachah (good luck) as they move on to the next exciting stage of their journeys.  

Our rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors completed their final exams and a year of learning and growth, both in and out of the classroom. I am looking forward to another wonderful year with them next year.  

As I reflect on what I have learned this year, I feel so blessed to be part of this extraordinary group of learners—students, faculty, staff, administration, parents, and the broader Gann community—who are so passionate and dedicated to this school and its mission.  

Thank you all for your partnership and support and for caring so deeply about our students’ intellectual, moral, and spiritual development.  

I wish all of you a restful, restorative, and fun summer!  

With blessings of gratitude and appreciation,  

Rabbi Marc Baker