It is hard to believe that it has been 30 years since I graduated from JDS. I have kids of my own, one who is older than you and one just a year younger, I have a niece and nephew who are in the lower and middle school, a sister who works here, and most relevant for today, longtime friends whose children are amongst you as graduates. 

Where did the time go?

In some ways-let’s be honest, so much has changed. In 1995, AOL was just coming on the scene, the Peace Process in Israel was underway, and as writer Thomas Friedman once said, about a time gone by

"Twitter was still a sound
The cloud was still in the sky
4G was a parking space
“applications’ were what you sent to college”

And yet, while the landscape has changed, when I think about what I learned at JDS and how it helps me each and every day as a Rabbi in NYC, I realized, that the essence of what it means to graduate from JDS has stayed the same and I believe will guide you-
30 years ago, I was able to learn the value of pluralism with the multiple minyanim that were offered. There are very few communities today where people of varying ideas and commitments, are still able to come together in the same way to honor each other by giving each other different ways of expressing their perspectives. 

Unfortunately, what we have seen over 30 years is that the silos that we could say were created by living in our own spaces have resulted in everyone streaming their own show, watching their own news channel of choice, and seeing ads targeted to them on social media, but if we can take the essence of a pluralistic approach, that we have learned here-where that there are times to be separate and times to be together, I can ensure you, that whether you are at college, in a job, serving in the US or Israeli military, your ability to know who you are but value others, will go a long way for your relationships, and for our society.

30 years ago at JDS, there were days and nights where I struggled with the coursework. Mrs Bresnick’s English class, Rabbi Bell’s Rabbinics Class, Mrs Brodsky’s chemistry classes. Who doesn’t struggle? But what I learned then is that hard work, a commitment to deep thinking, and a willingness to be uncomfortable in learning, can help anyone persevere. Not everything should come easily. Sometimes we will encounter classes that are hard, professors that think differently, students that challenge you-but if you know how to think, read, write, ask good questions, and be willing to work hard, all qualities that JDS has taught you, you will succeed.

But here is something that has changed. Something that I took for granted. 30 years ago, I thought antisemitism was something I learned about only in my 11th grade Jewish history class and I assumed I could speak about Israel without being perceived as the bad guy. But here we are-I don’t need to tell you that things have changed. But then, and today, JDS set the groundwork, in partnership with families, synagogues, camps, community centers, and more, to give you the foundation to know that being part of the Jewish people matters. That showing up matters. That being proud matters. That you matter. 

That doesn’t mean you will agree with everything a Jewish communal institution stands for, and it doesn’t mean you will agree with everything a country’s government does…but it does mean that we are a part of a chain of tradition and a people that goes back 3000 years, and being able to count on each other, as we go into the world, that will look and feel different from this little slice of heaven, is crucial. Don’t get me wrong. I want you to go out and figure out who you are. And I don’t only think you should join Hillel or a Jewish fraternity or sorority, though those things are important. Just as important, think about the time you spent in high has provided school on student council or yearbook, or sports, or the newspaper, or acapella, and be a part of those clubs because your presence and your voice as a Jewish young adult who has the wisdom and knowledge from your years here, should and must be shared. People need you. 

30 years ago, I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I grew up. That was ok. It was ok because I had friends and teachers whom I could count on. Who had my back and whose back I had. 

So, while yes, 30 years later, I have figured out what to do as a grown up, what has been a constant is the ability to call on my friends, my teachers, my mentors, my family, and the Jewish people as I have been on that journey. We are all here for you on your journey. Please just reach out call. Mazal tov.