Summertime is a season of joy and sadness too; a time to celebrate the successful completion of a challenging school year, especially for our seniors, and also the time of year that calls for the observance of the Three Weeks and Tisha Be-Av.

We have posted graduation with its theme, Making A Connection. Please listen to the outstanding speeches made by the class speakers and to the beautifully performed cantata. Click here and celebrate with our seniors and glow in their achievements.

In certain ways, watching the imagery of  our Yom HaShoah program, listening to the speakers who presented most passionately on that day and to the chamber chorus and  choir sing,Vehi She-amdah, helps us to reflect on the historical relevance of this period of mourning as well. Visit the Yom HaShoah page and you will feel inspired by the presentations made by Philip Trencher (10), Mr. Mel Laytner, Rabbi Mayer Moskowitz, Dr. Edith Honig and Ms. Liesel Appel, daughter of a high ranking Nazi commandant.

The basketball championship photos are also posted, click here and you will surely smile seeing some shots of our varsity champs.

Wishing you all a healthy and relaxing summer break, shared with family and friends.

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Just a few minutes ago at Mincha services in the Upper School, I spoke to the entire student body about the crisis in Israel and its implications for all of us in America.

If you listen to the recording you will note that I essentially read to them an article written on the spur of the moment yesterday by Dr. Daniel Gordis. I believe it made a very big impact on the students. I hope it will have a similar impact on you. 

I just spoke with Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice President of the Presidents Conference in order to ask him what we can do to help. He suggested that we all watch and listen to as much media as possible and alert the Presidents Conference if we hear or see Israel maligned or described unfairly. Examples of such treatment should be sent to info@conferenceofpresidents.org. They will immediately contact the media source to correct the information and the perspective.

Thank You,
Rabbi Haskel Lookstein

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