CBI Blogs

It’s hard to believe that another school year is approaching its end. In another couple of weeks, our hardworking students will finish their classes, take their last exams, and for many, they will graduate and receive their diploma, whether it comes from high school, college, or beyond. 

As we learned from Hillel in Pirkei Avot, “The person who does not increase their knowledge, decreases it.” Our students have spent the entire last year learning, growing, and deepening their knowledge about a variety of subjects. While I hope I never have to complete another exam in my life, I know that as a human being and especially as a Jew, learning is a life-long endeavor. It’s a privilege to learn. And even when that learning is challenging, we are given an opportunity to expand our minds in such beautiful ways. 

So, let’s celebrate that learning. Let’s honor our students’ hard work and bless those about to embark on a new endeavor. We want to celebrate the end of this school year and our graduating students with a special Shabbat on May 16. We will gather in our transitional sanctuary in Smith Auditorium for campfire Shabbat, a laid-back and casual evening that will include songs, prayers, a short story, and a blessing for those who plan to graduate at the end of this semester. 

And, to really drive the point home, one more quote from Pirkei Avot, this time from Rabbi Yishmael: “He who learns in order to teach will be enabled both to learn and to teach. But he who learns in order to practice will be enabled to learn, to teach, to observe, and to practice.” 

May all of our students be enabled to achieve great things with the learning they’ve completed. May they be filled with passion and enthusiasm to keep deepening their knowledge. May they continue to grow both in mind and body throughout the summer. And may they return in the fall rejuvenated and ready to learn more. 
We look forward to seeing you on May 16 at 6:30!