Rav Eliyahu Dessler, (1892-1953), whose written works includes the sefer Michtav Me-Eliyahu, which is collected correspondence and ethical writings published posthumously by his pupils and which is also known in translation as “Strive for Truth,” notes that this mitzvah shows us how much one is obligated to recognize the good that someone else has done for you. If this can be true relative to the Egyptians who made us suffer so terribly, how much greater our obligation must be towards someone from whom we did not suffer from their hands.  

Let us take this directive to heart looking towards this coming year and make sure to recognize the good that others do for us. Let us express our deepest appreciation to our incredible faculty and staff for caring so deeply about their students and working to make sure that everything was ready for them to start school. They spent the first days of school thinking through to the smallest of details how to help their students learn routines, connect to their peers and to their teachers, and grow comfortable in their classes and get excited for learning. Nothing would be ready for school to begin without our administration team, who capitalized on every minute this summer to continue to work together to create and build our school.

We had parents this summer who went above and beyond to ensure that our new 2/3 Ivrit teacher from Israel could live here with what she needs. We have parents who made sure to reach out to include the new families and students of our school community and help them feel welcomed and connected before the start of school. A parent sponsored hot pretzels for our students so that the end of their first week could feel celebratory. Our PTSO worked to celebrate our teachers’ hard work and return to school by providing a special breakfast. They also are working to create and build our community through their opening event this Sunday. Our Bnot Sherut, who are new to our community, worked tirelessly to decorate the school for the first day and even baked cookies for each and every student to celebrate the start of school. Our office, technology, and facilities team worked tirelessly with us to ensure that everything was ready for school to start. Over fifty of our students demonstrated a deep commitment to Torah and Tefillah by reciting so many perakim of Tehillim this summer. Lastly, and most significantly, we appreciate you sharing your beautiful children with us, lighting each one of our days with their smiles, excitement, and interest in learning.

As we go through this school year, let us all work to recognize the good that we receive from each other and make certain to express the Hakarot Hatov to one another that is so well-deserved. It is because of our collective efforts and our deep commitment to our students and our school that Kohelet Yeshiva is a warm and nurturing place for our children to learn and grow as students, as individuals, and as Bnei and Bnot Torah. 

Shabbat Shalom,

Mrs. Becky Troodler