You Can Have Your Space, Cowboys
A Message to the Class of 2025
You can tell a lot about a person by the playlists on their phones.
And when I think of the Class of 2025, there is a playlist that is being put together in my mind.
There is, of course, Am Yisrael Chai, with images of so many of you dancing on 78th street, arms locked with joy and conviction on Yom HaAtzmaut. There is Od Yoter Tov -the song that escorted IDF soldiers into the school just a few months ago with your collective embrace.
There is Barukh HaShem It’s Shabbos which we hear each week as we leave the school lobby on Friday afternoons, wishing each other a sweet Shabbat..
Uvenei Otah, from our celebration just a few weeks ago at the Kotel on Yom Yerushalayim.
Acheinu as we pray for the hostages and the IDF and even serve them dinner on an army base.
And, of course, there is Tomorrow, that timeless song of hope, which you all sang with energy and joy even after 24 straight hours of no sleep at the 24 hour musical.
But the song that recently, one student, shared with me, is the one that is playing in my head as I begin to think about you leaving Ramaz.
It’s a lesser known song, called Space Cowboy, by Kacey Musgraves which contains a message that I want to share.
In it, she writes:
boots weren't made for sitting by the door
Since you don't wanna stay anymore
You can have your space, cowboy
I ain't gonna fence you in.
Today, as you leave, you are being given your space, your freedom. And freedom, according to Musgraves, is putting on your boots, running outside that fence and moving forward.
R.Ilyae Efron, in his sefer, Drushim, echoes this idea when he talks about freedom in his commentary on the Yovel, the Jubilee.
He quotes Israeli songwriter Yaakov Gilad who writes, Chofshi ze lgamrei levad. Freedom is, simply, fully being alone.
From here on in, it is your journey, your agenda, your path ahead to pave.
Especially over the past few months, as graduation was becoming more of a reality, whether at a lunch table in the cafeteria, in the classroom, or on the bus in Israel, many of you shared your “after Ramaz” plans with me.
They are full of anticipated far off adventures, soaring to new vistas and exciting explorations.
As one of you shared with me in Israel, “I just cannot wait for my freedom–to learn new ideas and to meet new people.”
Yes, chofshi, ze lgamrei levad. Freedom is done alone.
And while this is an important graduation message, it is just a part of the message I want to share because there is another, equally critical definition of freedom –freedom that contains room for others.
R. Efron also quotes another songwriter, Shlomo Gronich who said, itcha, ani yodeah sherak itcha ani chofshi, you know, it is only with you, only in community, only with others that I am free.
This is a song we should also add to our playlist because freedom is also being in a community –one that is supportive, nurturing and sacred.
Here at Ramaz we have already seen the freedom that comes from being with peers in teams and clubs.
Whether it has been on the gym floor, the robotics track, the mock trial courthouse, on the stage in the cast of a show or on the street of New York rallying for the hostages, you have explored and found your true selves. You have asserted your freedom by being engaged in the communities at Ramaz that fit both who you are and who you want to become.
In Pirkei Avot, with respect to Torah, Rav Nehorai shares an important lesson about this need to be in community.
4:14
רַבִּי נְהוֹרַאי אוֹמֵר, הֱוֵי גוֹלֶה לִמְקוֹם תּוֹרָה, וְאַל תֹּאמַר שֶׁהִיא תָבֹא אַחֲרֶיךָ,):
He said: go, on your own, to a place of Torah and say not that it will come after you.”
And while he is talking about the religious journey, his lesson is much broader. He is telling you to put yourself with people and spaces where the values align with yours — with your religious, ethical and moral compasses.
Know this —Your best self will not just follow you, אַל תֹּאמַר שֶׁהִיא תָבֹא אַחֲרֶיךָ. You have to actively surround yourself with good people, good mentors and good opportunities. Even in places when the prevailing culture is not fully in line with who you are, whether it be on campus or in an internship or in an office, remember to always actively seek out “your people and your spaces.”
Freedom is also with others.
Speaking of spaces, in going forward, it is also essential to remember and keep with you the spaces that you are leaving.
In a book that Ms. Krupka shared with me, called Makom Ba-olam by Chili Tropper, there is a strong description of the spaces that we, as educators, the faculty here at Ramaz, have strived to create.
He writes:
אנו מנסים
לייצר להם לפחות מקום אחד יציב לגרום להם להרגיש שיש להם מקום בטוח
…ויש שם מי שמבין אותנו -
While we, the Ramaz faculty, have worked to create spaces for hundreds of classes, dozens of activities and trips, most importantly, we work, daily, to create spaces that, as Tropper says, make you feel stable,grounded, secure, and understood. Those are the most important spaces.
And finally, there is one more space, the most critical one–your home.
Your parents and families have been the ones who have worked tirelessly to be your supporters, your defenders, and your greatest cheerleaders.
It is they who have committed their full hearts and energies and have invested to make your homes a space for support and growth.
So, Class of 2025, as you set out today, and you look forward, don’t forget to look back–remember those lessons and those spaces.
Remember—No matter where you go, no matter which spaces you explore, your dedicated teachers, and most importantly, your loving families will always be there.
Musgraves’ song end by saying:
When a horse wants to run, there ain't no sense in closing the gate.
You can have your space, cowboy
Class of 2025, the gates are no longer closed.
Clear away the rocks, even the 600 pound ones, pave your paths, and firmly plant yourself - thrive and flourish-—take your space!
The Jewish people and humankind needs you!!!
We will always be here for you–stay in touch.
Come back and visit. - Our doors, our space, will always be open.
We love you.--Mazal tov.
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