A Message to the Class of 2026 - To Embrace Joy and To Embrace Family

Bzchut Rabbi Lookstein, Dr. Wasserman,

Members of the Board, Parents, Grandparents, Friends, and of course, the Class of 2026!

Before I begin, I want to acknowledge our extraordinary Upper School administration, faculty, and staff. 

Thank you for the knowledge you impart, the guidance you provide, the values you model, and the unwavering support you offer our students each and every day.   

To our Senior Management Team and all of the educators from 85th to 78th street, this graduation isn't just a milestone for the seniors; it is a tribute to the collective devotion of so many of you who have had a part in shaping these graduates. 

And now to the amazing Class of 2026. 

From the moment I walked into the doors of Ramaz, I knew that this was no ordinary group of students.

You are scholars, athletes, singers, house builders, robot operators, mathematicians, daveners, Torah teachers, mishmar attenders, novel writers, stand-uppers for our people, and so much more.

But that’s not what has impressed me. 

Amid four years of your being part of something bigger through chesed activities, Israel advocacy, and civil responsibility, what’s etched in my mind are tiny snapshots of something more simple: your natural inclination for happiness and your steadfast commitment to family.

When I was visiting Ramaz as a prospective principal in the spring of your freshman year, I was immediately greeted with a warm welcome and smiles at davening. 

A young Noam Louzon came up to me and basically interviewed me on the spot.  "Welcome! Who are you? What brings you here? Can I give you a tour? 

A few hours later, I sat down at a long lunch table and asked you what you loved about the school. It happened on the day of the Celebration of the Arts. 

You beamed as you pointed out the art, sharing how our school allows you to fully express yourself and pursue your passions at Ramaz.

This natural positive energy, this happiness, is a hallmark feature of so many in your grade. 

I saw it when you finished a siyum in gemara.

I saw it when you proudly shared your app creations in Tech class that can do anything from tracking household chores to automatically organizing your groceries. 

I saw it in your enthusiasm as our boys brought home the trophy at Gyenes and in your determination as you cleaned up housing projects at The Fuller Center.

And.. as Morris so beautifully articulated, I saw it in the countless times the Cohanim of this class joyfully blessed us each morning with birkat cohanim. 

And yet, as you have retained that ability to be joyful and spread joy while at Ramaz, I am sad to report that Americans are at their lowest point of self reported happiness in 50 years.

The economy, our digital lives, the polarization of politics, you name it, our country does not scream happiness. 

But I want you to remember the words of Rebbe Nachman of Bratzlav who famously said,  

מִצְוָה גְּדוֹלָה לִהְיוֹת בְּשִׂמְחָה תָּמִיד

Mitzvah gedolah lihyot b'simcha tamid

It is a great Mitzvah to be joyful all the time!

Adding )וּלְהִתְגַּבֵּר לְהַרְחִיק הָעַצְבוּת וְהַמָּרָה שְׁחֹרָה בְּכָל כֹּחוֹ.

that we have to make every effort to keep depression at bay. (Likutei Moharan, Part II 24:1)

So, Class of 2026, channel your natural inclination to be happy. It won’t always be easy – teenagehood and adulthood is hard. But a positive outlook goes a long way and can make your life miles more meaningful.

Another trait that is synonymous with your class is….focusing on the centrality of family. 

Class of 2026, one of the elements that I find most powerful for so many of you is how you talk about your parents and grandparents.

When you are sharing about your values, personal history and role models, it is family that comes first.

One of you said,  “My role model is my grandfather. After immigrating without knowing a word of English or a dollar to his name,--he taught me resilience. Another said, or, “it is my dad who instills such amazing values in my siblings and me.”  

Another said, “my role model is my mom. Watching how she handles everything with steady determination inspires me.” Especially because of what she does when no one is watching.” 

These moments show that you have learned the most important values from those most important people. 

You gleam when talking about family traditions, teaching the Ashkenazim among us, the true greatness and holiness of a meze spread of kibbeh or the power using your grandfather’s tefillin bag during tefila each day.

Your smiles are the widest when you see your parents cheering you on the stage, in the gym, and even in the courtroom for Mock Trial.

Even in times of family loss, you speak about those who have passed with both a tear and a grin–with a pride and understanding of the eternal gifts of family legacy that you take with you every day. 

One of the greatest pieces of advice we all received this year came from a true hero, Eliya Cohen, who survived 505 days in captivity in Gaza. 

Relating to the theme and centrality of family, he told us, 

אמא, אבא, יהיו לצדכם בכל מצב, ללא תנאי, הם יהיו כשאף אחד לא יסכים להיות איתכם…….

Remember, “Your parents will be by your side in every situation, unconditionally. When no one else will be there, they will…”

Class of 2026, as you enter life outside of the walls of Ramaz, keep in mind to reach out to your parents, siblings, and grandparents, put pictures of them in your dorm rooms, and see them often!

This will not only fulfill the mitzvah d’oraita of kibud av v’aem, honoring your parents, it could even lead to an upward trend to the national downturn of well being.

Speaking of Eliya, let’s just take a moment of hakarat hatov. While we continue to mourn for soldiers who have been killed and for the many who are injured, for the first time in 3 years, we are here at graduation, 

without yellow pins, without ribbons or shawls 

Without a prayer for the hostages

Thank God, our hostages are home. 

Class of 2026, the first time I spoke to you as a class at your Sophomore Shabbaton, I shared with you a story. And this first story, will also be the last one that I share.

From the Cherokee tradition, the story is of a confused child who came to her grandfather for advice about how to live a life well lived. 

The Cherokee elder said that actually life is actually about a battle that goes on inside every one of us.

He said, "My child, the battle is between two powers, like "wolves" inside us all.

One is negative. It is anger, envy, greed, arrogance,and ego.

The other is good. It is peace, love, hope, truth, compassion, joy and happiness."

The girl thought about it for a minute and then asked her grandfather: "Which wolf wins the battle?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one that wins is the one you feed."

Class of 2026, be like the granddaughter in this story. 

Continue to feed your soul with the wisdom of your family.

Continue to feed that yester hatov, that inclination toward goodness toward joy, giving and happiness. 

We, here at Ramaz, will always be here for you as you move forward–stay in touch.

Come back and visit. 

Our doors will always be open.  

We love you.--Mazal tov.