Graduation 2006 - Miami, Florida
by Rabbi Efrat Zarren-Zohar

Graduation was incredible! 60 student graduates and their families were honored. The class speeches were superb; the opening and closing with Rabbi Mitch Chefitz and Dr. Chaim Botwinick were inspirational; and Rabbi Moshe Rothchild led us in Torah study that put everything into context.

Two things to take with you that took place at graduation:


From left to right, Rabbi Efrat Zarren-Zohar, Suzanne Roberts (representing South Dade), Shep Faber at the podium (Central Dade), Jennifer Enslein  (North Dade), Sheila Silverberg (the ECE Melton class). 

Jennifer was given special tickets by Rep. Kendrick Meek to hear Prime Minister Ehud Olmert address Congress in Washington DC the very day of graduation and because Melton was so meaningful to her, she flew home just in time to attend our Melton ceremonies at 7pm. Now that's dedication and kavod for Jewish learning! What great role modeling for all the children and family members there.

Second, was the message by Rabbi Chefitz, who related a story about Rabbi Samuel Atlas, one of his professors in rabbinical school. Rabbi Atlas' was renowned as a teacher with very high standards, and his class was known to be incredibly difficult . One particular class session, a student prepared a brilliant presentation of a particular Jewish text; it was head-and-shoulders above what any other student had yet done. At the close
of his teaching, Dr. Atlas looked at him and said, "You are an am ha-aretz (an ignoramus)." Everyone in the class was appalled. How could such a great presentation get such terrible reviews? Then Dr. Atlas went on to say, "But don't worry. Compared to your classmates, it's a madreigah (a step up on the ladder of Jewish knowledge)" What he was saying (though not very kindly) was--at this stage in your learning, being an am ha-aretz is at least a STEP UP from where you and your classmates were before! Having come from a pretty limited Jewish background myself, I can relate. And how many times have I heard Melton students tell me they didn't know how truly ignorant they were until they took Melton. Now they know they don't know. But, never fear, my friends, knowing you don't know IS a madreigah. Our task is to continue up the ladder, slowly but surely, as high as each one of us can climb. Thanks Mitch for that great story!

 Miami Mini-School

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