May 22, 2025

Celebrating our Kabbalat Torah (12th-Grade) Students

By Beth Emet

In our liturgy we say to God, lador vador nagid godlecha (from generation to generation we will sing Your praises). It’s a statement of gratitude to God that despite hardship and struggle, the Jewish people have not just endured but have thrived. The Shabbat when we celebrate our Kabbalat Torah class (graduating high school seniors) and our 7th grade Gesher students is one of those moments in which I am inspired by and grateful for the next generation in our Jewish community. For the 75-year history of our congregation, we have taken Jewish education seriously at Beth Emet and raised generations of young people knowledgeable about Jewish tradition, practices, and values. More than that, they are passionate about the transforming power of Judaism in our lives.

Each year, as we celebrate these wonderful young people who are graduating high school and going off to college next year, they share their insights and what Beth Emet and Judaism means to them. Our 7th grader Gesher students had their culminating event the same evening so they can see our Kabbalat Torah students model what emerging adulthood looks like and how important Jewish engagement and learning is in high school. Following worship, the 7th graders have a ceremony in which they share with their families what they’ve learned about how Judaism and Jewish community can help them navigate their lives as they become Jewish adults.

It’s an emotional evening as we launch our students into the next phase of their lives and one filled with tremendous gratitude that we continue to thrive as a congregation and as the Jewish people.

With tremendous gratitude,

Rabbi London

Click on the names of the students below to read the essays they presented at Shabbat services on Friday May 16, 2025: