Rabbi Jill Maderer’s Blessing to the Buerger Early Learning Center Graduates, Congregation Rodeph Shalom, 2014

(Inspired by this year’s Dr. Seuss week…)

 

The sun did not shine,

It was too wet to play.

So Bueger ELC

Had graduation day!

 

Many of you‘ve

been with us from start.

Others are new friends.

Could it be time to part?

How could time go this fast,

Like in the film Frozen,

When Anna sprouts, each frame

In “Do You Want to Build a Snowman.”

 

It’s because time goes so fast,

That we celebrate holy days.

And make our time sacred,

in so many ways.

 

Especially for Shabbat,

When there’s a dinosaur,

Who loves challah as much as you,

And comes knocking on that door.

 

Now, so much grape juice later,

You’ve all grown and learned

With Morah Andi, Suzy, Kim, Emily and Catie,

And now it’s your turn…

 

To go make new friends

And move onto something new,

To show teachers and parents

All you can do.

 

Now in those times

When good choices will be hard,

And you need to figure out how to be kind,

In the schoolyard…

 

I pray you remember

And feel this, too:

God made you holy

God made you, you!

 

And we have the Torah,

Here to teach you and me,

How to be a good friend

And be the best we can be.

 

Now, a word of your parents:

They beam with pride

They want you to be your best,

And are always on your side.

 

Parents, I thank you,

For being a part,

Of this sacred community,

With your souls and your hearts.

 

Ellie and Max,

Dylan and Ari,

Zander and Addie,

And Charlotte, that’s Charlie:

 

Beau, Abe, Noah, Brody

Yanna and Levi,

Joshie, Benjamin, Peleg,

Sammy and Eli…

 

Wherever you go,

You always have a home

Here on North Broad

At Rodeph Shalom.

 

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Source of all, for keeping us alive, sustaining us, and bringing us to this moment.

Baruch Ata Adonai, Elohenu Melech ha-olam shehecheyanu vekiamanu vehigianu lazman hazeh.