To the Grade 6 class of 2025, Jerusalem, Israel

“Imma, just please don’t cry.” Was my son’s answer when I asked him if I could speak at his graduation ceremony on behalf of the parents in his school in Jerusalem, Israel.

I promised him I wouldn’t. I felt there was something important that needed to be said to the graduating 6th grade class of 2025. These kids have been through so much and as parents we needed to take a second to recognize and celebrate this momentum. 

Taking into account that we all had about 2 days to prepare for a ceremony that everyone that everyone thought would be cancelled due to the war with Iran -this is what I wrote- translated from Hebrew:

“To our distinguished guests, the boys of grade 6!

First of all—Mazal Tov!
Finishing six years of school is no small feat.
But finishing six years of school during a pandemic, a war, and then another war? That’s a whole other level!

One day, Please G-d, when your children and grandchildren ask you about your school and whether you enjoyed it, you’ll be able to tell them:

“Back in my day…
When I was in first grade, the COVID pandemic spread across the world. We had to come to school wearing masks, our classes were split into small groups—called ‘capsules.’ We had periods of isolation and couldn’t meet our friends, and we learned on Zoom (you can also tell them exactly what you did on Zoom too!)
But even with all of that, we learned how to read and write—because the school and the teachers at Mekor Chaim didn’t give up on us.

Then, just when we thought things were going back to normal—October 7th happened. The war that followed required all of us to step up.
Some parents were called up to the army, and those who stayed home were also “called up’—to support, volunteer, give what we could and to protect the home front. We packed gifts for soldiers, wrote them letters, and did what was needed to help.
And even then—no one gave up on school!
There, we learned about the heroes of Israel—those who fought, who fell, who were injured but didn’t give up.
When rockets (tilim) were fired at us, we responded with Tehillim (Psalms). We learned about the power of prayer and about miracles. We supported our friends whose fathers were drafted, and our brave “lioness” mothers whose husbands were at war.
We studied at school, and yes, sometimes we got up to mischief in class just to make things interesting… and we kept playing and meeting up with friends.

Maybe your kids will look at you and say:

“Really? You kept going to school? How?”
And you’ll answer them:
“Yes, we did. Because our school and parents didn’t give up on us. But the truth is—we didn’t give up on ourselves.
We didn’t give up on our childhood, on our education, on our friendships, or on our people.
We knew we were going through a hard time—but giving up would have meant surrendering.
And we don’t surrender. That is the secret of being a Jewish child in Am Israel, living in Eretz Yisrael.”

And maybe your kids will look at you and say:

“You were real heroes.”
And they’ll be right!

But for now, dear boys—we, your parents, are looking at you and saying:
YOU ARE REAL HEROES. SUPERHEROES!
Heroes who don’t give up on themselves, or on their friends.
Heroes who kept learning, playing, smiling, staying active, being silly sometimes, and bringing so much pride to your parents, teachers, and everyone around you.
You are true champions, and we are so proud of you.
You’ve really been through a lot over the past six years, which were supposed to just be “elementary school”—but for you, it was the school of life.

Life is like a journey. Each person has their own path—with ups, downs, twists, and surprises.
But if you keep going, step by step, with faith in G-d and in yourselves—you will go far.
Don’t forget to keep smiling, believing in yourselves, and moving forward. If you’ve made it through the last few years, you can get through anything!

Good luck in middle school—and truly, kol hakavod!
We are so proud of you! ”

I didn’t cry. I held it in and kept my promise and didn’t embarrass my son. (Phew)