Dream Dreams

Graduation Address, Marana High School 2023, Rabbi Sam Cohon

Congregation Beit Simcha

To the impressive graduates of Marana High School’s 2023 Class, your dedicated teachers, your conscientious administrators, and your very proud parents, grandparents, siblings and friends, I offer a mazal tov, the Hebrew words for congratulations.  Mazal Tov is something we Jews say at all moments of accomplishment in life, and graduating from high school is surely one of the signal times to offer it to deserving baccalaureate recipients, to commencement-tarians.  So, again, mazal tov!      

Literally, mazal tov means “good luck”, or “may you be gifted with good fortune,” or perhaps even “May you be graced with God’s favor.”  And while you have each worked hard to reach this great day of achievement, it never hurts to have a little good luck or good fortune, or even Divine help given to you.  So, indeed, mazal tov!    

It was a while ago, of course, but I vividly remember speaking at my own high school graduation.  I even recall the beginning of that speech: “Four years ago I entered high school a nervous, insecure 9th grader, with no real idea of what direction I wanted to go in life.  Today I stand before you as a nervous, insecure 12th grader, with no real idea of what direction I want to go in life.”

Look, I’m sure that there are some of you here who believe that you know exactly where you are going and what you are going to do in the future, and I hope that you find that predetermined course in life to be both fulfilling and valuable.  It’s never bad to have a plan for your life, and even better when it works out. 

But I am also sure that most of you, no matter how bright and successful you have been so far, no matter how much energy or ambition you have, most of you still don’t really know what you want to accomplish in life.  That is also fine—and perhaps realistic.  For you can love a subject or a profession at the age of 18 and still find that there is a great deal out there in the world to discover.  It’s OK—in fact, normal, and healthy—to choose and change your professional and even personal goals a few times when you are young. 

I mean, isn’t that the point of being young?  Having the opportunity to explore this amazing world, to encounter new and different ideas and cultures, and integrate those experiences into your own lives in a positive way.  Youth is a time to dream, to travel, to journey to see just what you might become and how you can find your own place in society.  It is when you try-on various versions of your dreams, when you see which ones fit and which ones you may need to discard so that you can pursue other, better dreams. 

You will be told today not to let go of your dreams, because dreams matter.  In truth, dreams matter most when we turn them into reality.  That means we have to be pursuing the right dreams, doesn’t it?  So, on this wonderful day of celebration, I encourage you to do a little dream chasing—and do so until you find out which dreams really should belong to you.  As the founder of modern Zionism, Theodore Herzl, said, “If you will it, it is no dream.”  But that’s only true if you pursue dreams that both fit you and that you can fulfill.  And that means trying some on that don’t turn out to be the right ones.  So keep working on those dreams—and when you find the right ones, make them into reality.  Judaism is a religion of pragmatic idealism: dream, but find ways to make the best of those dreams happen. 

My friends, your graduation marks both an ending, and a beginning, the completion of your high school education and school life, and the commencement of a new part of your life, when you are truly young adults.  It is the hope of all of us here today, we older adults, that this is not the end of your education, but just a way-station on a lifelong journey of learning.

In our Jewish tradition, there is a tremendous emphasis on education, which is called Torah.  Education is highly valued and considered a fundamental pillar of our faith.  We Jews place great emphasis on the pursuit of knowledge and understanding as a path towards personal growth, wisdom, and the betterment of the world, helping us seek to perfect this often imperfect and endangered planet.  Throughout your high school years, you have been fortunate to receive an education that empowers you with knowledge, critical thinking skills, and the ability to shape your own futures.  It has prepared you for higher education, for continuing to gain in professional skills and broadening your understanding.

However, education is not solely about acquiring facts and figures. It is about nurturing your character, values, and compassion. Judaism teaches us the importance of Tikkun Olam, the concept of repairing and healing the world. It reminds us of our responsibility to make a positive impact, to stand up for justice, to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves. As you leave the structure of high school, Judaism encourages you to strive always to seek to create a world that is more just, compassionate, and inclusive.

To be honest, real education is very much about learning what you don’t know.  I have a confession to make: When I was 18 years old, the age of most of you, I was quite sure that I knew, well, everything. Every year since then I have come to realize that I know less and less. 

This is what education turns out to really be about: learning what you don’t know.  And understanding that living a valuable and meaningful life does not require knowing everything.  It means knowing how to learn, how to work hard, and how to grow in those areas that will help you fulfill the best and most valuable of those dreams.

Your graduation is a time to celebrate your achievements and look forward to the future.  Enjoy the moment, embrace the excitement, and be proud of all that you have accomplished.  And remember that the world needs you to be open to continuing to grow, and learn, always, so that you can fulfill those dreams.

There is a blessing we use in Judaism for every joyous new occasion of accomplishment.  It is called the Shehecheyanu, and it goes like this:

Baruch Ata Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha’Olam, Shehecheyanu v’Kiyimanu v’Higiyanu lazman hazeh: We bless You, God, Ruler of the universe, who gives us life, sustains us, and brings us to this wonderful time.

And so, to all you graduates of 2023: Congratulations and Mazal Tov!