Community Torah Corner, April 4, 2025

Shalom, Grandparents and Grandfriends!

My name is Marley. I am in 11th grade and am honored to speak with you all today. I have been going to GOA since I was four years old. I am what they call a “4-Lifer!”

Since Pre-K, I have experienced it all: participating in the Siddur Celebration, learning how to play the alto saxophone in the Lower School band, and singing in the 5th grade Moving-Up Ceremony. I hope some of these brought back memories of your own grandchildren. 

In Middle and High School, I made it my mission to take in everything this school has to offer. I joined the girls soccer and basketball teams which I had been looking forward to for years; the school newspaper The Flame; Names, Not Numbers; Model UN; and was recently elected President of the Student Council. 

I also went out of my comfort zone and joined the choir and even had a role in the High School musical. In addition to the many clubs and extracurriculars GOA provides for its students, there are also some fantastic classes. For example, STEM, where my class is designing and coding different inventions to present at an innovation day in a couple months, and a Judaics class called “Fast and Feast,” which covers the topics of when we eat and don’t eat according to the jewish calendar. 

Golda Och Academy is a school that caters to individual students. Not only can students be involved in something right up their alley, but they can also feel comfortable and encouraged to step out of their usual interests and try something new. 

However, I think the true beauty of this school is not in its activities, but in its people. There is nothing like this special GOA community. It is where I met my best friends, whom I know will be my best friends for life.

And amongst the incredible relationships I have developed with my peers, I have also developed personal relationships with faculty and staff.  I can, of course, speak with teachers about my classes, but I can also speak to them about life outside school, like the Yankees, yummy recipes, and the shows I’m watching. 

This school is my home and my family, and it has molded me into who I am today. I feel forever indebted to it, and I hope you all feel pride knowing that your grandchildren are attending such a strong, fun, and loving environment.

The Jewish people have experienced tremendous hardships these past few years, and now more than ever, we recognize the vital bond of Jewish peoplehood. Through all of the ups and downs, not once did I feel alone or lose any hope, and that is because such a warm and uplifting community constantly surrounds me. 

Rabbi Joshua Ben Levi said, “Whoever teaches their grandchildren Torah is regarded as if they had received the Torah from Mount Sinai, as it is said, ‘Teach your children and your children's children.’”  

This quote teaches us not only the importance of Jewish learning but also the significance of a grandparent's guidance. Your knowledge, dedication, and love have led your grandchildren to attend a Jewish day school. Being a part of this community will steer your grandchildren to a life filled with Judaism, Torah, love of Israel, and Jewish values. You have planted the seeds for generations of Jewish love, happiness, and pride.

To end, I want to paraphrase what my childhood Rabbi, Rabbi Silverstein, always says: “You know you did a good job as a parent when you send your children to a Jewish day school; you know you did a great job when your children send their children to a Jewish day school. 

You did a great job!

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your Grandparents Day. 

Shabbat Shalom!