A Day School Moment.

This morning, my wife and I took our eighth grade son to the airport for his first trip to Israel. It was exciting and moving for us, as we recognized that not only is our son going far away, but he's going to Israel for the first time in his life.

For ten years, our son has studied at a Jewish Day School where forging a strong connection to the State of Israel has been a cornerstone of the school's education. He has learned about Israel, met and studied with Israeli-Americans, and shared Israeli cultural norms.

Today, he left for a 12 day trip for Israel.

As the students prepared to leave, amidst all of the excitement of a long journey, the students and the parents shared a Traveler's Prayer. It was one of those moments in which the potentially ordinary--saying good bye--became closer to the Divine, as we all asked for the Almighty's blessings for our children's safe and meaningful journey to Israel. In doing so, I felt a connection to the Jewish people, to Jewish life, and to something larger than ourselves.

It was what Jewish Day School is about. If what we do at Jewish Day Schools means anything, it is that we must see the spirit of God in everything that we do.

Today we did.