June 20, 2025|כ"ד סיון ה' אלפים תשפ"ה Pride in our Yeshiva Day Schools By Rabbi Jonathan Muskat

As graduation season is upon us, it is a time for reflection and celebration. Many of our community's children are graduating from yeshiva day schools, some from public schools, and others from Jewish and secular colleges. While each of these milestones is significant (and I understand that families must make choices best suited to the needs of their individual children), I want to take this opportunity to highlight the remarkable impact of yeshiva day school education.

In conversations about Jewish education, I often hear comments about what could be improved. Suggestions range from emphasizing Ivrit b'Ivrit to Tanach skills, from Machshavah (Jewish thought) to more comprehensive learning strategies. These are valid critiques, and as a community, we should always strive to improve. However, amidst these discussions, it is essential to recognize what yeshiva day schools do exceedingly well.

On May 15, in his "State of World Jewry" address at the 92nd Street Y, Dan Senor emphasized the transformative power of Jewish day schools in fostering identity and community. He highlighted how day school alumni are significantly more likely to feel deeply connected to their Jewish heritage and to Israel. These institutions instill pride and confidence in Jewish identity, making Judaism not merely an academic subject but a lived experience.

Senor noted that day schools are environments where practicing Judaism is celebrated. Students leave with what he described as "Jewish muscle memory," an ingrained connection to their faith that shapes their worldview. He also discussed the resilience of these institutions, particularly their ability to adapt to modern challenges, such as implementing phone-free policies to enhance focus and engagement.

Even in moments of crisis, like those following the tragic events of October 7, day schools stood firm, helping students connect deeply with their Jewish brothers and sisters in Israel. Senor pointed to a hopeful resurgence in Jewish education, with new schools opening and philanthropic efforts making Jewish education more accessible. He described these schools as integral to building a vibrant Jewish future, resilient against rising antisemitism and external pressures.

As members of the Orthodox community, we understand this deeply. For many of us, yeshiva day schools are not just about content, though content matters. They create a "thickness" in our religious lives, a robust and meaningful structure that integrates Torah into daily living. This integration fosters a richness of mitzvot and practices, an interconnectedness of beliefs, and a strong collective identity.

We see this in our children. They are not only taught Torah but are shaped by it. Yeshiva day schools embody the blessings of Birkat HaTorah, particularly the blessing of “la’asok b’divrei Torah.” This bracha does not merely command us to study Torah but to engage with it so thoroughly that it becomes a latent awareness throughout every moment of the day.

Rav Soloveitchik beautifully explains this concept. He likens Torah awareness to a mother's connection with her child. While a mother may be engaged in other tasks, there is a natural, unshakable awareness of her child’s existence, a bond expressed in commitment, devotion, and identity. Similarly, even when we are preoccupied with other aspects of life, the latent awareness of Torah remains.

This is challenge number one for our children: to cultivate a constant awareness of Torah values, even when not actively studying.

Challenge number two is encapsulated in “v’ha’arev na,” that the words of Torah should feel sweet in our mouths. We want our children to enjoy Torah study, to find it meaningful and engaging, to see it as a source of inspiration rather than an obligation.

Challenge number three is rooted in “asher bachar banu mikol ha’amim v’natan lanu et Torato,” that our children truly appreciate the gift of Torah, recognizing it as a divine treasure given specifically to them.

Together, these challenges form the core of what we strive to instill in our children: a constant latent awareness of Torah, a genuine enjoyment of its study, and a deep-seated gratitude for its gift.

Despite the areas we aim to improve, let us take pride in what yeshiva day schools accomplish. They nurture a love for Torah, a connection to Jewish values, and a profound sense of identity that will sustain our children throughout their lives.

To all the graduates and their families, mazal tov! You are living testaments to the power of Jewish education and the potential of our community. Let us continue to support and celebrate the institutions that shape the future of our people.