Dear Parents,

I know that you are all eagerly awaiting an update regarding our Next Stage Planning for the summer, September, and beyond. That will come soon. But for now, I would like to share a few words of blessing with you, connected to the many names of the Shavuot holiday which starts tonight.

Shavuot: “The Feast of Weeks,” on account of the seven weeks of the Omer that we count, from Pesach until Shavuot. It reminds us that there is meaning in every day, even when the days follow a different rhythm than usual. It calls to mind “Shabbat vayinafash,” that Shabbat offers a true rest for the soul, a refuge of time which we all need, and especially in times like now. May we all find it this Shavuot and Shabbat.

Chag HaKatzir: “The Holiday of the Harvest,” when the wheat harvest in Israel occurs. But it is also a harvest time at school, as we see the effects of our students’ learning since September. Now is an opportunity to recognize all of their accomplishments this year. May our children continue to reap many more bountiful harvests of accomplishments in the future.

Chag HaBikurim: “The Holiday of First Fruits,” which were brought in the time of the Beit HaMikdash as an offering to Hashem in gratitude for the bounty that we had that year. And it is still an opportunity for expressing gratitude. We are grateful to our students, to our parents and teachers, and to all of our AHS community for the innumerable ways in which we have come together over the past months, demonstrating strength, resilience, positivity, and generosity in supporting ourselves, one another, and our community. May we continue to be blessed with sweet fruits, and with many reasons to be grateful.

Atzeret: meaning “to stop,” because this holiday has no special mitzvot attached to it other than to stop. This name reminds us of the importance of stepping back once in a while, of taking a break from our incredibly busy schedules, and taking the time to stop and be grateful for all of the abundance that Hashem has given us. May we all have the opportunity for mindfulness and reflection that comes from taking that break.

Chag Matan Torah: “The Holiday of the Giving of the Torah.” The encounter at Sinai, the Giving of the Torah, was a very special moment – but while this holiday marks the date of the giving of the Torah, receiving the Torah cannot be tied to a single day. Rather, receiving the Torah is a deeply personal, ongoing process. May we all continue to learn, love, and receive Torah every day of our lives.

We look forward to the time that we can once again gather together in person, as we did at Sinai, and we hope that by the time of our next holiday, we will all be able to celebrate together. Until then, we appreciate everyone’s patience, understanding, and consideration.

Wishing you all a Chag Shavuot Sameach and a Shabbat Shalom,