Rabbi Daniel Siegel – Head of Jewish Life

Being a Blessing

I  take this opportunity to share with you an adapted version of my words at our High School Assembly farewelling our Principal, Anne Hastings.

In Judaism, the greatest blessing that you can bestow upon someone is that They Be a Blessing.

The first Jew, Avraham, was blessed by God with two words היה ברכה- Be a Blessing.

For Jews, you are blessed in blessing others.

As many of us know, Anne loves to travel. In particular she loves to frequent Nepal. And, in Nepal, it is the Himalayas that she loves to explore and trek.

If you have been in Nepal, especially in the Himalayas, you will see prayer flags all about you.

If I can ask our four head madrichim to please come to centre stage and hold these flags up for all to see.

In Judaism, there is a relatively new tradition of blessing flags.

These blessing flags were made by women artisans in Mahaguthi, Nepal. And, for all of us here, today, they represent the blessings that Anne has brought to us personally and to our Emanuel school community.

אהבה- The Blessing of Love (Ahavah)

רחמים- The Blessing of Compassion (Rachamim)

חסד- The Blessing of Lovingkindness (Chesed)

שלום- The Blessing of Peace and Wholeness (Shalom)

רפואה- The Blessing of Healing (Refu’ah)

כבוד- The Blessing of Respect (Kavod)

צדק- The Blessing of Justice and Equity (Tsedek)

This is the banner that was displayed in the dedication of our new building. We now present it to Anne who has built our school and our community through her blessings.

If she has already been blessed in blessing us, what blessing can we add? There is one blessing that it is fitting we share with Anne today.

ברוך את בבואך  ברוך את בצאתך – May you be blessed in your coming in and in your going out.

Anne, you have been blessed in coming in to our school by bringing blessings upon us. Now as you go out, and depart from us may you be blessed with the time and opportunity of amply experiencing the blessings of life with your family, with your husband John and most deservedly for yourself.

We wish you the best Anne, we thank you and may you always enjoy being a blessing.