A Salute to Tomorrow's Leaders

On Wed. May 17 Chabad held an elegant wine and cheese reception for the graduating class of 2006. The theme of the evening was "today's graduates are tomorrow's leaders." Dr. Roger Summers, VP for Student Affairs at BU offered his best wishes to the graduates on behalf of himself and the university administration. Linda Salamons, local Jewish community leader and activist spoke from her personal experience about the importance of getting involved in the Jewish community and taking a leadership role. The seniors especially enjoyed a slide presentation of pictures taken of them at Chabad events spanning their college career.

The program culminated with a presentation by the Senior class of their gift to the Chabad House, and Rabbi Aaron and Rivky Slonim presenting gifts from Chabad to each graduate which included the signature Chabad Shabbat song book, a cookbook of favorite Chabad recipes, a copy of the class picture and slide show and many other mementos of good times spent together.

For the first time Chabad House awarded two graduating seniors a special distinction: Justin Myrowitz was honored with the Miriam Gurary Chesed Award for his outstanding involvement in Chabad's Mitzvah corps. Justin visited Jewish patients in local hospitals every Friday for three years. Jeremy Wright was honored with the Emor M'at V'aseh Harbeh ( say little and do much) award which he earned for his consistent and devoted assistance performed quietly and out of the lime light. Specifically, Jeremy always took a lead role in setting up and cleaning up at Shabbat dinners at Chabad.

"It is very hard to watch our graduates leave; we are family. Nevertheless, we say good bye and L'hitraot smiling through our tears and with great pride. We know that we can expect great things from them;our graduates over the last two decades have a proven track record of distinction and leadership in business, civics and of course, the Jewish community. Said Rivkah Slonim. "We look forward to sharing many Simchas and good tidings with the class of 2006 far into the future. We know they will take their college experience and build on it to make a difference wherever they find themselves."