The Maggid of Mezritch was a prominent student of the Baal Shem Tov. When he was a young boy, a fire destroyed his family's home.  Everyone was rescued, but their belongings were destroyed. The young Maggid's mother cried inconsolably as the house burned to the ground.  Her son asked her why she was so sad; after all, everyone was saved. She replied that she wasn't crying for the loss of her material belongings but for the loss of the record of the family pedigree which had been destroyed in the flames. This record traced their familial roots all the way back to King David himself. Rabbi Riskin, in an essay on Parshat Bamidbar, explains that the young Maggid responded to his mother, "Don't cry over that. I will begin a new record for our family pedigree; from me will begin a new yichus. Subsequent generations will trace their lineage back to me."   

Although our students all come from great backgrounds and families that they can be proud of, I think that we as parents can also be proud of the "yichus" that our children are creating for us. The learning, religious, academic, and personal growth that our students have undergone over the course of the year should make us all proud. Our families should take pride not only in the yichus that reaches backward but also in the yichus that extends forward. 

Thank you to all of our staff members, students, and parents who have created the nurturing and challenging environment that has fostered this yichus.

On a personal note, I want to thank all the WYHS students, parents, staff, and supporters for welcoming me so warmly into the school community. It has been a wonderful first year for me and my family. I look forward to many more years of creating yichus together.

Have a wonderful summer.