Let’s Extend This Significant Day Throughout the Year
“Education and Sharing Day is set aside each year to remind us that it is our duty as parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, community members and leaders to teach our children values and morals by which they can aspire to become contributing, caring, service-minded adults.
Sunday, April 2, 2023 was officially “Education and Sharing Day” as proclaimed by Governor Mike Dunleavy, President Joe Biden, and multiple Alaskan mayors as well as by governors and mayors in other states. We as the Alaska Legislature have recognized the day as well over the years.
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (b.1902 – d.1994) advocated throughout his life for the education of children both in academics and in the building of character through the teaching of ethical values and principles.
Because of Schneerson’s leadership, Congress in 1978 and every US President since have recognized Education and Sharing Day on the Rebbe’s birthday on the Jewish calendar (11 Nissan), which is four days before Passover typically falling on a date between March 21 and April 21, and this year that fell on Sunday, April 2.
Rabbi Mendy Greenberg of Alaska explained the Rebbe’s reasoning and why and how we should engage in character-building education.
“The Rebbe stresses very strongly the importance, and place of parents, in the education of their children. Not only to worry for their physical health and safety, but also for their spiritual, emotional and psychological well-being.
As parents, we are encouraged to have meaningful conversations with our children to impart to them a moral compass, and values that are strong and enduring no matter what financial or social status they will attain in life.
Values like kindness, like doing the right thing and not to back down because of social pressures, to make good choices and stand strong even if it seems hard at times, because there is an eye that sees an ear that hears, the creator of the universe, who watches over each one of us, and gives us strength and courage and is rooting for us to make the right decisions.”
I hope we not only will reflect on these words of Rabbi Mendy Greenberg, but we frequently will reach out to a child, to a youth in our sphere and have a conversation with them about values and principles by which we should guide our lives.
If we care about, love, and are concerned about our children and youth growing up in our world today, we will make the point to do this, not just on Education and Sharing Day, but throughout the year. It won’t cost a penny and won’t eat up enormous amounts of time, but it will be impactful, long lasting, and valuable.
Click the image above or the button below to view my floor speech from March 31st about Education and Sharing Day.
