Summer has arrived, the schools have closed and our children are on their well-earned vacation. For most children this brings rest and fun and con-tinuation to the next grade. But for some, it marks the conclusion of a significant chapter in their education. For them it is graduation time.

The efforts made in the past by the children, produced knowledge and created memories and turned into personal history. But the next page in life is a blank page and has to be written in awe for the yet uncertain future.

The people as a whole also follow the problems of an individual student with greatest interest. Numbers may present only dry statistics but they give a clue about, where is our next generation heading to? The general census expresses concern about the future of the Jewish children and hence about the people.

We wanted to give you proper information and made a thorough research with representatives of the educational centers for Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Judaism in the US. Totaling up all the numbers we received, we got a very pleasant surprise. The Jewish children and students who took part in organized Jewish education rose from 1980 till today by over 100 percent. They more than doubled.

These numbers refer to Day schools and Yeshivoth. The increase is almost equal with all denominations with the Orthodox having a small edge over the others. From the synagogue schools we could not receive exact numbers, but it seems that their increase is even larger. An additional positive factor is created by operation "Birthright," where ten thousands of our youngsters visit Israel and receive intensive and meaningful additional education.

So let us enjoy this positive and uplifting news. The situation of Jewish education in America is much better than we thought. So we wish all our children a pleasant vacation and to those who graduate in any stage of their education wishes for mazl and success.

We will pay also tribute to our children by not mentioning politics in this commentary. The contaminated world of fanaticism, hate and intolerance should not be even mentioned on the same page with our children who take such stride to achieve the worthy goals of life. The goal is to be an educated and good person, a good citizen and to follow the wisdom of our ancestors and the Tora.

Have a wonderful summer time and should all your good dreams come true.

I am Barry Cohen

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