By: Natalie Gordon
On Friday, October 23rd, de Toledo High School had the opportunity to welcome Rabbi Marc Angel, one of the great leaders and scholars of Sephardic Jewry worldwide.
Our new name has inspired our school to explore the theme of The Golden Age of Spain this year. The Golden Age, which occurred between the 8th and 11th century, was a time of creativity and diversity within the Jewish population as well as the introduction of Jewish ideas to Europe, and throughout the world. Therefore, it was only fitting for the annual Arieh Diamond z”l Memorial Lecture Series that we had a Sephardic Rabbi come and speak to us. We were inspired to hear him talk about “positive human flourishing as human beings, as Jews, as world citizens,” stated Rabbi Lev.
This incredible opportunity would not have been possible without the Diamond Family. Arieh Diamond, a graduate of New Community Jewish High School in 2007, tragically lost his life during his freshman year of college. In his honor and memory, the Diamond family generously donated the funds given in his memory in order to provide de Toledo students with a deeper connection to Judaism and to Israel.
Rabbi Marc Angel founded and is currently the director of the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals. This institution fosters Judaism and all of it forms, including Orthodox Judaism. He is a Rabbi of “Congregation Shearith Israel” and is also the rabbi at the “Portuguese Synagogue of New York City.” On top of that, he is the author and editor of 27 books.
Rabbi Angel deeply inspired students and faculty alike with his wisdom and lessons; “Ultimately,” he said, “each person, each one of us, is really two different people. With the person that we are, we are also the person whom we can become. There is us on earth, but each of us has an image of ourselves.”
With inspiring messages such as this, we all walked away from this Tefilah having gained a more extensive understanding of Judaism and of our school’s history. A special thanks to the Diamond family for providing our school with this incredible opportunity.