06/17/2026
Mazel tov to our OFJCC Leslie Family Preschool graduating class of 2026! 🥳 🎓
OFJCC President and CEO Zack Bodner had the privilege of addressing the Leslie Family Preschool Class of 2026 at their graduation "Masa" ceremony. Please enjoy Zack's speech below:
"Parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers, friends, and of course, our graduates, welcome to this
year’s Masa Ceremony!
Now, every year we try to find a theme that captures the spirit of this moment. Something deep.
Something meaningful. Something that speaks to the journey our children have taken and the
journey ahead.
And this year, after deep reflection, we arrived at our theme: The Tao of the Doodle.
Yes, the doodle. As in the dog. Not the thing you do with crayons on your parents’ walls.
I’m talking about Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Bernedoodles. At this point, you can pick any
animal and someone will try to create a doodle out of it. Can you imagine a rhino-doodle?
But there is wisdom in the doodle. Real wisdom. Because if you watch a doodle, like my own mini-goldendoodle Maddy, you’ll see they understand some of the deepest truths of life.
So as you graduate, I’m going to give you 7 lessons for life, based on the Tao of the Doodle:
Lesson number 1: Always be happy to see your people.
A doodle does not play it cool. A doodle does not say, “Oh, you’re home? Interesting.” No. A
doodle loses its mind. The tail starts wagging. The whole body starts moving. Pure joy every
time you walk in the door.
Imagine if we greeted each other like that. Maybe don’t jump on strangers and lick them. But try being filled with joy every time you see the people you love.
Lesson number 2: Live in the moment.
A doodle is always present. Not dwelling in the past. Not worrying about the future. But here
now.
A doodle doesn’t think, “Man, I didn’t love that dinner I got last night. I hope it’s not the same
thing again tonight.” No – they love the same dinner, every single day. Because they live in the
moment. You should, too.
Lesson number 3: Stay curious.
A doodle believes everything is worth investigating. A ball. A sock. A pile of the neighbor’s dog’s
p**p. The doodle approaches the world with wonder.
And yes, sometimes it is exhausting. But it is also special. Because curiosity is the beginning of
learning. It is the beginning of wisdom. It is the beginning of a life well-lived. So approach life
with curiosity.
Lesson number 4: Forgive quickly.
Dogs are incredible at this. You leave the house and they are devastated. You come back and all
is forgiven. They do not say “Actually, I’d like to revisit the emotional harm you caused me
when you left this morning.” They move on.
Life is too short to hold every little hurt forever. Of course, feelings matter. Saying sorry
matters. But once we repair, we move forward.
Lesson number 5: Don’t whine. Too much.
Now, let’s be honest. Dogs whine. Children whine. Adults whine too, we’re just more subtle
about it. We call it “processing” or “airing grievances”.
But dogs don’t whine forever. They feel the thing. Then they find a sunny patch on the floor and
move on. Even when they have a hurt leg, they will cry a little and then go find a bone to chew
on.
Life will bring pain. It will bring disappointment. It will bring moments when things don’t go
our way. The goal is to build resilience. To feel what we feel, learn what we can, and then keep
going.
Lesson number 6: Love with all your heart.
A doodle makes everyone in the house think they are the most loved. My kids argue over who Maddy loves more because she’ll come into each of their bedrooms in the morning, jump on their beds and wake them with a hundred licks to their faces. Maddy doesn’t care how bad their morning breath is. She loves them anyway.
Doodles give you their entire heart. That’s a wonderful lesson for all of us.
And lesson number 7: Know where home is.
A dog will run around, explore, sniff every tree, chase every squirrel. But at the end of the day,
they know where home is. They know where their people are. They pull you back towards
home at the end of a walk with all their strength.
That is what we hope this preschool has given you: a home. A place where you learned that
living Jewishly is joyful, where you learned that community is warm. That teachers are loving.
That friends matter. That you belong here. Remember, we are your home.
And that is what this Masa Ceremony is all about. “Masa” means journey. Today, you are not
finishing a journey. You are beginning one.
To our teachers: thank you. You have loved these children, guided them, and helped them grow.
You have done sacred work.
To our families: thank you for trusting us with your children. There is no greater trust.
And to our graduates: we are so proud of you. Keep wagging your tails. Keep being curious. Keep loving your people loudly. Keep finding joy in the world.
And always remember: wherever your journey takes you next, you will always have a home here at the OFJCC."
