This afternoon, we were to attend Rachel’s university graduation ceremony. When she completed her final presentation back in April, earning her a well-deserved degree in interior design, this very proud mama couldn’t contain her excitement and immediately chose to share her amazing achievement with a blog.
In case you missed it: https://wheredidmommyssmilego.com/2025/04/17/oh-the-places-youll-go/
Around the same time, Rachel let us know the date of her graduation ceremony, which I quickly marked off on my calendar. I couldn’t wait to see my baby all dressed in her cap and gown, walking across the stage to collect her diploma. A moment in time that was sadly stolen from us back in 2020 when her high-school graduation was canceled due to Covid.
Graduations are meant to be a celebration of hard work and accomplishments, so when Rachel told us a few weeks ago that she was not planning to attend her ceremony, it crushed me. Only in recent days did she share with us her actual truth as to why she made the decision not to go. I understood and admired her strength for standing by her values. Admittedly, though, I was still crushed, but by now, it was on a much deeper level.
Since October 7, 2023, antisemitism has dramatically surged around the world, with several university campuses in Toronto playing a key role in it. One of them being the university she attended.
During the last year or so, Rachel had expressed her feelings to us about being uncomfortable when on campus, sometimes concerned for her safety and needing to hide her religious expression. It is a cruel reality that speaks to so many of us.
Regardless of whether or not Rachel chose to walk across that stage today to receive her diploma, they can never take away what is rightfully hers. Every project completed, every challenge she pushed through, including spending her first 2 years online, no one can take that away. She earned it.
Your feelings are your own, and you have every right to feel them, especially if something doesn’t sit well in your heart. As your mom, I am truly proud of your courage and resilience and for recognizing that, in good conscience, you could not stand quietly in a place where antisemitism is tolerated or how you felt you could not be celebrated “in a space that made you feel erased”. You were blessed, though, to have had the support and mentorship of a fellow Jew as one of your professors. Someone who shared in the hurt helped at times to ease the hurt.
No matter the situation, I am crushed that this moment was taken away from you (and me too!)…again, but I admire you for always standing your ground. I am also grieving for you today for what else has been taken away for a second time as well. First it was a once in a lifetime high school graduation trip that got canceled last minute due to Covid and now, an upcoming trip to Israel next month where you and a friend were to spend time volunteering. But I can promise you one thing. You will get back to Israel again, and when you do, She will be there, waiting for you, stronger than ever.
#graduationday #antisemitism #Israel #resilience #values #mentalhealth #strongerthanever #university #interiordesign #proudmama #youmatter
YouAreEnough 