Celebration of Lights

December 18, 2009

On Thursday evening, approximately 300 RDS students, parents, guardians, faculty, staff, and friends turned out for Prism's Celebration of Lights, an event inspired by the spirituality that crescendos in many religions at this time of year. These feelings and sentiments seem to linger in the air at school as families prepare for holiday traditions, reunions, and celebrations, all enveloped in the felt sense that life is bigger and more complex than the literalness of daily life.  Last night we felt that and much more.
 
The nature of this spirituality as expressed in the holidays acknowledged last night - Lantern Festival, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Bodhi Day, Iftar, Diwali, Winter Solstice - is candlessomewhat ineffable.  Yet, as a community, we put words to these thoughts and feelings through conversations at dinner tables, breaking bread together, and sharing stories that focused on the place of tradition in our families, which led some of us to remember diwalaidistant times, memories, relatives and emotions.  In the family spirit of this event the mood of the night was playful as children scurried about and enjoyed the freedom that comes with playing on the playground at night. I heard more than a few exclaim, with huge smiles on their faces, "I can't believe I'm still at school!"  Finally, shifting gears at the conclusion of the night, we gathered in a circle on the asphalt and acknowledged the "beyond words" feeling of this time through a simple candle lighting ceremony amidst the equally simple act of looking at and listening to one another - frequently with fresh eyes.
 
In some ways, this event paralleled the Community Boards currently on display in our Gallery: many of our assumptions were gently challenged in regard to one another as our real knowing of each other deepened.  And in the true RDS spirit, clear distinctions and individualities emerged amongst many more commonalities.
 
My hunch is that this event will be repeated for many years to come-actually, it's my hope.  Best of all, we will head into holiday vacation with last night as a precursor to the range of feelings we all have during these holidays
 
Before closing, a special honoring for Prism Co-Chairs Leah Hoskin, Shari Unitan, and Carolyn Phillips for their relentless work and inspired leadership in creating this wonderful RDS event. Equal kudos to the Parents' Association for sponsoring the event.  Thank you all.
 
Have a wonderful holiday break and see you in the New Year!
 
Mike