Every year teachers undergo the bittersweet experience of graduation. On the one hand, graduation marks a festive celebration of our students’ accomplishments. On the other hand, it marks a tearful farewell between teachers and their beloved graduating class. In my experience, no matter how many years teachers have under their belt, saying goodbye to students never gets easier.

Two weeks ago, eight students graduated from the Makor College Experience (MCE). The Makor College Experience is a partnership program of Makor Care and Service Network and Yeshiva University. Its founder, developmental psychologist Dr. Stephen Glicksman, known by MCE students as Doc, graduated from Yeshiva University in 1991 and created MCE nine years ago. This program offers young men with intellectual and developmental disabilities an opportunity to have a college experience on YU’s famous Wilf campus as they prepare for lives of independence.

Similar to YU undergraduates, Makor students learn daily morning seder from a rebbe; Makor students take secular and life skills-related classes in the afternoon; Makor students attend YU clubs, events, Macs basketball games and attend night seder in the beit midrash. Shlomo, Daniel, Ezriel, Jonah, Yitzy, Yudi, Josh and Moshe represent the Makor College Experience’s graduating class of 2025. Before saying farewell to the class of 2025, I would like to share some of my own fond memories of each graduate.

Shlomo grew up in Brooklyn. Over the last four years, Shlomo has shared many laughs with fellow students and faculty at MCE. Shlomo has also improved his already sharp knowledge of Jewish philosophy and held discussions with YU rebbeim on this topic. This past year, Shlomo and I shared meaningful dinner-time discussions. His generous laugh and compassionate ear will be missed by everyone at MCE next year.

Daniel also grew up in Brooklyn. Danny has developed stronger computer skills over his years at Makor and made life-long friends. In addition, Danny has also learned how to put on tefillin and embrace his Jewish Heritage. In the classroom, Danny loves to chime in during Torah discussions and has indicated a love for MCE’s night seder program. Danny’s passionate debating and cheerful energy will be missed next year.

Ezriel (Ez) also grew up in Brooklyn, and started MCE four years ago. Ez has become famous among classmates and teachers for his drawing and impressive artistic skills. A few summers ago, Ez created toy swords for a class reenactment of battle scenes between Romans and Jews during the Second Temple period. Ez has also offered many insightful comments and suggestions during secular and Torah classes. Ez’s creativity and intellectual curiosity will be missed next year.

Jonah grew up in Summit, New Jersey. Every morning at MCE Jonah attended the 8 a.m. Shacharit in YU’s Rubin Hall. After davening, Jonah loved schmoozing with YU students about their weekend plans and families. Over the last few years, Jonah has offered students, faculty, YU security guards, and everyone around him a smile and laugh, especially if one of his classmates is having a bad day. Jonah’s bright smile and contagious positivity will be missed next year.

Yitzy hails from Riverdale, New York. Over the years, Yitzy has shown intense passion and dedication for learning Torah. During my Torah lectures, Yitzy always sits in the front and listens attentively. He once told this author, “My father used to sit in the front of class in order to learn as much as possible; I want to be like him.” Yitzy’s Torah and excitement for learning will be missed.

Yudi grew up in Lakewood, New Jersey. On YU’s campus, Yudi can often be found learning in the beit midrash with one of his many YU chavrutas. Yudi can also be found at various YU or Stern club events. All times of the day Yudi loves to socialize with MCE and YU students and especially likes grabbing lunch with friends. His contagious smile and unlimited positivity will be missed on campus next year.

Moshe grew up in Far Rockaway, New York. Over the last few years, Moshe has flourished at making friends on Yeshiva University’s campus. Two weeks ago, Moshe’s friends from YU threw him a surprise birthday party for the ages. In the future, Moshe plans to work with animals and earn his driver’s license. Moshe’s sweet and easy-going demeanor will be missed next year.

Josh comes from Brooklyn and commuted to the program every day from his home. He loves driving people around in his ride-share business (he calls it “Jewber”) and has been an integral part of the goings-on at Makor over his years as a student, including doing the shopping runs for when we cook together in the Makor apartments near YU. He, too, will be missed.

In addition, The Makor College experience also says farewell to their beloved morning seder rebbe, Rabbi Moshe Kaplan. Over the last few years, Rabbi Kaplan has taught students Gemara, Mishnah, Tanach, Parsha, and hundreds of life lessons. But more importantly, Rabbi Kaplan treated each student with dignity and respect. Regardless of their clinical diagnosis or level of religious observance, Rabbi Kaplan offered all students a chance to join class-time discussions. Rabbi Kaplan also broke down complicated Torah ideas and topics and made them accessible for all students to digest. I have observed Rabbi Kaplan teach and can tell you, he’s a role model for teachers and fellow human beings alike. We wish him the best of luck in Seattle and hope he remembers us.

To our graduates’ parents, we thank you for trusting us with your sons. Raising a child with intellectual or developmental disabilities takes immense patience and dedication. The same way people in our society stand up and clap for athletes, we should stand up and clap for parents of individuals with disabilities. Your sons came in as boys and have left MCE as men. Chazak Chazak V’nitchazek.

To our graduates, I hope you continue to develop strong relationships with friends and family. I hope you make the world a better place. I hope you make Hashem proud. In the words of our program’s longtime friend Rabbi Dani Rapp, “Go for your dreams, because even if you fail, you will change yourself in the process.”

For now, goodbye and farewell Sincerely, Your teacher, Yosef Silfen.