Jewish Chicagoans serve up advice for the graduates…Mazel tov!

Rabbi Michael Siegel, Chicago: Live with a sense of urgency, an awareness that we have but limited time to do great things. Wisdom comes when we apply the knowledge that we have gained to real world experiences today. Teach us the number of our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (90:12).

Ellen Hattenbach, Deerfield: In college, do not focus on what your major will be but rather who you want to become. And join Hillel or an on-campus Jewish organization to remain informed, active, belonging, and true to your being.

Adam Miller, Chicago: Network, network, network. Whether you have a job or not, things can change very quickly. Before your life gets busy, search for 2-3 networking events per month and take some of your contacts out for coffee.

Annice Moses, Glencoe: Before you even own a goldfish, travel. The world is a big place and before you decide what you want to do and be in it, you gotta see it.

Aaron B. Cohen, Evanston: It’s not the diploma, it’s the knowledge that counts. A framed piece of paper with fancy script is a nice addition to any office or den, and receiving a document like that helps make graduation day joyful. But what’s between the ears (and I’m not talking about the smile) counts more than anything. If you graduate without gaining knowledge, wisdom, and experience, then it’s just worth a piece of paper. The job of a student is to make it worth much more!

Dana Westreich Hirt, Chicago: Take a gap year! Life is not a race. An overwhelming percentage of colleges and universities will allow you to defer your acceptance for a year. Use the time to grow as a person; take a break after the rigorous grind of high school; give back through volunteerism and service learning; explore your areas of interest unconstrained by the rigidity of high school curricula; become a citizen of the world through travel, language study, and cultural immersion; earn some money and contribute to your college fund; learn a skill; gain some independence; challenge yourself, think outside of the box, and learn from your successes and failures as you navigate a year of exploration, growth, and self-discovery.

Josh Beiler, Chicago: Be bold, be brave, and seek out areas of inspiration in your career decisions. The money will follow. If you seek money first, passion and innate motivation will be much more difficult to find. Success is most often achieved and maximized when passion is inextricably linked to the arduous tasks inevitably involved.

Rabbi Scott Aaron, Chicago: Remember to pack some meaningful Jewish memories along with everything else you pack for college. A kippah from camp, a mezuzah for your dorm room, a menorah from home for Chanukah, a Jewish star necklace from Mom, whatever will make you feel closer to your family and friends back home when you can’t get there and have to spend Jewish holidays on campus. You may not think you will want them now, but they will be there when you do just like your family.

Linda S. Haase, Skokie: When you’re looking for a job, think beyond salary and job description, because whether you like your job will depend a lot on who you work for and with. When you interview for a position, consider whether the staff and supervisors you meet seem like people you’ll like and respect, because this can make all the difference in your job satisfaction. Pictured: Linda, receiving her master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism in 1983.

Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann, Chicago: “Yehi or!” Let there be light! Your job is to get ignited, to be on fire- for justice, for music, for learning, for whatever your passion is, for leaving the world a little more illuminated than you found it. These were God’s first words… and man, did they leave a legacy of creativity. Your light will, too.