Mazal Tov, Emory Class of 2011!

Congratulations to all of today's Emory graduates!

On Saturday, Hillel at Emory hosted a reception at the Marcus Hillel Center to say "l'hitraot" to all the graduating seniors and their families. It's not "goodbye" but rather "until we meet again." The students and families - nearly 70 people in all - heard from Hillel director Michael Rabkin as well as Daniel Reiser, Hillel's Senior Program Director, who offered a beautiful d'var Torah on how the Jewish holiday cycle helps us recognize - and honor - transitions. (Listen to it here on Daniel's blog.) Also in attendance were Robin Forman, the Dean of Emory College, and Deborah Lipstadt, Dorot Professor of Modern Jewish History and Holocaust Studies at Emory.

Today's commencement ceremony featured benedictions by those who were active in Emory's religious life. David Micley, who has been an active Jewish leader at Emory in developing Hillel's Chevruta program and the Children of Abraham initiative, delivered the Jewish prayer. President James Wagner commended students for bringing back to Emory the tradition of the yearbook, a project spearheaded by long-time Hillel student leader Kenny Liebowitz.

While many graduates are leaving Atlanta to pursue their careers, we are thrilled that many are staying in town. As they leave the Emory "bubble," the Atlanta Jewish community is welcoming them with open arms - from the local synagogues to the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and other Jewish organizations. Hillel will always be a home for alumni, and we encourage alumni to stay in touch.

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Photos from the graduation reception after the break.