How often have you heard the haggadah quoted, or even mentioned, at a public university graduation? The answer for most of us is never. But that’s exactly what the audience at the recognition ceremony for the Department of Communications Studies at the University of Kansas heard on May 13 when Jacob Elberg represented the class of 2016 and spoke to his fellow students and their guests.
Elberg’s speech, which can be seen in its entirety on YouTube by searching Jacob Elberg, focused on overcoming obstacles and finding a way to move forward.
“It is a choice that I make every day,” said Elberg in his speech. He graduated with a Bachelor of General Studies degree, majoring in communication studies and minoring in journalism.
Elberg, who hails from Florida and lived in Wichita for a short while during which time he fell in love with KU, was not a particularly good student in high school. He seemed to be heading down the same road his freshman year in college, enjoying his music and “shenanigans” more than sticking with his studies. Something clicked after that first year and he made a commitment to himself to change.
“So I changed my study habits, stopped going out as much, showed up to my hard classes and did the work.”
As a result, his grades went up significantly and he figured out what he wanted to do in life. He intends to pursue a career in law and will begin classes at KU in August.
His commitment to change is exactly how Elberg earned the invitation to speak at commencement.
“The communications department asked me if I would like to speak. They chose me based on academic performance and student activity and participation within the department. I helped co-found and was vice president for the communication studies honor society, Lambda Pi Eta, and I was one of the top performers with my grades,” he said via email.
Not only did his grades flourish during his time at KU, so did his Judaism.
“Timing is everything. I committed to giving the speech just before Passover, so it was on my mind,” he explained. “Incorporating (my Judaism) into my speech was something I wanted to do from the start. Since coming to KU I have become more observant. I felt it was my duty, as a Jew, to speak about G-d and Judaism with pride.”
As he noted in his speech, while he was preparing for Passover it dawned on him that there “is much inspiration that can be learned from the Passover story.”
“I also felt that the story of Nachshon was extremely relevant to my fellow classmates. It’s a story that everyone, aside from one’s religious upbringing, could relate to.”
In particular, he said, “Jewish history, from an overall perspective, is built upon the decisions of bold individuals who have taken incredible leaps of faith in the service of G-d. One such momentous leap occurred when the Jewish people stood at the shore of the Red Seas, with the Egyptian armies in hot pursuit just behind them. The Jewish nation was literally stuck between a rock and a hard place, between a mighty army behind them and an even mightier sea before them. As they stood there frozen in fear not know what to do, a voice came forth from G-d that stated quite simply:
“ ‘Davar al beni Yisrael vayaso — tell the Jewish people to move on forward into the water.’ But no one moved …
“Everyone was simply frozen in fear, and no one had the courage or faith to move out into the water. Suddenly, out of nowhere, came a man named Nachshon without hesitating leapt into the raging sea. It was only as he did so that the waters parted and entire Jewish people were saved.
“The point is we all face obstacles. The question is: Will we let obstacles stop us? Will we, as young professionals, let obstacles stop us in the real world? Are we willing to put in the hard work to succeed? Or, will we be willing to listen to feedback, or perceived criticisms from outside sources that sometimes will be uncomfortable for us and then figure out a path on how to move forward?”
Once Elberg was chosen to give the speech, he did not need anyone’s approval on the content. The only requirement was it be under 12 minutes. It never even crossed his mind to be concerned about using religious references.
“KU is a friendly environment for all students. I have never felt uncomfortable regarding my Judaism,” said Elberg, who grew up attending a Conservative synagogue and living in a kosher home. If he had to define his Judaism today, said it is “somewhere in between Orthodox and Conservative.”
While an undergrad, he participated in activities through both KU Chabad and KU Hillel and said he enjoys personal and close relationships with both KU Chabad’s Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel and KU Hillel’s Rabbi/Senior Jewish Educator Neal Schuster.
“Rabbi Schuster and I have been meeting regularly since my freshman year. We both love music and often play guitar. At times he will ask me to play music for Hillel. I am a regular playing with him for Rock Chalk Shabbat. Rabbi Schuster and I also completed a directed study course this semester on Torah study.”
Rabbi Schuster noted he and Elberg have a special relationship, often getting together with their guitars to jam and talk about ideas, which could include everything from music to relationships to theology. He said it was no surprise to him that when Elberg was asked to speak at graduation, “his question wasn’t ‘how can I fit Torah into this,’ but rather, it was that all of his ideas we’re completely informed and shaped by his study of Torah.”
Over the years, “We spent a lot of time discussing ideas and talking about the Nexus between Torah, freedom of expression, and being a communications major. I really can’t say enough how much of a pleasure it’s been to get to know and develop a real closeness with Jacob and explore ideas together,” the Hillel rabbi continued.
Elberg met Rabbi Tiechtel when he was a freshman and the rabbi was hanging mezuzahs on the doorposts of the dorm rooms.
“I also completed the Sinai Scholars program and continued studying with him. For a while Rabbi Zalman and I would meet up for Triple T in the student union. Tuesday, Talmud and Tefillin.”
Rabbi Tiechtel has enjoyed having Elberg as part of the KU Chabad family.
“Jacob and I spent many hours together in Torah study, prayer and celebration over the past few years. Considering his incredible commitment to his personal growth and Jewish learning, it came as no surprise to me that he proudly shared words of Torah as part of his commencement speech,” Rabbi Tiechtel said.
Like the freshman who moved to Lawrence four years ago, he still loves his music and plays regularly at Bullwinkles bar in Lawrence. As a senior about to graduate, he challenged his fellow students to take a step forward after being knocked down.
“Will we put forth the effort needed to succeed when faced with extreme obstacles, and then persevere? Will we take that leap of faith and jump into the Red Sea? All of us have the tools to succeed. There will be seas to part in the future, but the choice is ours, and we will make that choice every day for the rest of our lives.”
