During the holidays I like to take something with me into the facilities so we can celebrate as well as reminisce about this particular season. On Hanukkah I take an electric menorah and wooden dreidels. We discuss the best recipes for potato latkes and gifts of chocolate gelt rather than electronics. At Purim I pass out groggers and hamentashen. You should see the smiles!

My favorite festival is Sukkot. Who doesn’t like to offer thanksgiving to God as we recall the mitzvah of waving a lulav and etrog which I handily present. The lulav and etrog are ideal pedagogical opportunities. It is with this in mind that I walked into a room of individuals for a program on Sukkot. I began by holding up a gorgeous etrog and ask what it is. Of course, the answer I receive is a “lemon.” After gently correcting an eager participant, I pass it around the room for smelling and touching. For the residents, the chance to touch and smell is a tactile extravaganza. Next I point out the palm and ask if anyone knows what it is. As I proceed, I explain the Midrashic explanations of each species.

Imagine my surprise when after the myrtle, I pointed to the willow branch and asked if anyone knew what it was. The room was quiet until I heard a voice say, “cannabis?” And then it was my turn to be quiet. After explaining what it really was I realized I had learned a lesson that afternoon. I was shocked that a senior man said “cannibis.” But why was I stunned? Was that not ageism to assume a man old enough to be called grandpa didn’t have a life prior to this facility? Of course he did. We tend to assume once someone reaches a certain age, he or she never really had a life prior.

Tradition teaches that we learn a great deal from our students. I know I did.