While this winter season brought plenty of snow to the New York area, it also brought an extraordinary season of programming for Yachad participants across the community. From Shabbatons, Shabbayoms, and holiday celebrations, to weekly social and educational programs, this winter has been one of Yachad’s most active and successful seasons yet.
Throughout the season, Yachad participants enjoyed a wide range of evening, weekend, and special programs designed to foster friendships, build confidence, and strengthen connections within the broader Jewish community. Several new initiatives were also introduced, expanding opportunities for participants to engage, learn, and grow.
One of the highlights of the season was the Yachad Fall Leadership Shabbaton, held at the Armon Stamford Hotel in Stamford, Connecticut. Students from many New York-area schools joined Yachad participants for an unforgettable Shabbos experience filled with ruach, laughter, and meaningful connection. The weekend featured inspirational lectures, engaging support group panels, Torah shiurim, fun activities, and unique opportunities for participants and students to bond. The Shabbos concluded with a beautiful Havdalah ceremony and evening, where harmonious singing and dancing created a magical atmosphere of reflection and togetherness.
Yachad Shabbatons were also hosted within our local shuls, offering community members the opportunity to spend meaningful shul time with participants. These Shabbos experiences allowed congregants to hear participants share divrei Torah, receive aliyos, and join together for communal shalosh seudos meals. This past Shabbos, the Young Israel of Woodmere hosted a Yachad Shabbaton where participants, advisors, along with a few families, enjoyed a beautiful Shabbos filled with singing, lively circle time, Torah, speeches from the shul rabbanim, games, onegs, and a true experience of friendship and connection.
Beyond Shabbos programming, the winter season included an array of engaging weekly and special programs. Participants celebrated Chanukah and Purim with festive chagigos alongside local schools, a fun and engaging Super Bowl party, which included a live performance by the Breakdancing Bros during halftime, while also enjoying regular activities such as bowling nights, comedy night, parent-child learning, Mishmar, Pizza and Parshah gatherings, Healthy Habits workshops, as well as cooking and art programs.
Adult participants also enjoyed a memorable overnight trip that began with a beautiful melaveh malkah. The following day featured snow tubing at Camp Gaw, roasting marshmallows, and concluded with a scavenger hunt and dinner at the American Dream Mall, creating fun and lasting memories.
This season’s success was made possible through sponsorships and the support and partnership of many synagogues, schools, organizations, and host families who opened their doors and welcomed Yachad participants into their communities. Special thanks go to the Young Israel of West Hempstead, Young Israel of Long Beach, Riverdale Jewish Center, Young Israel of New Rochelle, Young Israel of Woodmere, Hebrew Institute of White Plains, the Esplanade of Woodmere, SAR, WTA, Westchester Hebrew High School, Ramaz, MDS, YU, Yeshivah of Flatbush, Magen David Yeshivah, Rambam Mesivta, HAFTR, HALB, DRS, SKA, HANC, YHT, NSHA, RCC Hillel, and NYU.
