The much anticipated Seventh and Eighth Grade Girls Shabbaton began at the beautiful Holiday Inn in Piscataway, New Jersey, on Friday afternoon. Students swam in the indoor pool and participated in exciting “Pre-Shabbos ruach,” to welcome in Shabbos with singing and dancing. The energy continued throughout the evening.
After a beautiful t’filah, students gathered for seudas Shabbos. During the meal, students received ‘Shabbat-O-Grams,’ short notes that they had written to each other earlier that day. When the meal was over, students gathered in a circle to sing and hear divrei Torah from Leora Traeger, Gabryela Davydov, Tammy Matatov, and Liat Pinkhasov. Students then watched Eighth Grade students put on a hilarious skit, to help usher in the Adar spirit to the student body.
Talmidos then had the opportunity to hear from the absolutely incredible Mrs. Jackie Biton, a world-renowned educator and inspirational speaker. She captivated the audience with a talk about “The Power of Our Actions!” After students heard from Mrs. Biton, and an energizing oneg Shabbos, it was the morot’s turn to put on their own hysterical skit.
Shabbos morning kicked off with t’filah that featured Rabbi Landsman’s insightful introductions to each aliyah and engaging parshah riddles from Rabbi Knapp. During kiddush, a group of students participated in a special initiative to complete the sefer T’hilim. After dividing up the 150 p’rakim, students completed the sefer as a z’chus for those in Eretz Yisrael and for cholim and cholos.
The girls then participated in an entertaining custom YCQ-themed game of Apples to Apples. After a delicious lunch that featured divrei Torah by Talya Shalamoff, Gabi From, and Moria Cohen, students had another opportunity to hear from Mrs. Biton.
More games were played with the Morot, including “Fe, Fi, Fo, Fum” and “Order in the Court,” which was followed by an exciting raffle that featured over 25 winners of some fantastic prizes. Faculty contributed individual prizes, including lunch with teachers. Minchah and a meaningful s’udah sh’lishis followed, and included divrei Torah from Mia Aranbiev, Binah Baturov, Elisheva Schutzman, and Elisheva Katz.
After Arvis and Havdalah, the ruach train was full steam ahead with a musical melaveh malkah that featured more singing and dancing. Sweatshirts were given out that will serve as a souvenir to remember all the amazing memories they created on the Shabbaton.
Special thank you to Morah Sarit Auerbach, Morah Rina Bienenfeld, Morah Alyssa Schussheim, Morah Mashie Kopelowitz, Mr. Jacob Grossman, Rabbi Landsman, Rabbi Knapp, Mrs. Cohen, and Mrs. Lowinger (and their families!) for all their hard work organizing and attending the Shabbaton. It is thanks to them, as well as Mrs. Fishman and the Business Office staff, for making the Shabbaton so successful and truly one of the highlights of the year.
