The YCQ Seventh and Eighth Grade Boys Shabbaton was a spectacular success, featuring unparalleled levels of ruach, inspiration, and camaraderie.
On Friday, students arrived at the gorgeous Quibbletown Park in Piscataway, New Jersey, for an afternoon of sports with their friends and rebbeim. They then journeyed to the nearby Holiday Inn, their destination for Shabbos, for a swim in the beautiful indoor pool. After getting ready for Shabbos, they participated in exciting “Pre-Shabbos Ruach” with singing and dancing. The energy continued throughout t’filah with a musical Kabbalas Shabbos.
During the Friday Night seudah, divrei Torah were given by Chaim Peled and Yosef Haim. After the seudah, students broke into small learning groups with their rebbeim. The ruach level stayed strong throughout the night with a “Schnitzel Extreme” show hosted by the Schnitzel Guys. The night wrapped up with some structured down-time for students to spend quality time with one another.
Shabbos morning kicked off with t’filah and a kiddush, followed by an engaging and entertaining trivia game, featuring questions about Torah and sports written by Rabbi Bernstein. A delicious lunch followed, which featured divrei Torah from Eli Samet and Mikey Fried.
An unbelievably inspiring talk by Yitzy Haber of the Schnitzel Guys came next, which blew away the students and faculty. Yitzy was unfortunately diagnosed with cancer as a child, which resulted in the amputation of his leg. Nevertheless, he remains one of the happiest, energetic (and physically active!) people you will ever meet. Yitzy’s story is absolutely remarkable and made a lasting impression on everyone.
Minchah and a meaningful seudah sh’lishis, which included divrei Torah from Dovid Kopstick, Josh Gadol, and Eitan Berkowitz, wrapped up Shabbos, but the Shabbaton was far from over. After Havdalah, the ruach train was full steam ahead, with a musical melaveh malkah featuring more singing and dancing.
A tremendous amount of hakaras ha’tov must be directed towards Mr. Jacob Grossman, the Director of JHS Student Life and Activities, for organizing the best Shabbaton to date. Thank you to the alumni advisors, Rabbi Landsman, Rabbi Knapp, Rabbi Nat, Rabbi Greenberg, Rabbi Howitt, Rabbi Kravetz, Rabbi Steinberg, and Rabbi Bernstein (and their families!) for their efforts and for enhancing the weekend with their presence. It is thanks to them, as well as Mrs. Fishman and the Business Office staff, that our Shabbaton was so successful and truly one of the highlights of the year.
