HANC High School And Middle School Unite For A Meaningful Yom Achdut At The Reinstein Family Campus

In preparation for the Yamim Nora’im, HANC High School students visited the Reinstein Family Campus in West Hempstead for a special Yom Achdus with HANC eighth-grade students and members of the high school faculty.

The morning began with a heartfelt joint S’lichos and t’filah in the beautiful Rabbi Moshe Gottesman Beis Midrash, creating a spiritually uplifting atmosphere. Following davening, Rabbi Elliot Hecht ’90, Middle School Principal, warmly welcomed the high school students and faculty. The group then enjoyed a light breakfast of doughnuts and chocolate milk.

The program continued with an inspiring Shiur Klali by Rabbi Eli Slomnicki ’97, Menahel of HANC High School, entitled, “Why Settle for Good When You Can Have Sweet?” His shiur explored the deeper meanings behind the simanim of Rosh HaShanah and set the tone for the morning’s learning.

Students then broke into smaller groups, led by current high schoolers. Each group of boys and each group of girls spent time delving into various commentaries on the simanim, fostering interactive chavrusa learning. Rabbi Slomnicki later brought everyone back together to summarize the key ideas, encourage further discussion, and offer a meaningful Yom Tov message.

Following the learning sessions, the eighth-grade girls joined the high school girls for a hands-on activity, creating beautifully designed simanim platters under the guidance of Mrs. Miriam Steiner, Director of Counseling and Mechaneches for Grade 9 Girls.

The eighth-grade boys remained in the Beis Midrash with Rabbi Slomnicki and their rebbeim, where they reminisced about the transformation of the high school building, which they once called their middle school. Rabbi Slomnicki then led a lively and thoughtful game focused on self-reflection and peer appreciation.

The program concluded with warm exchanges of hatzlachah and “Shanah Tovah” between the eighth graders and high school students. The spirit of unity and mutual respect was palpable, making it a truly memorable and meaningful experience for all who participated.