The centerpiece of the Yamim Noraim tefillos is the moving U’nesaneh Tokef prayer, added to the Musaf Amidah on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. This tefilla describes Hashem sitting in judgment over all creation. At its most dramatic moment, the words are recited: “Repentance, prayer, and charity can sweeten even the harshest decree.”
These words remind the Jewish people that growth and change are always possible. Teshuvah, tefilah, and tzedakah are not always easy to achieve, but they are powerful ways to improve both personal lives and the world around us. To bring these ideas to life, Yeshiva Har Torah devoted three special days during Aseres Yemei Teshuva to explore each concept in depth.
On Yom Teshuva, students participated in sessions that explained what repentance really means and how it can be practiced throughout the year. On Yom Tefilla, students submitted thoughtful questions about prayer, focusing on how to connect as individuals and as a community. Their questions were answered by rebbeim and moros, along with guest speaker Rebbetzin Batya Basalely of Great Neck, who shared powerful insights and inspiration about building a meaningful relationship with tefilla.
On Yom Tzedakah, students were given a powerful new perspective on what true giving can mean. Instead of simply learning about dropping coins into a pushkah, they witnessed examples of tzedakah at its highest and most life-changing level. Members of the YHT community who had donated kidneys—along with a recipient whose life was saved—shared their remarkable stories, brought to the school with the help of the organization Renewal.
The donors described the courage it took to make such a decision, the emotions they felt throughout the process, and the deep sense of purpose that came from giving another person the chance to live. The recipient spoke openly about the struggles he faced before the transplant and how receiving a kidney gave him a second chance at life.
For the students, this was more than a lesson—it was an unforgettable experience. They saw firsthand that tzedakah is not only about money, but about selflessness, sacrifice, and the power to change someone’s world forever. Many walked away deeply moved, inspired by the realization that acts of kindness, both big and small, can transform lives.
Over these three meaningful days, students didn’t just learn about teshuvah, tefilah, and tzedakah—they experienced them. The program brought the words of the U’nesaneh Tokef to life, leaving students inspired to carry these values with them throughout the year.