Every week, Shabbos offers the Yeshiva University High School for Girls (Central) community a moment to slow down, reconnect, and refocus. During this year’s Shabbos Week, students brought that spirit into the hallways with a lineup of fun, meaningful events.
Organized by the school’s F.I.R.E. (Friends Inspiring Religious Experiences) Ruach Fellows, guided by YUHSG’s Director of Religious & Israel Guidance and Judaic Studies faculty member, Mrs. Yael Axelrod, the event transformed the building into a celebration of Shabbos. “We wanted to highlight different aspects of Shabbos,” Mrs. Axelrod said. “Shabbos comes once a week, and it’s worth it to pause, take the time to think about it, and really focus on why it’s important. We had fun, and we learned a lot.”
To help students experience the full arc of Shabbos, each day was centered on a different theme: Erev Shabbos, Friday Night, Shabbos Afternoon, and Havdalah/Melaveh Malkah. Shabbos Week kicked off with an Erev Shabbos day, complete with a Hadlakas Neiros Workshop and Chaburah, where students explored the meaning behind candle lighting and had the opportunity to deepen their connection to the mitzvah. Tuesday brought high style with “Tichel Tuesday,” while midweek brought a new tradition: a cholent cook-off, where faculty members brought in their favorite cholent recipes for a student-led tasting and judging contest. And on Frummy Friday, students brought their most joyful Shabbos energy to school, culminating in a Shabbos Party complete with music, ruach, and community bonding.
The event was a testament to the enthusiasm and purpose of YUHSG’s F.I.R.E. Ruach Fellows – seniors Atara Feldman, Orly Fish, Ellie Gross, Evie Haar, Leora Kurlander, and Noa Shuval – who worked together to ensure that every event reflected the joy of Shabbos. “The F.I.R.E. Ruach Fellows have collaborated to organize everything, which made it exciting and enjoyable for our students,” Mrs. Axelrod said. The fellows also successfully spearheaded this year’s annual Challah Bake, demonstrating the vibrancy and heart the organization brings to YUHSG.
Another group of YUHSG students is also making its mark on the world: On Sunday, November 16, several juniors – including Camryn Brunner, Annabelle Klein, Ma’ayan Kotkin, and Emily Segall – presented an invention in progress at CIJE Tank. Hosted by the Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education, CIJE Tank is a national competition where high school students pitch professional-grade invention ideas to a panel of judges for the chance to win a provisional patent. The 12 teams selected for this year’s competition, including YUHSG, were chosen from more than 500 entries showcased at CIJE’s Innovation Day in May. Guided by YUHSG Engineering faculty member Mr. Michael Spindel, the students presented their project, “Watch Your Back!” – a wearable device designed to encourage healthy posture. YUHSG ultimately placed as finalists. “They started from a pool of 500 different projects at last year’s Innovation Day, and they made it all the way to being one of the finalists,” Mr. Spindel said. “It’s an incredible achievement.”