Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan was celebrated in Shevach High School with a morning that included T’hilim, inspiration, and introspection coupled with a delicious breakfast for all the students.
The Shevach Menaheles, Mrs. Shulamith Insel, opened with meaningful words relating to the crisis in Eretz Yisrael at this time. She mentioned that Cheshvan is often called MarCheshvan, and if one reads the letters differently, it reads merachashin, which means moving, or quivering. As we enter the month of Cheshvan, our lips seem to still be moving. We are still feeling that special closeness to Hashem, an aftereffect of our many heartfelt t’filos during the Yamim Nora’im. As such, we are tuned in to the power of our t’filos, and our davening seems to come forth more freely. Mrs. Insel emphasized how worthwhile it is for us to tap into this incredible koach ha’t’filah, as we are mispallel for our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael. She then led the students in the reciting of T’hilim together.
Guest speaker Rabbi Moshe Sokoloff spoke to the students about the significance of Rosh Chodesh to women in particular. Rabbi Sokoloff is the Rav of Agudath Israel of KGH, and his daughter Adina is presently a student at Shevach High School. Rosh Chodesh was given as a holiday, a break from work for women, because they refused to give their gold jewelry to create the Eigel HaZahav. Therefore, women have a special relationship to Rosh Chodesh.
In addition, Rosh Chodesh is a day of forgiveness every month. Cheshvan is the first month after Tishrei. It gives us a chance to reset our actions and conquer new vistas. It is an opportunity to start again with optimism and enthusiasm. We can realize our endless potential, starting right now.
Rabbi Sokoloff’s words made a deep impression on the students who gained a deeper understanding of this special Yom Tov for women. This event was coordinated by Shevach’s Educational Administrator, Mrs. Devorah Kovitz, in conjunction with the Rosh Chodesh/Ruach Committee consisting of Chana Tova Kasirer, Meira Kramer, Yocheved Mamanov, Racheli Max, Elisheva Welcher, and Miriam Zicherman. They worked with Shevach’s G.O. members Malka Dym, Tehilla Levant, Miriam Nat, Yehudit Shemesh, and Esti Tratner. Yasher koach for a job well done!
