With the introduction of the Beit Midrash Fellowship program at the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls two years ago, the students of SKA have been benefiting from innovative and inspiring opportunities for religious growth. The SKA Fellows, under the direction of Mrs. Avital Braun, Rosh Beit Midrash, have contributed to the vibrant Torah atmosphere of the school while developing as impactful Judaic studies educators.

HAFTR Lower School joined schools and communities around the world in celebrating the Shabbos Project. Throughout the week, teachers incorporated lessons of Shabbos in a variety of curricular areas that helped build the excitement and enjoyment of Shabbos.

Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz famously wrote that “chesed starts with seeing.” We must first see the needs of others and then seek to give them help. When we do chesed, we give to others and build empathy in ourselves. When we do chesed, we model the work of the Ribbono Shel Olam. Chesed programming is essential to YSZ HS for Girls.

HAFTR High School recently held its first-ever in-house Senior Shabbaton. The weekend kicked off on Friday, October 28, with an exciting trip to Long Island Adventure Park. Students were welcomed by friendly staff, and after we watched a short demo video, staff members helped everyone get in a harness and find their way to the course. Students spent several hours climbing on ropes courses and pushing their limits throughout the aerial treetop trails. The courses ranged in difficulty from easy to extremely challenging, allowing the students to choose the course they felt was right for them. Students climbed, zip-lined, and saw the world from the heights above. After a thrilling and tiring day, the group enjoyed delicious snacks and pizza before making their way back to school and their hosts’ homes to prepare for Shabbos.