After an inspiring Shabbos in Tzfat, filled with games, activities, shiurs, and a walking tour of the holy city, we loaded the busses and boarded a Kumzitz Cruise in Tevaria. We sang our hearts out and ate some delicious pizza, enjoying the views and company. 

We woke up at 6 this morning and headed off in different directions. Many of us headed off to go build rafts and then race them across the Kineret, with lots of “accidental” falling off along the way. The rest of us went to Tzfat’s artists’ colony to learn about glass blowing and art or to learn from a Stam Sofer and get our names written on a Klaf! From our separate places, we met up at the hotel, dropped our bags, and went off on an optional tour of Kevarim, including the Kevarim of R’ Shlomo Alkabetz and The A’ari. Finally, we had chill time to prep for Shabbos, and can’t wait to experience the magic of Tzfat. 

Aliza Ochs is from Passaic, New Jersey, and is studying accounting in Stern College for Women. She attended Bruriah High School before spending her incredible year in Israel at Michlalah. Aliza is so excited to spend her first summer on Michlelet teaching Torah and making a kesher with the girls!

The girls in Aliza’s Chabura are
Debbie, Malka, Tzippy and Ayala.

Aliza’s Chabura is called “Life is a Journey: Step by Step.” The goal of the Chabura is to study different middos in order to identify areas in our lives which we would like to work on, keeping in mind that the most durable growth is a growth that is built step by step. Our goal is to gain a clearer understanding of ourselves and how to channel our strengths and embrace our critical unique roles in Klal Yisroel. B’ezras Hashem, we hope this experience can have application for the rest of our lives.

What is something you gained/enjoyed from our Chabura?

Debbie: Something that I enjoy in our Chabura is how each topic is relatable, whether through stories, quotes, videos, etc. I feel that I am learning in a meaningful way and exploring new topics.

Tzippy: One thing which I gained is recognizing that Hashem put me in this world for a purpose and I have to find that purpose and fulfill it in the best way that I can.

Malka: One Chabura that stood out to me was about the power of Tefillah. Regardless of whether or not we see the direct result of our Tefillah, not one Tefillah goes unanswered.

Ayala: I enjoy our Chabura because it inspires me and helps me on my journey of becoming the true Bas Yisroel that I aspire to be.

Today we had classes and activities with TJJA. We enjoyed a surprise visit from TJJ Bus 7 later on in the day, and all worked together to decorate and wrap presents for the bridal shower. Finally, the kallah Rochel arrived with her mother and sister. We danced and enjoyed a sunset dinner, and then presented and unwrapped presents together with Rochel. When the party ended, we enjoyed a Shiur by Rav Dovid Bashevkin. 

Lexi Faleder is from Silver Spring, Maryland and attended Berman Hebrew Academy for High School, then studied for a year and a half in Tiferet in Ramat Beit Shemesh. She is a first year madricha on Michlelet and is loving it so far! She teaches about the tefilah of Aleinu in her homeroom and her chabura topic is the Ani Maamins! By going through each of the Yud Gimmel Ikrei Haemunah, the girls delve into the meanings of these fundamental principles of emunah and learn more about how they can relate to and understand more about Hashem and Torah in a way that is meaningful and down to earth. We are so excited to continue learning, and iyH strengthening our emunah along the way!! 🙂

What is something that you take with you from homeroom or chabura?

“I love learning about עלינו because it really enhances my davening and helps me connect to Hashem.”—Yonina 

“In homeroom, we are learning about the tefillah, Aleinu. Since Aleinu is the last tefillah in davening, it is often said quickly without much Kavanah. Learning about the tefillah and understanding what it really means has already begun to increase my Kavanah when I say it. I really enjoy learning with my homeroom because we’ve created an environment where we can really take the things that we learn and apply them to our daily lives without any pressure.”—Adina 

“I love learning about Emunah in my Chaburah with Lexi because it helps me understand Hashem and how He runs the world.”—Rachel 

“I love that we have homeroom every morning because it starts my day off with inspiration and really makes me think about lessons I can apply throughout my day such as messages from aleinu.”—Devorah 

Penina Torczyner is from West Hempstead, New York. After attending SKA for high school, Penina studied in MMY for a year and a half. She is currently in Stern College, majoring in Jewish Education. This is her second summer as a madricha on Michlelet and it has been unbelievable with such incredible campers and staff!
Penina’s Chabura is titled “Confessions of a Shopaholic.” The Chabura explores famous advertisement slogans and their deeper messages, in an attempt to filter what the world tries to sell us through our Torah values.
The AMAZING girls in Penina’s chabura are Libbi, Mali, Aliza, and Leora.

“What’s your favorite part of being based in Reishit?”

Libbi: I like Reishit because of the location it’s in. The views by sunset are unbelievable. The hill we are on overlooks the whole Beit Shemesh and it’s so pretty to see all the views around us.

Mali: My favorite part about being in Reishit is that it’s a beautiful facility and has a lot of areas to hang out and do things. I love having it as my home base because there is always a place to go back to.

Aliza: Being based in Reishit is great because we have a great campus that has everything we need in it-dorms, a bais, courts, etc. and we also get a gorgeous view with lots of places outside to hang out and daven. Also, living in the same dorm let’s everyone hang out whenever they want and makes it easy to make new friends.

Leora: My favorite part of the campus is that there’s a basketball court, gym, and tennis courts. 

Sophie Blumenthal is from Woodmere, New York. She attended SKA for high school and then went on to study in Shaalvim for Women for a year and a half. She is currently studying Psychology in Stern College for Women. This is Sophie’s second summer on Michlelet and she is so happy to be back!

The girls in Sophie’s chabura are Ahuva , Dina,
Nava, Sarah and Mindy.

Sophie’s Chabura is called: “מעגל השנה- Practical Lesson from our Jewish Calendar”. Each chabura focuses on a different month on the calendar or Jewish holiday and what practical lessons can be learnt from it. Throughout the chaburas there are discussions, stories and activities to help the girls get a better understanding and appreciation for the holidays and the calendar. The goal is for the girls will be able to take what they have learnt from the chabura and apply it to their lives throughout the year.

What is your favorite activity we’ve done on Michlelet?

Ahuva- I loved Yom NCSY because it was a chance for everyone for all the different NCSY programs to come together and dance and have a fun time together.

Dina- Shabbos on Michlelet has been a highlight for me because it’s such a special time for the whole program to be together and to get to spend uninterrupted time with each other.

Nava- Climbing Masada was an incredible experience because the views were gorgeous and being there really strengthened my connection to Hashem.

Sarah- I loved sheep herding because it was something that I have never done before and it was so funny to watch everyone try to herd the sheep.

Mindy- Yom NCSY was my favorite activity so far because being there with all the other NCSY programs made me feel a part of something bigger and that was such a special feeling.

We all ran excitedly to the Beis straight from breakfast and formed lines to create arches to welcome our new guests- TJJ Ambassadors!! The girls arrived and joined us for a Shiur by Rav Burg, and then became a part of the regularly scheduled chaburahs and classes. We all did activities together, such as volleyball, painting, baking, and choir. After lunch, the TJJA, Mechina, and Shana Bet girls went on a special tram building trip in the woods, while the rest of Michlelet enjoyed afternoon activities or an optional trip and scavenger hunt in the Biblical Zoo. After dinner, we all met up again to hear a shiur by Rav Gav (Rav Gavriel Friedman), and then ran around during night activity- capture the counselor. 

Campers woke up at 4 this morning to brave Mount Masada on a sunrise hike. After davening shacharis with an incredible view, we hiked down the snake path and the bussed to the Dead Sea, where we floated the day away. Meanwhile, other groups were just getting started. With a slightly later wake-up, the rest of Michlelet split up. One group took the cable cars up Masada, enjoyed the views, and then headed to hot springs to cool off. Another group went to Ein Gedi and did the water hike there, and then went to an archaeological dig site. Another group enjoyed late wakeup and then went swimming in Beit Meir’s pool. Lastly, a group went sheep herding in Itamar and explored the city of Shiloh. 

Chaburahs and activities!! We shteiged the morning away and then painted, danced, cooked, and played ball. In the afternoon, we had the option to continue with activities or take a mini tiyul either to an Ethiopian village to learn more about their culture, or to a painting place where we made our own unique creations. After a relaxing and fun afternoon, we had an incredible Shiur by Shira Smiles and ended the day with a Minute to Win it night activity.