Eliana Feifel is from Chicago, IL and super excited to be on NCSY Michlelet for her third summer! She went to Hanna Sacks for high school and then continued her learning at MMY. Now she’s in Stern College for Women majoring in Mathematics. Her Chaburah is titled “Tanach’s MVPs (Most Valuable ‘Prayers’)” and compares different tefillot in Tanach to tefillot we say nowadays. The goal of this chaburah is to work on understanding various tefullot on a different level while learning Tanach as well.

The girls in Eliana’s Chaburot are: Dassi, Elisheva, Atara, and Tamar.

What’s something that you’ve gained or learned from Michlelet so far?

Dassi- “Happy people don’t have the best of everything, they make he best of everything.” One thing I learned on Michlelet this summer is that our lives are not about waiting for everything to be perfect, rather it is about taking what has been given to us and using that to grow. This summer on Michlelet is about making the most of every moment of our time in Israel and applying this idea that I learned in one of my chaburahs; in order to have the best summer ever, we need to make it the best summer ever- it is all about our perspective.

Elisheva- I’ve gained more appreciation for the land of Israel and I’ve developed more interest in my Torah learning over these past weeks on being a part of Michlelet.

Atara- I learned that you have to go out of your comfort zone in order to have fun and gain the most from the summer. For example, every time I get up in front of everyone and start to cheer.

Tamar- I learned from the speech with Rav Gav that when something hard happens to us, we shouldn’t be mad at Hashem becAuse the hurt should be overpowered by the love we feel towards Hashem.

Batya Bousbib is from Englewood, New Jersey, And went to SAR High School, followed by sha’alvim for Women for a year and a half, And is currently in Stern College majoring in Jewish Education! This is her first summer on Michlelet and she is having an incredible time!! 

The girls in Batya’s chabura are Leora, Dina, Shalvi and Elisheva. 

Batya’s chabura is called “Selfies: Creating the Best Version of Ourselves.” The chabura focuses on practical elements of life, such as time management, decision making, and self esteem that help each individual person have a well rounded relationship with HaShem and others. 

So far, what has been your most meaningful moment on Michlelet? 

Leora: In the three weeks we’ve been on michlelet so far, there have been countless meaningful memories and opportunities. One meaningful event I want to point out is the bridal shower michlelet made for a bride who comes from nothing. We spent half the day in the dining room setting up for the arrival of the bride. We made a special chair for the kallah and her mother, and made decorations that filled the room with simcha. We all greeted the kallah into the dining room with singing and dancing. The presents she opened up in front of us made her and her mother so grateful and amazed. This chessed opportunity was not only a blast but also extremely meaningful and emotional. The opportunity to bring simcha to a kallah in need was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had in my life, and I can’t wait to have many more experiences like this one in the future on michlelet iyh!!

Elisheva:So far, the  most meaningful part of michlelet for me has been learning Living Emuna during homeroom. So far, the book has really helped me see  hashgacha pratis in my daily life. It has really been such an eye opening experience for me, and I’m excited to continue learning it!

Dina: So far the most meaningful thing on michlelet has been the Shabbosim that we spent together. I really enjoy the end of Shabbos when we sit and have a kumzits and sing together.

Shalvi: When the first Shabbos at camp was almost over the whole camp sat outside and we all sang, and had our arms around each other. That was the moment I felt at home 🙂

We went straight from breakfast to the busses where we split up for chessed. We visited soldiers, a camp for autistic children, Seeach Sod – a camp for kids with special needs, and made a soup kitchen in Reishit. After meeting back up for lunch, we headed to afternoon classes and had some free time. At 5, we all headed to a private pool and had our last BBQ before the 9 days started. Afterwards, we enjoyed a Shiur by Rabbi Katz from MMY and then watched our end of the week video. Hope everyone enjoys the off weekend!