Dear Michlelet NCSY parents, amu”sh Upon reflection on a very fulfilling, phenomenal week, there is no better word to describe the feeling I have, than using a description which may seem trite and cliched. That being said, the word that resonates most deeply with me, is “special.” I use a word which seems so simple yet contains within it so much. In that word, so many feelings are associated. I think everyone who experienced Michlelet NCSY this week, closes the week with a feeling of contentment and fulfillment, a feeling of having had a great time in such an incredibly meaningful, powerful way. Why such strong feelings at the end of what seems to be another ordinary week at Michlelet? Perhaps because it has been a week of Connection, in the realest way possible; connecting deeply with ourselves, others and Hakadosh Baruch Hu. And we know, there is nothing more gratifying, enjoyable and rewarding as when we really connect to what’s most important in life. It began with Shabbos. The amount of ruach, bonding, singing and incredible unity that was felt is certainly hard to describe. It started with a magnificent Kabbalas Shabbos, our voices rising strongly in unison, and ended with beautiful singing at a kumzits at Seudah shlishit, with an unbelievable Tisch as well as seudot in between which were filled with beautiful, strong, unified signing as well. The energy and unity were palpable. Of course, the shiurim and programming, Torah shared and time spent together were all part of what made Shabos so incredibly special. A Shabbos of connection; to each other and to Hashem. The learning this week was beautiful to see as well. The way the girls go eagerly to their shiurim with their teachers and madrichot and the way they listen so intently to our speakers is testimony of the incredible girls they are as well as their growth this summer. Our speakers this week, Rabbi Andi Yudin, Rabbi Moshe Benovitz, Mrs. Shoshana Shechter, Mrs. Elisheva Kaminetsky and Rabbi Noam Fix were all incredibly inspiring. Our last speaker of the week, Mrs. Rina Ariel, mother of Halley Yaffa Ariel, H”yd, the 12 year old girl who was brutally murdered a little over a year ago, was a poignant ending to a special week of connecting to Hashem and Klal Yisrael. With lumps in our throats as we listened, we were inspired in our emunah and Ahavas Yisrael. Our Yom Iyun on technology this week was phenomenal and interactive, touching upon the need to connect with ourselves and friends in more meaningful ways, disconnecting to connect. One of the many special moments that stood out to me this week, was walking around campus at night, after night activity and seeing girls and madrichot all over campus, scattered around, learning together in pairs during their spare time. It is an absolutely moving site to see, one that touches me deeply each evening, a site that I really love. Connecting with our learning, with each other and with Yiddishkeit. Our trips this week were all about connection. Monday, on Rosh Chodesh Av, we had the zchut of going to daven at Kever Rachel. On Tuesday, the girls were able to choose between two trips for the first part of our day. Some girls had the distinctive opportunity to go on a tour of Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Israel, led by Rabbi Hanoch Teller, and then to Har Herzel, where they were led in a tour by Rabbi Michael Olshin and got to daven at the kevarim of soldiers who died and were killed over the years. Other girls, had the privilege of going to Chevron, hearing from the granddaughter of Rav Kook who lived through the Chevron Massacre about life there and then got to go to daven at the place where our forefathers and foremothers are buried…Mearas Hamachpeilah. Before we entered, we had the honor of hearing from my father-in-law, Rabbi Benjamin Yudin about the tremendous privilege we have to daven here. He choked up quite a few times as he spoke, taken by the zchus that we had. What special moments they were, indeed, to daven there!! We ended the day at the Kotel all together and then ODT, various fun team building activities in the Rose Garden in Yerushalayim. A moving day of connection. To our past, to prayer, to our Creator and to each other. Our chessed opportunities this week were equally special. Sunday, the girls had a great time and felt so good while painting community centers for kids at risk and from underprivileged homes. Wednesday, the girls made packages for soldiers and had a chance to thank them for their part in protecting our holy land. Another priceless opportunity. Most touching to me, was watching them as they made a carnival for children from Sderot. The smiles on the children’s faces as they embraced them, held their hands and gave them an incredible carefree time was emotional to see. Another tear-filled moment for me personally. A week of connection. To Am Yisrael and to each other. The fun that we had this week, was of no less caliber. Incredible night activities, activities around campus, bouncing and jumping around Ijump which we rented out for the girls were all incredibly fun and exhilarating. A week of connection and bonding with each other. And so, what a special week it was, indeed. What an appropriate way to experience the Nine Days. We have really connected to Hashem and His Torah, to each other, to Klal Yisrael and our past. We hope and pray, as we enter Shabbos Chazon, that this Tisha Bav will turn into one of true rejoicing. With love from the Holy Land, Rivka Yudin
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