Michlelet  Moments

Every day Hashem grants each and every individual 1,440 gifts. These gifts are the most precious commodity we are given, and possibly the most wasted and underused opportunities presented to man. Of course, I am referring to the number of minutes we are rationed out daily in a 24-hour period. While each minute is physically created equal, there are some moments that stand out, that really make their mark on our lives and stay with us for many years. 

Here on Michlelet NCSY, we do our best to take each moment to its max, to create lasting and impactful moments. Moments that will be cherished and appreciated well beyond the few short weeks we share together in Israel. Moments that we will carry with us for our entire lives.

Many of the girls keep commenting that they can’t believe how much they are accomplishing daily; how many meaningful moments they are experiencing daily. Of course, all in the backdrop of the incredible fun activities, outings and night activities which I am sure you are keeping up with on our blog and instagram.

Here are some of the moments that stand out in my mind.

Tuesday held so many moments of tremendous connection to Am Yisrael and Hakadosh Baruch Hu.  For many it was a moment at Har Her Hertzel, davening at the graves of fallen soldiers. For others it was the moments they experienced a touching and meaningful tour of Yad Vashem, The Israel Holocaust Memorial Center. Many others, went to Chevron and had moments of connection to our Creator and our illustrious forefathers and foremothers as they davened at Me’arat Hamachpaila.  Yet others, connected as they sat in Discovery classes at Aish HaTorah and toured the Holy Old City. 

For so many girls, though, there were a few moments this week, on Monday or Wednesday, that I think will forever be etched into their hearts, minds and souls.  I am referring to the incredible time we spent at the home of Mrs. Tammy Karmel. We first watched a video of Tammy speaking with incredible Emunah (faith) in Hashem about her illness of ALS and how she feels Hashem’s love so strongly and has worked on her inner happiness and peace. At that point, she was already wheelchair bound and only had limited movement in her left hand. They then got to see Tammy now, who cannot move, or even smile and can only communicate through looking at letters of the alphabet. Remarkably, she is 100% mentally cognitive and capable. The girls sang for her ever so soulfully and wholeheartedly! What an indescribable, powerful, poignant moment! So many girls said to me afterwards, with tears in their eyes, that it was the most life changing experience they ever had. The silence on the bus afterward as each girl penned her thoughts was incredibly poignant. They felt so touched and uplifted. 

Sometimes, moments and experiences can be powerful, but when moments are carefully thought out and synchronized and teamed with the right combination, they can be so much more impactful! Thursday, we had the special privilege of sensitizing ourselves to those struggling with disabilities by experiencing the Dialogue in the Dark, Dialogue in Time and Invitation to Silence. The girls had the opportunity to tap into, for just a few moments, what the struggles are like for those that are blind, deaf or for the elderly. That alone would have been enough to make a deep impression on the girls. But that night, when we got back, we had the honor of hearing from Lavi Greenspan as our night speaker. He spoke of what it was like to go blind and to be blind. His resounding message was one of faith in Hashem and being grateful for everything we have! The girls then got to ask him questions and were incredibly moved and inspired.

There have been so many moments in their learning this week that have been so special as well. I have been watching the girls grow and bond in their learning.  With associations to learning such as tests and the like nowadays, it is so refreshing to see young women, learning to really love learning Torah and with only positive associations.  These moments of learning lishmah, of pure enjoyment this summer are ones I know they will take with them forever and will affect their learning Torah forever. Our learning here has been strong and powerful. It is so special to see how much the girls enjoy learning with each other and from their teachers and madrichot.  My personal favorite part of the day is the first 20 minutes after breakfast at homeroom when the madrichot learn a sefer (book) together with four Michlelet NCSYers in their group. I love walking into the Beis Medrash, seeing the beautiful sight of girls bent in towards each other and their book in little groups and hearing the magnificent sound of so many voices filling the room, all learning Torah at once. To walk around Reishit throughout the various times of the day and see them so involved in their chaburahs with their madrichot and shiurim with their extraordinary teachers is nothing short of remarkable. Watching their enthusiasm as they listen to the remarkable speakers in the evening as they listened to Rabbi Fix, Rabbi Grajower, Mrs. Dina Schoonmacher and Lavi Greenspan was so uplifting to see.

We ended our moving, powerful week by going to pray at Kever Rachel. To be able to daven and beseech Hashem at the place our Holy Mother, Rachel is buried, on Erev Shabbos, Erev Tisha B’av, after hearing a beautiful shiur from Mrs. Leba Shchneider about Rachel Imeinu, is an opportunity that is truly indescribable.

As Tisha B’av approaches, we yearn and long for that ultimate unbelievable moment of moments, when Mashiach arrives and we dance towards the Beit Hamikdash. 

With love from the Holy Land and hopes of the ultimate redemption,

Rivka Yudin

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