Dear Michlelet NCSY Parents, amu”sh

What a tremendously satisfying and superb first full week we have had! It is such a pleasure getting to know all your wonderful daughters. We are really coming together as a cohesive group, filled with special shared experiences and an impressive amount of spirit and excitement. 

I am sure you are following our blog (michlelet.ncsy.org) and are seeing the incredible blend, merging first rate encounters with learning, chessed, touring our land and having pure fun.

Our first Shabbos was really delightful. The singing, ruach, zmiros, tish and kumzits were indescribable!! Some highlights were…..the Infamous Michlelet NCSY Tisch led by our “Rebbe” (Madricha- Rina Landsman) and “Rebbetzin” (Madricha-Leora Litwin,)was filled with energy and you could hear the laughter and singing from miles away. Throughout Shabbos more and more singing…zmiros…fun, getting to know you programs…a beautiful kumzits at sunset and surrounded by beautiful hills at Shalosh Seudos. The girls had so much spirit and were really into the program. At the meals, we heard beautiful divrei Torah presented by Michlelet NCSYers, Michal Yacker and Goldie Serwatien. There were also optional shiurim offered by Rabbi Andi Yudin and Rabbi Joshy Starr. It was amazing to see how many girls came to both of the optional shiurim!! It showed how exceptional and unique our girls are!! 

It was a really beautiful Shabbos filled with bonding, good feeling and spirituality.

Upon reflecting our week, each day was packed with so many meaningful and exciting experiences. 

In the area of learning, it really got off to a great start. I was so touched watching the Michlelet NCSYers so involved in learning in their small, informal chaburahswith their phenomenal madrichot. Their interest in learning with their top notch teachers was also veryinspiring to me. This was a personal real highlight of my week. I loved walking around, watching their excitement and involvement and listening to the sounds of Torah reverberating in the air. They were so engrossed and moved while listening to our extraordinary night speakers this week as well. (This week we had the privilege of hearing from Rav Dani Marcus, R’ Lavi Greenspan and Rav Menachem Nissel.)

Our touring, and getting to really know and feel our beautiful Land of Israel was another high spot for so many this week. We hiked the magnificent cliffs of  Nachal Arugot, the very same cliffs where Dovid Hamelech travelled. There was nothing like the thrill of banana boating, tubing, swimming, snorkeling and going on a boat ride on the beautiful blue water of Eilat at the Red Sea. Equally as important as the fun that was had, were the new bonds created as we enjoyed each other’s company, splashing and laughing together.

Our activities this week were delightful, with a plethora of activities throughout the week for the NCSYers to choose from; Swimming, Aerobics, Yoga, Basketball Leagues, Art, Dance, Baking, Jumproping, Cake Decorating, Beat boxing and Jump-roping. It is great to relax and have a good time together with fellow Michlelet NCSYers and madrichot.

Our Night Activities weren’t any less sensational.  During all our Night Activities this week; Iron Chef Michlelet, Farmhouse or Game Show Night, the laughter, unity and energy was strong and palpable as they competed, participated in fear factor activities, minute to win it and are you smarter than a 5th grader. 

In the arena of chessed, it was really special to assist the people of Yerushalayim. Whether packaging food at Chasdei Neomi or Yad Eliezer for the needy of Jerusalem, or organizing medical equipment at Yad Sara, the NCSYers felt accomplished and fulfilled.

What a treat it was to participate in another chessed this week; greeting a Nefesh B’Nefesh flight early Tuesday morning. The girls were so enthusiastic and lively. How beautiful it was to witness the landing as well as to be part of their warm welcome. The girls were literally in tears as they watched everyone come off the plane. On a personal note, it was especially moving for me to watch the girls give such a warm welcome, being that it is about seven years now that our family has made aliyah, and it made me reminiscent of the emotions we felt when we came home. I was so proud of all our Michlelet NCSYers as they cheered the new Olim on as they landed, warmly welcoming them, grabbing them and dancing with the youngest new olim, the sweet delicious children. There were many young children as well as elderly people on this particularly packed flight.

                                                                                                                                                                                 Upon contemplation of our week, one scene that was particularly moving for me was at the Ben Gurion Airport while waiting for the plane to land. I turned around and saw an elderly woman, a Holocaust survivor, standing, anticipating the arrival of family members to land in our Holy Land. In her hand, she held a sign that read, “Am Yisrael Chai”, (“The Jewish Nation Lives On.”) Where else, and how else, does the eternity of our people come together than in a scene like this? As our girls, along with many others, greeted the olim warmly, with love and excitement, I turned around and glimpsed at her holding the sign, with tear filled eyes. It was a moment where our past, present and future all came together in such a poignant, stirring way.

As our off Shabbos has begun, I look forward to next week, where we can continue connecting to our past, building our present and creating our future while growing through Torah, Chessed and Ahavat Yisrael in this land of our dreams.

Please feel free to be in touch with any questions or feedback you may have.

Thank you for this most special privilege,

Rivka Yudin

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