Summer 2015

Listen to the amazing wrap up shiur that Rabbi Willig gave after a day spent at Maaras Hamachpeilah, Kever Rachel, Yad V’Shem and Har Hertzl:

http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/839030/Rabbi%20Avraham%20Willig/How%20the%20Jewish%20People%20Survive

Today was such a busy day on Michlelet! Our day started with TJJ Ambassadors joining us again for a day of learning and fun. We learnt and had awesome activities  like aerobics, art, pioneering, baking, flag football, and volleyball. After lunch, we had more visitors- TJJ Bus 7! We learnt more, and then did some amazing decorating and gift wrapping for the bridal shower. We set up the dining room and had a public speaking activity with Dovid Bashevkin. After, we anxiously awaited to meet the kallah, Sarah! We danced and gave her brachos, and it was a beautiful event. After, we made challah dough and as it rose we heard from Mrs. Sara Leah Haber, our guest speaker. We quickly braided them, said goodbye to some of our guests, and played some basketball with others. Overall, it was a packed, incredible day!

Here is the link to listen to Rav Gav’s inspirational (and hilarious) shiur he gave over to Michlelet on overcoming challenges:

http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/838982/Rabbi%20Gavriel%20Friedman/Overcoming%20Challenges

Today, Michlelet ran on a wonderful, regular schedule. We woke up and davened and had homeroom with our Madrichot. Chaburah and Shiur were amazing and inspiring, and the activities offered in the morning were basketball, aerobics, choir and drama. After lunch, we had another round of Chaburah and Shiur, and the activities were extremely engaging. Zumba drew a large crowd, and fruit carving offered an activity with a delicious treat at the end! The tennis courts were busy with players, and the art project of the day was corkboard initials. We had the privilege of hearing from Mrs. Shoshana Shechter, a professor and head of the Mechina program at Stern College for Women. After dinner, we heard from Rabbi Fix about the value of each and everyone one of us. The night ended with an awesome activity of “Build the Beis HaMikdash” and a kumzitz. Tomorrow is going to be another great day on Michlelet!

Listen to Rabbi Sufrin’s shiur to Michlelet on the meaning of Tisha B’Av and how we can internalize it’s message:

http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/838950/Rabbi%20Aryeh%20Sufrin/Tisha%20B’Av%20and%20Hashem’s%20Embrace

Our day started off bright and early, as we boarded a bus that would take us to Maaras Hamachpeilah. We heard from Rabbi Yudin before we entered to say tehillim and daven. The experience of visiting our forefathers and mothers was very special. We left Chevron and headed to Kever Rachel. Rabbi Nissel addressed the girls and spoke about the significance of davening at kivrei tzadikim. We davened and said tehillim, and were inspired by the other women there, spending time at the kever. From there, we went to an amazing park and ate lunch. Yad V’Shem was the next stop on the itinerary and we divided into four groups to see the museum. We learned about the churban and were inspired by the strength and emunah that so many Jews showed in the pictures and survivor testimonials. The last stop was Har Hertzl to hear about the lives of those who perished while protecting fellow Jews in Israel. The day concluded in Reishit with a wrap-up shiur by Rabbi Willig. After such an amazing and moving day, we are looking forward to a day on campus filled with learning and activities!

It was such an honor to welcome another amazing NCSY summer program to our campus today! The Anne Samson TJJ Ambassadors trip spent all of Monday with us. They learned in chaburahs, came to activities like art, aerobics, and jumprope and went on a small tiyul with Shanah Bet! Having them with us reenergized everyone and put all the campers in a great mood. To add to the energy levels on Michlelet, we heard from the hilarious and insightful Rav Gav, and then headed to the gym for a camp wide dodgeball game! TJJA left, but we cannot wait to see them in two days. We are so looking forward!

Please follow the link to hear Rebbetzin Shira Smiles speak about the Nine Days and Tisha B’Av and how to make it impactful:

http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/838863/Mrs.%20Shira%20Smiles/Tisha%20B’Av%20and%20Ahava%20Rabah

Rikki is from Woodmere, NY. She went to SKA and Michlalah and is now a junior in Queens College majoring in psychology and history. Rikki is so excited to be back on Michlelet as a madricha!

The NCSYers in Rikki’s chaburah are Michal Yacker (Lawrence, NY), Ayelet Stern (Chashmonaim, Israel), Talia Yahav (Chicago, IL), Rivki Feldman (Lawrence, NY), and Naama Schwartz (Edison, NJ)!!!!!

Rikki’s chaburah focuses on the meaning of the words of Shmoneh Esreh and allows the girls to delve deeper into something they are used to saying everyday and gives them a better understanding of the words they’re saying. Her chaburah is about gaining an appreciation for the specific words that the Anshei Knesses Hagedolah chose for us to say each day and to attain a level of excitement to open up a siddur and harness our daily opportunity to have a personal conversation with our Avinu Shebashamyim!

What would you want 18 of in your life and why?

Ayelet: 18 meters of hair so I can donate a few times for cancer patients.

Talia: if I could have 18 of anything, it would be 18 places where I feel like I’m happiest… Any time I want to be in a better mood or cheer myself up, I choose one of the 18 places in the world I feel the best, and just go there and ‘refresh’.

Rivki: If I could have 18 of anything, I would add 18 more yamim tovim so I could have a chance out of school to reflect and connect to Hashem.

Michal: If I could have 18 of anything, I would add 18 hours to my day to have more opportunity to do good and really make a difference in the world. 

Naama:I’d like 18 sisters so I could borrow all of their clo