Dear Michlelet NCSY Parents,
As I take a few moments to reflect on the depth of so many of our experiences this week, I am deeply moved. I would venture to believe that no Michlelet NCSYer has encountered so many profoundly meaningful and powerful events, let alone in one week.
Of course, it was a week with our usual excitement and fun, with phenomenal activities to choose from such as aerobics, pioneering, baking flag football, volleyball, basketball, choir drama, zumba, fruit carving and jumproping, as well as highly entertaining and exhilarating night activities and a tremendous amount of positive spirit. We have come together as a united group of Michlelet NCSYers and Madrichot; a force of incredible energy and positivity.
Our learning as well, was of the highest caliber, with our stimulating and inspiring teachers and madrichot. There were optional shiurim, chavrusa learning and phenomenal inspiring speakers.
However, this is not what I refer to..
We now stand towards the end of the nine days, a time period of sadness and mourning for our Jewish Nation. A time where so much suffering comes from the disconnect, we as a People had with each other, a lack of connectedness and love. Our Michlelet NCSYers have experienced and acted as true leaders, connecting in the deepest way to each other. If Mashiach will come, I am sure it will be largely a part to the magnificence of the actions of our girls this week.
But there are a few moments that stand out as especially moving and touching to me personally.
On Sunday and Thursday we had the privilege of hosting girls from TJJ Ambassadors, an NCSY Summer program for public school kids who have come for Israel Advocacy. The Michlelet girls learned with them, interacted with them and hosted them with such love and acceptance that I was moved several times to tears. To quote a TJJ Ambassador who came in worrying that the Orthodox girls from our program would be judgemental “It’s so nice, nobody judges me here. Everyone is so nice and friendly. I was nervous because I knew some Orthodox people who weren’t nice to me, but being here totally proved me wrong. These girls are amazing!”
Or maybe to quote another “These people are the nicest, happiest people I have ever met! Is that what it’s like to be Orthodox?”
But the moment that stood out most in my mind, was the instant the TJJ Ambassadors walked in to our building, with shyness and trepidation. To accurately describe the scene would be impossible but I will try my best. The Michlelet NCSYers who were standing outside the Beis Medrash, formed arches with their hands and started singing loudly, joyfully and warmly, as they excitedly welcomed the TJJ Ambassadors whom they had never met before. The Ambassadors, upon seeing this, ran through with looks of surprise and elation, coming out with huge smiles on their faces. As Rabbi Suffren, our keynote speaker said after witnessing a scene like that said, “What just happened in this room, is the truest form of baseless love.”(Ahavas Chinam) This same exact scene repeated itself when TJJ Bus 7 joined us on Thursday afternoon.
Our tiyul; tailor made for the nine days, was another highlight. Not only because it is a great zechus to be at the holy places we visited, but because it gave me another glimpse into whom your wonderful daughters are.
Connection is the word that best encapsulates our tiyul this week. Watching the girls ascend to Me’aras Ha’machpeila and pour out their hearts at Kever Rachel in the same morning was truly a sight to behold. The unbelievable sense of mission and purpose that was palpable at Yad Vashem and Har Herzl reminded me of the incredible caliber of girl that exists here in Michlelet. Although it could have been a lot to handle in one day, to see the maturity and focus that the girls showed, made me feel so lucky and proud to be involved with such a unique group of future Jewish leaders. It most certainly helped us feel the nine days in ways that we may have never felt them before.
But perhaps the moment that encapsulated it all, was on Thursdaywhen we had the privilege of hosting TJJA again as well as TJJ bus 7. Each year on Michlelet, we have had the honor of making a wedding from scratch, here at Reishit, for a needy couple. This year, as well, we will have that zchus and the wedding will G-d willing be the last week of camp. On Thursday, we made a bridal shower for our kalah, Sara.
In preparation, the Michlelet NCSYers, together with the TJJA and TJJ Bus 7 girlswrapped presents, decorated a chair for the kalah, the tables, made centerpieces, prepared a choir and transformed the dining room. The kallah was so touched when she received the presents, and even more moved by the beautiful choir. She was moved to tears as she thanked them for their love, warmth and presents.
The moments I refer to, that encapsulate it all, were ones that can only happen here; moments of complete ahavas chinam, of breaking down barriers and of feeling united with all of the Jewish People. Moments reminiscent of “vayichan sham yisrael neged hahar,” when Klal Yisrael was one, unified as they accepted the Torah and stood at Har Sinai.
After a day of learning Torah with TJJ girls, picture the scene. The backdrop is a room filled with young Jewish women from all different backgrounds from all over the world; a group of Michlelet NCSYers, a group of young ladies from public school from TJJA and TJJ bus 7, and a kalah and her family, a Sefardi, Israeli, French family. None of the groups knew each other before, yet the very second they met the kalah, they grabbed her, brought her in and were completely happy for her. The scene was one of pulsating energy. Of loud, joyful, singing and dancing , circles moving in and out of each other, voices strong, coming together to be mesameach this kalah. This is what it means to truly feel part of Am Yisrael.
To take the liberty to quote a Michlelet NCSYer, “This was the best day of my life!”
This was a week, that our Michlelet NCSYers learned, toured, had fun and did chessed. But most importantly, they experienced what it means to be true leaders and to lead with passion, warmth and commitment. They learned to be proud of who they are, and to love a fellow Jew, simply because they are a Jew.
May our week and beautiful Shabbos ahead of us, contribute to turning this Tisha B’av into one of true rejoicing instead of one of mourning and sadness.
Rivka Yudin
We are still collecting money to sponsor our wedding. If you would like to contribute to this very special need, please go to https://ncsy.org/michlelet-wedding-sponsorship/. Thank you.