Elana Kaminetsky is from Boca Raton, Florida and attended Weinbaum Yeshiva High School followed by Michlalah and she just graduated from Stern. This is her third summer as a madricha and she is very excited to be back.
The girls in Elana’s chabura are Aviva Barth (Queens, New York), Estee Brooks (Denver, Colorado), Esther Miller (Woodmere, New York), and Marnie Weingarten (Queens, New York).
Elana’s Chabura topic is “Songs In Real Life.” The Chabura is based on different popular Jewish songs. After listening to the song, the girls go through the original source of the words as well as various other sources to discuss the meaning of the song. The goal of the chabura is to realize the unbelievable power that song has to inspire and bring genuine simcha to our Avodas Hashem.
What song would you use to describe your Michlelet experience thus far?
Aviva Barth- I would say that the song “Feel the Music” by Nachas describes my michlelet experience. On michlelet you feel the music in lots of way. Michlelet is a camp with lots of achdus; we all come from different backgrounds and from different places, yet we have the same goal and you can feel that. It’s like one big family because we are all united. In addition, whenever music is playing on michlelet, you literally feel it whether it’s shabbos zmiros or a kumzitz. Michlelet caused me to really understand what feeling the music is. The song also talks about jumping higher, which to me symbolizes growth. Spiritual growth really does take place on michlelet and here I have learnt that growing never ends and you should always aim higher.
Estee Brooks- I think The song ואהבת לרעך כמוך by yeshiva boys choir describes Michlelet because everyone here is very friendly and kind. I came knowing only one person and yet in no time I have made a lot of new friends because everyone here is so outgoing!
Esther Miller- Odcha by the Chevra 2 because through Michlelet we learn that thanking Hashem is a way to connect with Him and other ways to connect with Him is learning Torah, doing Chessed, being at home in Israel, and doing what we think is right in Hashem’s eyes. All of this is achieved throughout the program and we have all been able to thank Hashem for such a great opportunity and have connected to Him even more by doing everything we’ve been doing here on Michlelet.
Marnie Weingarten- I feel that “Mahapecha Shel Simcha” perfectly describes Michlelet ncsy. The song talks about family achdus and simcha and that’s what Michlelet is all about. Not a day goes by where the feeling as one family is not felt.