Summer 2019

Nina Siegel is from Long Beach, NY, attended Central for high school, and spent a year and a half learning at Sha’alvim for Women. She is currently in Stern College, majoring in political science and minoring in computer science. This is Nina’s first summer on Michlelet and she is having an amazing time on such an incredible program!

The phenomenal girls in Nina’s homeroom are Devora, Alexa, Shayna, Tali, and Maddi!

Nina’s Chabura is called “Getcha Head in the Game: Tefilah Mindset”. The goal of the Chabura is to maximize the potential of tefilah by improving one’s kavanah. The introductory chaburas discussed the importance of hachana and kavanah. The subsequent chaburas go through different elements of tefilah and fundamental ideas in Judaism, such as building a relationship with Hashem, the unifying power of tefilah, seeing Hashem in our lives, and recognizing the gift of having tefilah. At the end of each chabura, every girl writes a takeaway that will all be compiled into a card that will help the girls get into a better tefilah mindset and, בעזרת ה׳, help us have a more meaningful tefilah.

What’s a quote that speaks to you and why?

Devora: “Look for something positive in each day, even if some days you have to look a little harder.” – I chose this quote because this quote taught me that even in the darkest of times, when it seems like there’s nothing good going for us, there is always something positive. This quote helped me realize that in the end, everything that has happened throughout our good times and bad times is really for our benefit, and if we see this, there will always be something good in every day!

Alexa: “Without Hashem I can’t, without me He won’t” -Chevi Garfinkel – Hashem only wants a small step from us and then the rest is in His control. Its not our worry! We need to fall into His arms and know that He only does whats best for us and without Him we can’t do it.

Shayna: “It’s not about the destination it’s about the journey”- In life you can’t just expect to get somewhere over night. It takes time, and on that journey you will explore and grow more than you thought.

Tali: “What she tackles, she conquers” – I chose this quote because it shows me that if I sent my mind to something, I can achieve it.

Maddi: “There is no reason to look back when there is so much to look forward to” – There are so many things that happen and have happened in my life that I may not be happy or proud of but that doesn’t matter because there is so much to look forward to in the future!

Kayla Samet is from Monsey, NY. She attended Manhattan High School for Girls and then Bnos Sarah Teacher’s Seminary in Eretz Yisroel. She is currently studying for a degree in Education and Psychology.
Kayla was a camper in 2015 and is thrilled to be able to give back to Michlelet as a madreicha.

Kayla’s Chaburah is called “In Thier Footsteps, Ma’ase Avos Siman L’banim.” The Chaburah focuses on different stories in Tanach and how to apply them to our lives. We study stories such as Yona, Shimshon, Meraglim, and Iyov. These stories teach us life lessons that we can all gain from by looking at the pessukim in Tanach and focusing on how the situation was dealt with. The goal of the Chaburah is for the girls to realize how Torah is applicable to our lives in all different stages and experiences we may go through.

Kayla’s chaburah is made up of the best 5 girls around: Michal, Rivka, Tzirel, Talia and Devorah.

What is one idea so far that you learnt on Michlelet that had a strong impact on you?

Michal-  An idea that had a big impact on me is the fact that tefillah should always be our first resort. If you don’t see your tefillos being answered that doesn’t mean that HaShem is not listening. Instead, it means that He hears your tefillos but is doing something else that’s better for you.

Rivka- In my teacher shuir we discussed being dan lichaf zechut- giving the benefit of the doubt. We learnt “Judging others doesn’t define them, it defines you.” This lesson really spoke to me because it’s so easy to make assumptions about people, but I have to realize not everything is how it seems.

Tzirel- A new idea that I learnt so far on michlelet is אור זרע לצדיק ולישרי לב שמחה and it means that when you stand up for Hashem and you do his רצון then you will be happy in the end. Sometimes you need to stand up for things that really is what Hashem wants but it’s hard to do it because you may be the odd one out. However, I learnt that although it’s hard in the moment, in the end you will be the happy one. This is comforting to know that even though it can be hard to stand up for what is right, it will ultimately lead to happiness.

Talia- An idea that resignated with me is when we say “Rabah Emunasecha” in Modeh ani it’s not only saying how great is our faith is in HaShem, but how great His faith is in us. It shows us that if HaShem believes in us of course we should believe in ourselves.

Devorah- One idea I learnt on Michlelet so far and impacted me is when we learnt the story of Shimshon. Shimshon said his strength is in his hair, but really his strength came from Hashem. This is a message for us to remember all our strengths come from Hashem, and not to depend on anything else for our strength.

Atara Benovitz is from Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel. She attended Tehila high school in Yerushaliam, and is currently studying industrial engineering in Machon Tal College, while working as a madricha at Michlalah seminary. Atara has been on Michlelet for a few summers as a camper and she is super excited to be back for her first summer as a madricha!
Atara’s chabura is about common Jewish phrases, such as Baruch Hashem, Im Yirtzeh Hashem, Bli Neder, Hashem Yishmor etc. Together with the girls in her chabura they learn and discuss what the phrases mean, when they are used, and then learn about the concepts and midos that can be learned from the phrase.
The fabulous girls in Atara’s chabura are: Adina, Alana, Ayelet, Emuna and Leora.

Which Jewish phrases do you use most in your life and why?

Adina: The Jewish phrase that I use most in my life is Baruch Hashem. The reason I say it the most is because whenever anything good happens to me, or if just want to thank hashem
for everything He does, I can just say Baruch Hashem and that says it all, since it literally means bless Hashem. I also say this phrase a lot because I think that at least twice a day we should recognize that we have hashem with us, and thank him.

Alana: My favorite phrase to say is chasdei Hashem. A lot of times we take credit for what we do, and disregard Hashem in a good situation. If we just stick in chasdei Hashem we bring Hashem into our lives and show that all comes from Him.

Ayelet: Ma Rabu Maasecha Hashem.
I use this phrase a lot, especially in Israel.
Every time I see the sunset and the views in Israel it makes me realize how lucky we are and how much hashem does for us to make the world so beautiful.

Emuna: Im Yertzeh Hashem. I often use this phrase because I feel it is important to recognize that a plan can only be carried out if, and only if, it is the will of Hashem.

Leora: Bezrat Hashem- with Hashems help. This phrase comes up in my day to day life constantly. With hashems help I will…pass this test…get to where I’m going with no traffic. It can be used with every situation not just something intense. When saying this phrase it also gives a sense of comfort because I know that Hashem is on my side and will always help me with even the smallest of things.

Michlelet split into 3 groups this morning as we headed to our various meaningful destinations. One group went to Aish Hakodesh in the Old City, where we heard from multiple speakers such as Rav Gav, and rediscovered the proof and importance of Torah. Following that, we went on a walking tour of the Old City, and ended it by the Kotel for mincha. The second group went to Chevron, where we got a tour of the city and visited homes of some residents. We ended the trip there by stopping at Ma’arat Hamachpaila, and went straight from there to meet up with everyone else by the Kotel. Lastly, a third group started the day at Yad V’shem, learning about the holocaust and what the Jewish people had endured. This group continued onto Har Hertzl, where multiple guides including Madrichot shared personal stories about friends and family who are buried there. This trip concluded with mincha by the Kotel, after which all 3 groups ate a delicious dinner together in a nearby park, and then headed back to base. The rest of the night left plenty of time for chavrusas and chaburahs, a great way to end a powerful day. 

We had a Yom Iyun in the morning where we learnt how to use our social media for the positive and in a smart way. After hearing from different speakers and having Madrichot run programming, we went in shifts to a chocolate factory! We designed (and snacked on) delicious flavors of chocolate, with the option to add in anything from nuts to salt to make our flavors unique. Some of the group visited an old age home where we brought simcha to many Jews, while others had the zechus of visiting Tammy Karmel, an incredible speaker who has ALS. We ended the night with a super fun game of “Spot the Madricha”, which had us running around the mall searching for our Madrichot who were dressed up to blend into regular Israeli society. 

Hannah Fishman is from Woodmere, New York, she went to SKA High School, followed by Tiferet for a year and a half, and is currently in Stern College majoring in Studio Art/Social Work!
This is her first summer as a Madricha on Michlelet and she’s loving every second of it!

The girls in Hannah’s Chabura are Atara, Riki, Tali, and Tova.

Hannah’s Chabura is titled “Getting an A+ in Life” where she focuses on certain Nisyonot/tests which occur in tanach, and relates them to certain situations which may possibly occur in our own lives nowadays. The goal is to show the girls that their is value to everything we may encounter, and that learning from life’s experiences is very important in order for them to grow in their Avodas Hashem, in their relationships with others, and their relationships to themselves.

What has been your most impactful moment on Michlelet so far?

Atara: Michlelet has impacted me in so many ways, but the first time I truly felt an impact is when Shana bet came together in the beginning of the summer and I felt such a sense of belonging. It reminded me of how lucky I am to be here and I’m so excited to get to experience Michlelet for a second summer!

Riki: The most impactful moment for me this summer has been Yom NCSY. It was amazing to see how all different types of programs gathered together for a night of fun. Everyone danced together no matter how different they were.

Tali: Just being surrounded with positive influences and being in a good atmosphere. I feel like I’m constantly around people that I can learn from and I love that.

Tova: My most impactful moment on michlelet is every time we sit down for a speaker and so many girls pull out notebooks, I have never seen girls so interested in growing that they will write notes on the speech in order to take the lessons for later!

We started our day with the usual incredible homeroom and chaburah sessions, and then continued with our amazing and fun activities. After a delicious lunch, we boarded the busses for various hospitals across Israel, where we brought simcha to children and adults who needed some cheering up. After this, we enjoyed some free time with friends, and then had the zechus of an inspiring Shiur by Mrs. Schoonmaker. We ended the night with a night activity called Project Madway, where campers had to race each other to dress up their designated Madrichot in a specific costume. 

Elisheva Rosensweig is from Queens, NY and is currently studying Psychology in Stern College for Women. She attended Manhattan High School for Girls and then went on to spend her year in Israel learning in Michlalah. Elisheva is thrilled to be spending her first summer on Michlelet and is enjoying the opportunity to teach the fun, loving, inquisitive girls on the program!!

Elisheva’s chaburah is about significant ancient and modern day miracles that Hashem performed and continues to perform for Bnei Yisrael. She discusses why it is important to remember these miracles and how they impact our everyday lives and avodat Hashem. In addition she discusses the nissim that Bnei Yisrael merited on behalf of their Tzadikim and Tzidkaniyot, and how we can model them today.  This can help us value the miracles of the past and recognize the miracles that Hashem does for us and Am Yisrael on a daily basis.

Elisheva’s homeroom girls are Eliana, Bailey, Yael, and Riki

What is your favorite part of Michlelet ?

Eliana:
My favorite part of michlelet is the achdus that we all have and I love how we get to choose what learning we want and all of the touring and chesed we do.
I am having the BEST.SUMMER.EVER

Riki:
The learning

Yael:
The learning,  the chesed, the trips- pretty much everything!

Bailey:
My favorite part about michlelet is the mixture of learning, chesed, and touring. We have this amazing opportunity to grow, learn, and have a blast all at the same time!

Eliana Arnet is from Chicago, Illinois and attended Ida Crown Jewish Academy for high school than studied for a year and a half at Tiferet in Ramat Beit Shemesh. She is currently studying psychology at Stern College. This is Eliana’s first summer on michlelet and so far she is enjoying every second.
Eliana’s Chabura is titled “Never Say Never”,  learning to utilize all of our abilities and not limiting ourselves while studying the text from Tomer Devora. Tomer Devora speaks of the incredible idea that we should all be trying to emulate Hashem and His “midos” reflecting on the idea that we were all created betzelem Elokim. Eliana’s girls have been learning to apply this message to their lives while strengthening their midos.

What is something you have learned or gained from homeroom or chabura?

“Homeroom is my favorite part of the day because although it’s only 15 minutes I always gain something meaningful that impacts my day.” -Rivka

“In my homeroom we are learning all about Shemonah Esrai. Going through each Bracha individually and dedicating time to learning about them has allowed me to have more kavanah when davening shemonah esrai.”-Hannah 

“I always look forward to my chabura because every time I go I learn something new that changes my whole outlook on life” – Eden 

“Learning about the power of prayer in home room not only made me want to take those beginning steps in davening on my own but also truly explained how powerful those words you say are. All in all everything I learned in one way or other influenced the way I saw things and added more meaning to my life. I couldn’t dream of a better Madricha to teach it to me as she explained everything thoroughly and kindly, in addition to welcoming and encouraging any questions I had. I can’t wait to continue learning and grow as a Jewish woman.” -Rachel