MDS 4th graders perform mitzvah of simchat kallah

Fourth grade girls at Manhattan Day School celebrated the mitzvah of simchat kallah (making a bride happy on her wedding day). 

There were many preparations. First, the girls held a Hoop-a-Thon, a class venture designed to raise money for the kallah. Each girl had a chance to shoot a basketball for two minutes to try to make as many baskets as she could. The girls secured sponsors for each basket they made and collectively raised $2,500.

“When I called my grandmother and asked her to sponsor me, she said she’d give me $100 and an additional $10 for every hoop,” said Jordana Posner. “I was so excited — my face went blank!”

The money was sent to Keren Simchas Chos- son V’Kallah (KSCVK), a fund dedicated to bringing joy to grooms and brides. KSCVK enables couples to get married with dignity and, insofar as possible, makes their wedding dreams come true.

“I hadn’t slept in days because I was so excited for this wedding,” said Devorah Deutsch. 

When the big day arrived, the girls traveled from Manhattan to Crown Heights just as the chatan and kallah and their families were taking pictures, and they quickly found their seats in the hall. When the music grew louder, they set up floral arches that they made for the wedding. They were ecstatic to see the happy kallah dance through them.

The girls, together with their parent chaperones, danced in one big circle around the kallah while she held a decorative umbrella that they had created for her. Afterward, the girls had an opportunity to take photos and talk to the kallah on her special day. 

“I’m still on a high from last night,” said Limor Gutkind, mom of Aurielle Gutkind, the day after the wedding. 

The girls were happy to have participated in this simcha and look forward to dancing at many future weddings.

Manhattan Day School is a Modern Orthodox elementary school on the Upper West Side.