Spotlight on Shalhevet: School-wide Shabbaton in 5Ts

Over the weekend of April 19th-20th, Midreshet Shalhevet High School for girls gathered in Cedarhurst for their annual Five Towns Shabbaton, giving students ninth through twelfth grade a chance to spend Shabbat together as a school. The weekend began on Friday night at Rambam Mesivta, where all the students gathered to daven in the school’s shul. “One of my favorite moments about the entire Shabbaton was davening together,” said Michal Elkouby, 9th grader. After davening, principal Mrs. Eisenman told Divrei Torah to the school and welcomed everyone to the exciting event. We then proceeded to Rambam’s cafeteria and began our meal. We sang zmirot and heard from Rabbi Aryeh Lightstone, Regional Director of New York NCSY. Students really appreciated hearing him speak and it was a sentimental end to a meaningful night. On Shabbat day, students were welcomed to their different teachers’ homes to eat and talk. Students met up at different homes and it was a really entertaining day. “Seeing everyone really enhanced my Shabbaton experience because I spoke with people who I didn’t usually speak to in school and I got to know them on a deeper level,” explained Janet Normatov, 9th grader. At the end of the day, each grade went to a different teacher’s house for Seudah Shlishit. “The food was really good and the whole grade just enjoyed being together,” stated Devora Chait, 10th grade. After Shabbat, students all gathered at Rambam Mestiva for a fun night of activities. There was a kumzits, pizza, and a bonfire. Teachers and students sang together and made smores and had a wonderful evening. Shabbaton 2013 was a truly memorable event and I am already looking forward to the next one!