On Wednesday morning, Rabbi Taubes addressed the entire student body after davening to reflect upon the unspeakable tragedy that took place last week in Newtown, Connecticut, which resulted in the devastating loss of so many young and innocent lives. He stressed that we dare not think that just because this was not an attack specifically targeting either Jewish people or a Jewish institution, it does not deserve our attention and thoughtful contemplation. Our Torah in fact teaches, as articulated in the Mishnah in Pirkei Avos (3:14), that every human being is beloved, because every human being was created b'tzelem Elokim, in the image of G-d. A horrible story like this should therefore prompt us to ponder the precious nature of each and every individual. We cannot allow ourselves to become desensitized to the value of a human life, which can happen in a society in which we have grown accustomed to "body counts," whether real - as regularly depicted in images in the news through various media outlets, or fictional - as often seen in movies and video games.

Rabbi Taubes reminded all students that our Guidance Staff is available to anyone who might wish to discuss these matters in private and concluded that we must try to feel the pain and the anguish of those who are suffering so profoundly because of this terrible event, we must extend our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to those who lost loved ones, and we must pray that G-d grant comfort to those who are in need of it and that He spare us all such sorrow in the future.

As soon as Shabbos ended last week, the 11 MTA students participating in this year's Makor Chaim Exchange Program rushed to JFK Airport to catch their flight, along with Rabbi Richter and Mrs. Rosenberg who accompanied them to the Holy Land. After a long but uneventful trip, a bus was waiting at Ben Gurion to take the boys and their madrich, Uri Avrabuch, to the Kotel. From there, the boys were treated to a delicious dinner in the home of Rabbi Michoel Brandwein, a rebbe in Yeshivat Hakotel. They then finally arrived at Makor Chaim, greeted by the locals with enjoyable singing and dancing.

The next morning began with the gathering of the 10th grade students of both MTA and Makor Chaim in a program titled "V'kulam Mekablim." Students of both nationalities shared what they hoped to accomplish while the MTA students were visiting. That night, the 11 boys were welcomed into the home of Yedidya Selah, the head of the 10th grade in Makor Chaim, where refreshments were served. He told them that his house is always open to them.  

On Tuesday, Uri took the boys on a mini-tiyul around Kfar Etzion, and that night, the Israelis and Americans teamed up in a fun game of Taboo. The next morning, the exchange students had an enlightening meeting with Rav Adin Steinsaltz in which, among other things, he made it clear to them that they should do something significant in their lives. Thursday was a day with normal classes, but in the evening there was plenty of pre-Shabbos ruach with dancing and mishmar.  

To this point, the 11 students have been having a time to remember, and we expect that will be added upon with their first Shabbos in Makor Chaim.

More pictures available on Flickr. 

• Extracurricular activities bring the extra pleasures to the academic day and under the keen guidance of Rabbi Jon Green, MTA is blessed with a wide variety of options. To facilitate student knowledge of what they can participate in, Arista seniors Yosef Sklar, Binyamin Pfeiffer and Avi Lent have produced an

  MTA Extracurricular Guide to MTA.  The slogan on the cover is "We're Looking For a Lot of Good Men."
   

• On Thursday, close to 60 8th grade students from around the tri-state area came to spend the day at MTA and get their "taste of the dynasty." Visitors had the opportunity to sit in on shiurim and classes, meet with students,  participate in a range of our extra-curricular activities, and hear more about what makes the MTA experience so exceptional. We look forward to hosting more visitors this coming Wednesday.