Rabbi Israel Lashak, Regional Director of the National

Rabbi Israel Lashak  Regional Director - National Council of Synagogue Youth

Council of Synagogue Youth, who previously taught at Yavneh for many years, brought blessings and lessons to our Friday morning davening. 

"There are many kinds of people in the world, of the more than 7 billion people, most are, from the moment they are born racing to the next thing.  To go to school, to make it to high school, to college, to a job, to retirement and then....  Few, a unique few people realize before they reach 70 or 80 that someday we will all "go home."

"Every time you learn Torah,
you put on tefillin, when you learn and live with chesed and kindness you are sending jewels for your family," said Rabbi Lashak.  "You students are the luckiest people in the world.  I didn't even know the Aleph-Bet when I was your age.  To learn Torah, the true purpose of the world.

I leave you with a Shabbos blessing; I hope you will be loved in this world, and in the world to come!

We hope you enjoy the Dvar Torah and this week's  

 Snappy Sentiments  and that share and discuss them at your Shabbat table!    

    

Yavneh's Annual Fall Shabbaton was an experience of meaningful davening, singing, eating, schmoozing, and the opportunity to just be together. Leaving behind the classic formal classroom learning, deadlines, and academic rigor, students and faculty members bonded across the board.

 

"The Shabbaton

is a wonderful occasion for the students to bond  

with one another and get to know one another," said Rabbi Meir Tannenbaum, Associate Principal/Judaic Curriculum.

 

This year's Fall Shabbaton was enhanced by the attendance of four Yeshiva University students; Liora Niderberg, Elana Raskas, Dan Schindelheim, Ely Shestack. "They added so much spirit and excitement to a great and moving weekend," said Rabbi Tannenbaum, echoing sentiments of Justin Katz '13 who said the YU guests brought with them a "special Shabbat spirit."

 

"I was glad to get to really enjoy the Shabbat experience  with the entire Yavneh family," said Justin, recalling his last on-Campus Shabbaton. "Being on-Campus provides a familiarity for us and I think we all feel very comfortable being on Yavneh's grounds."

 

Joining in as Shabbaton newcomers were Judaic staff members Rabbi Michael Friedman, Rabbi Sandy Shulkes, and newly introduced, Rabbi Michel Lumner who is substituting for Rishi Gurevitch, now on maternity leave. The trio created musical memories for all with guitars, drums and an infusion of enthusiasm.

 

The learning of the weekend too came from the students as many participated in the planning and prayers, junior Dania Tanur providing the weekend's dvar Torah. 

 

"The YU students raised our ruach through the roof, setting the tone for much of our programming," said Naomi Schrager, Associate Principal/Judaic Programming who coordinated the Shabbaton with Rabbi Tannenbaum. "Two of the students, Liora and Dan had joined us for last spring's Shabbaton and it was wonderful to have them back. There was more singing and dancing at this Shabbaton than ever before."

 

 

 

 

 

With challahs from Milk & Honey, delicious catering from A Taste of the World (Ruthy, the mother of Raquel Henkin'16), and student and faculty cookery contributions too, the tastes of the Shabbaton, like the friendships enhanced and the prayers pristine, were divine!

 

"I had so much fun at my first Shabbaton!," said freshman, Adina Romaner who enjoyed spending time with girls from the upper grades. "For anyone who isn't used to celebrating Shabbat in their homes, this was the perfect chance to see what it's like. It was a great experience and I can't wait until the next one!"

 

Patience, Miss Adina - Mt. Lebanon in the spring will be here before you blink.