9th and 10th Grade Girls’ West Hempstead Shabbaton

On November eleventh and twelfth, the freshman and sophomore girls had the opportunity to spend Shabbos together in West Hempstead. The Shabbos was filled with Torah, Ruach, bonding with fellow peers, laughter, and much more! 

It began with Kabbalat Shabbat at the Young Israel of West Hempstead followed by an opening Dvar Torah from Rabbi Goller based on the overall theme of the Shabbaton, Chesed. The beautiful Dvar Torah by Rabbi Goller conveyed the importance of Chesed and being kind to others despite how they treat you or others around them. 

Following such a meaningful start to the night, students were invited to Seudat Shabbat at the HANC elementary school. Shortly after the meal, all students and faculty, along with prospective eighth grade girls, were invited to a Tisch at the home of Avi and Lisa Rosman, parents of sophomore Talya Rosman. The Tisch was the highlight of the night and was filled with singing, ruach, and beautiful Dvar Torahs from several Morot. 

On Shabbos day, students were to daven at the Shul of their choice followed by a Kiddush at the home of Dr. Ruchie Kusher, the president of HANC. There, students were able to spend some time talking and hanging out with each other until the group headed to the lunch destination. Before the meal began, students participated in a session that expressed the importance of being kind to themselves and realizing what ‘fills up their cup and what empties their cup.’

 Following this meaningful session, students ate a delicious Shabbos lunch followed by approximately three hours of downtime to spend at their friends’ houses or walk around the neighborhood and just enjoy Shabbos. 

As Shabbos was coming to an end, students came back to 609 for Seudah Shlishit, which included a guest speaker, Dr. Rachel Fryman. Dr. Fryman expressed the importance for people to respect, care, and be kind to themselves, just like they are to others. As the Shabbaton was sadly coming to an end, students participated in an incredible musical Havdalah with dancing. HANC Sophomore Eden Rosenstock said, “The Shabbaton was so nice. I had an amazing time and loved just sitting and talking with both students and Morahs. I also enjoyed when we sang Zemirot together at the Tisch on friday night!” 

Overall, the West Hempstead Shabbaton was an incredibly fun and meaningful Shabbos that gave students an opportunity to bond with their classmates and revolved around the overall theme of respect – for others as well as ourselves.