Due to the overwhelming success of the Shabbaton, I have been unable to sit down and write my thoughts until today. I have received amazing feedback from the students and parents of those students in response to this past week’s TYA Shabbaton. I am pleased to say that, though we would have liked to have more participate, those who did take part truly had an amazing, uplifting and meaningful weekend!
The Shabbaton began as we gathered into several vehicles and road out to the ropes course at Camp Shoresh to join Avi Gross and Dov Pear of Project Ascent for some exciting outdoor adventures! The boys climbed the wall and were able to jump on the “Leap of Faith”. With the help of a supporting cast, each boy was able to successfully complete their desired task. This created team building and an opportunity for some great camaraderie.
Following the ropes course, the guys had an opportunity to break-in the pool at Camp Shoresh and cool off with some pool fun. Some swam, some played water basketball, and some played water ultimate. Everyone had a great time!
Everyone then prepared for Shabbos and joined in an inspiring Kabbalos Shabbos led by R’ Shua Rose of Camp S’dei Chemed fame. The delicious meal, cooked by Yaakov Simanowitz and his illustrious staff, followed with beautiful zemiros and divrei torah from Dani Poliakoff. After the meal, we had an Oneg Shabbos with singing and an emotional story told by Yonasan Gavant.
It was late (midnight late), but the evening did not end at that point. The guys gathered around in a circle, and played an hour and a half game of Mafia! Dave, our security guard for Shabbos said, “it is like watching a circle full of lawyers”.
Shabbos morning began with a beautiful Shacharis from Yonasan Gavant, a great laining by R’ Shua Rose, and Musaf by Gobbie Cohn. After Kiddush, the boys joined R’ Boruch Leff in an “Ask the Rabbi” session. The session lasted an hour and a half and the boys asked great questions concerning a variety of issues.
Lunch followed with delicious food once again (thank you Yaakov!), great zemiros, and a fantastic story by R’ Yaakov Berkovitch. Mincha took place immediately after the meal, and then guys dispersed to do as they pleased. Many took naps, learned, and some even played more Mafia!
Before Shalos Sheudas, the boys gathered with R’ Leff in a ‘Round Table Discussion’. R’ Leff discussed the fundamentals of Judaism, and to talk about, why we, as religious Jews, do the things we do.
Shalos Sheudas followed with great food and zemiros, and then the guys gathered in a circle for a kumzitz and incredibly fascinating storytelling by R’ Shua Rose to take Shabbos out in inspiring fashion.
Since the guys had yeshiva the next day, we had a quick melava malka and then packed out of Camp Shoresh.
The Shabbaton was amazing and I hope we can make it bigger and better in the future!
The Shabbaton began as we gathered into several vehicles and road out to the ropes course at Camp Shoresh to join Avi Gross and Dov Pear of Project Ascent for some exciting outdoor adventures! The boys climbed the wall and were able to jump on the “Leap of Faith”. With the help of a supporting cast, each boy was able to successfully complete their desired task. This created team building and an opportunity for some great camaraderie.
Following the ropes course, the guys had an opportunity to break-in the pool at Camp Shoresh and cool off with some pool fun. Some swam, some played water basketball, and some played water ultimate. Everyone had a great time!
Everyone then prepared for Shabbos and joined in an inspiring Kabbalos Shabbos led by R’ Shua Rose of Camp S’dei Chemed fame. The delicious meal, cooked by Yaakov Simanowitz and his illustrious staff, followed with beautiful zemiros and divrei torah from Dani Poliakoff. After the meal, we had an Oneg Shabbos with singing and an emotional story told by Yonasan Gavant.
It was late (midnight late), but the evening did not end at that point. The guys gathered around in a circle, and played an hour and a half game of Mafia! Dave, our security guard for Shabbos said, “it is like watching a circle full of lawyers”.
Shabbos morning began with a beautiful Shacharis from Yonasan Gavant, a great laining by R’ Shua Rose, and Musaf by Gobbie Cohn. After Kiddush, the boys joined R’ Boruch Leff in an “Ask the Rabbi” session. The session lasted an hour and a half and the boys asked great questions concerning a variety of issues.
Lunch followed with delicious food once again (thank you Yaakov!), great zemiros, and a fantastic story by R’ Yaakov Berkovitch. Mincha took place immediately after the meal, and then guys dispersed to do as they pleased. Many took naps, learned, and some even played more Mafia!
Before Shalos Sheudas, the boys gathered with R’ Leff in a ‘Round Table Discussion’. R’ Leff discussed the fundamentals of Judaism, and to talk about, why we, as religious Jews, do the things we do.
Shalos Sheudas followed with great food and zemiros, and then the guys gathered in a circle for a kumzitz and incredibly fascinating storytelling by R’ Shua Rose to take Shabbos out in inspiring fashion.
Since the guys had yeshiva the next day, we had a quick melava malka and then packed out of Camp Shoresh.
The Shabbaton was amazing and I hope we can make it bigger and better in the future!
After Shabbos, I attended Kraft stadium to watch more football and I met up with even more TYA alumni. It was very exciting to see everyone!
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