Torah Youth Shabbaton Review
I am pleased to inform you that the first ever TYA Shabbaton that took place this past weekend, May 11 –May 13, 2007 exceeded all expectations. Despite several external challenges that prevented a larger number of students to attend, the 24 boys who participated had an incredibly meaningful and exciting experience.
The weekend began as the boys arrived at 3pm on Friday afternoon. After putting their stuff in the teen center, all the boys went down to play sports. Some guys played basketball while others played football until it was time to get ready for Shabbos. Each boy received a new TYA Learning Life t-shirt for attending the Shabbaton.
Shabbos began with a bang! Kabbolas Shabbos, led by advisor Yaakov Ehrman was inspiring. There was beautiful singing and lively dancing! At the meal Friday night the beautiful singing and continued and divrei Torah were given by Ari Raskas and Moshe Starkman. The meal was followed by an Oneg Shabbos which included cholent from O’FIshel and a dvar Torah from R’ Ari Storch. Once again the boys sang with heart capping off the incredible evening.
Shabbos morning began with Shacharis at 9am. Ariel Kramer and Ari Raskas split the laining as they celebrated the anniversary of their Bar Mitzvahs. Prior to mussaf, Dov Ocken gave an insightful d’var torah to the boys. Davening was followed by a Kiddush (it was good cake). After Kiddush Moshe Starkman gave a very interesting discussion to the boys entitled What’s in it for me? I’d rather be sky diving! The discussion focused on the structure and the meaning behind the Sh’mona Esrai. At lunch Josh Zaslow and Donny Poliakoff gave divrei Torah. Lunch was followed by mincha which was followed by menucha. Many of the boys chose to sleep (they did not get much the night before), play Shabbos friendly games or learn.
An hour before Shalosh Seudos R’ Ari Storch led a shiur on Pirkei Avos. This turned out to be a highlight of the afternoon with some very deep discussions. At Shalosh Seudos the heartfelt singing continued. Toward the end of the meal, everyone pulled their chairs into a circle and continued to sing and hear divrei torah and stories from R’ Yaakov Berkowitz. Then, of course, maariv and havdalah.
At this point of the Shabbaton all the boys had experienced the first ever Shabbos Torah Youth style. What was next on the agenda? Madden and Ping Pong Tournaments.
In truth, the ping pong did not end up being a tournament, but the boys (me included) played many games through the night into morning (no exaggeration).
For those who do not know what Madden is, let me explain. The game Madden, named for NFL broadcaster John Madden, is the most popular sports video game in the market today. It is a football video game. Madden is available on several different game stations including Xbox (made by Microsoft), Playstation (made by Sony), the WII (made by Nintendo) and even available on a regular PC. We set up four different Xbox gaming stations allowing 8 people to play at one time. At 2:30AM Shuli Hochman was crowned the winner of the Madden tournament.
The next morning we had davening, breakfast (yes, with a dvar halacha) and an exciting flag football game. Every student had a great time and wants to do it again.
Students participated from TA, Rambam, and Ner Yisroel.
Torah Youth Association would like to thank the following people (not in any specific order) for making the Shabbaton a success:
Azi & Rikki Rosenblum
Dov & Shira Ocken
Moshe & Rachael Starkman
Yaakov & Essie Berkowitz
Rabbi Moshe Hauer
Rabbi Shmuel Silber
Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb
ALL THE SPONSORS OF THE EVENT
I would also like thank those families who participated in the event:
Yussi & Yona Openden
Israel & Chava Elgamil
R’ Ari & Tiffy Storch
Elie & Libby Goldstein
The weekend began as the boys arrived at 3pm on Friday afternoon. After putting their stuff in the teen center, all the boys went down to play sports. Some guys played basketball while others played football until it was time to get ready for Shabbos. Each boy received a new TYA Learning Life t-shirt for attending the Shabbaton.
Shabbos began with a bang! Kabbolas Shabbos, led by advisor Yaakov Ehrman was inspiring. There was beautiful singing and lively dancing! At the meal Friday night the beautiful singing and continued and divrei Torah were given by Ari Raskas and Moshe Starkman. The meal was followed by an Oneg Shabbos which included cholent from O’FIshel and a dvar Torah from R’ Ari Storch. Once again the boys sang with heart capping off the incredible evening.
Shabbos morning began with Shacharis at 9am. Ariel Kramer and Ari Raskas split the laining as they celebrated the anniversary of their Bar Mitzvahs. Prior to mussaf, Dov Ocken gave an insightful d’var torah to the boys. Davening was followed by a Kiddush (it was good cake). After Kiddush Moshe Starkman gave a very interesting discussion to the boys entitled What’s in it for me? I’d rather be sky diving! The discussion focused on the structure and the meaning behind the Sh’mona Esrai. At lunch Josh Zaslow and Donny Poliakoff gave divrei Torah. Lunch was followed by mincha which was followed by menucha. Many of the boys chose to sleep (they did not get much the night before), play Shabbos friendly games or learn.
An hour before Shalosh Seudos R’ Ari Storch led a shiur on Pirkei Avos. This turned out to be a highlight of the afternoon with some very deep discussions. At Shalosh Seudos the heartfelt singing continued. Toward the end of the meal, everyone pulled their chairs into a circle and continued to sing and hear divrei torah and stories from R’ Yaakov Berkowitz. Then, of course, maariv and havdalah.
At this point of the Shabbaton all the boys had experienced the first ever Shabbos Torah Youth style. What was next on the agenda? Madden and Ping Pong Tournaments.
In truth, the ping pong did not end up being a tournament, but the boys (me included) played many games through the night into morning (no exaggeration).
For those who do not know what Madden is, let me explain. The game Madden, named for NFL broadcaster John Madden, is the most popular sports video game in the market today. It is a football video game. Madden is available on several different game stations including Xbox (made by Microsoft), Playstation (made by Sony), the WII (made by Nintendo) and even available on a regular PC. We set up four different Xbox gaming stations allowing 8 people to play at one time. At 2:30AM Shuli Hochman was crowned the winner of the Madden tournament.
The next morning we had davening, breakfast (yes, with a dvar halacha) and an exciting flag football game. Every student had a great time and wants to do it again.
Students participated from TA, Rambam, and Ner Yisroel.
Torah Youth Association would like to thank the following people (not in any specific order) for making the Shabbaton a success:
Azi & Rikki Rosenblum
Dov & Shira Ocken
Moshe & Rachael Starkman
Yaakov & Essie Berkowitz
Rabbi Moshe Hauer
Rabbi Shmuel Silber
Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb
ALL THE SPONSORS OF THE EVENT
I would also like thank those families who participated in the event:
Yussi & Yona Openden
Israel & Chava Elgamil
R’ Ari & Tiffy Storch
Elie & Libby Goldstein
I would also like to thank the advisors:
Yaakov Ehrman
Sammy Schnitzer
Donny Poliakoff
Yaakov Khaver
I would especially like to thank my wife Shayna for putting up with me during this process!
Keep your eyes open for our next Event:
2-on-2 Basketball Tournament & BBQ – June 24, 2007
I would especially like to thank my wife Shayna for putting up with me during this process!
Keep your eyes open for our next Event:
2-on-2 Basketball Tournament & BBQ – June 24, 2007
