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September 29, 2006
7 Tishrei 5766
Dear Parents,
With Rosh Hashana just behind us and Yom Kippur and Sukkot quickly
approaching, the students at Machon Maayan have been quite busy with
their Torah and leadership studies, exciting touring, and with many
Chesed opportunities.
Starting last week, after sampling classes for some time and
determining their academic schedule, the students buckled down and
began their classes. Students are certainly experiencing the
challenge of intensive Torah learning, but they are also commenting
about how meaningful Torah learning can be!
Having experienced the City of David in Jerusalem and the history of
the First Temple on the opening week of the program, the students
returned to Jerusalem on Thursday, just before Rosh Hashana, to
experience life in Jerusalem in Second Temple times. The students
toured the Southern Wall excavation site and were mesmerized by the
archeological finds that attest to Jewish life during the Second
Temple and its devastating destruction wreaked by the Romans on Tisha
B’av in the year 70 CE.
The Mishna, Gemara, and Josephus came to life as the students learned
about the mitzvah of Aliyah L’Regel (pilgrimage to the Temple on
Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot), and they discussed the role of the
Temple in that period. The students also examined the profound
connection between Tisha B’av and Rosh Hashana. They were somewhat
overwhelmed standing on the very site their ancestors stood some 2500
years ago under the leadership of Nehemiah, when the Jews returned
from Babylonian exile to coronate G-d at the newly built Second
Temple on Rosh Hashana of that year! The young women finished their
visit with a virtual $1,000,000 computer generated tour of the Temple
Mount in the famed Davidson Center.
The students concluded the day with a visit to Yad Eliezer, an
organization that donates thousands of boxes of food and supplies to
needy Israelis every week. Forming a rather large assembly line, the
Machon Maayaners packed scores of boxes while keeping the staff
members of Yad Eliezer entertained with their singing, humor and
ruach!
Rosh Hashana gave the students the opportunity to experience the
Jewish New Year with teachers, family, and friends. Many students
spent the chag with various staff members of Machon Maayan...in
Chashmonaim with Rav Kosowsky and his family, in Ramat Beit Semesh
with Meryl-Lee Avraham and her family, and in Modi'in with Rabbi
Goldfischer and his family.
This past week, the young women participated in a wide variety of
meaningful Chesed activities that have served to inspire the students
during the Aseret Yemei Teshuva (the Ten Days of Repentance). The
Machon Maayaners were divided into 4 groups.
The first group visited the Alyn Children’s hospital for
physically-challenged children. The students were introduced to the
facility by viewing a movie about the hospital, and then they
proceeded to visit and make holiday cards with the children.
The second group went to Meryl-Lee’s house where they baked dozens of
cakes and cookies for Israeli soldiers. Afterwards, they traveled to
an army base to distribute them. The hungry soldiers were delighted
to receive these holiday treats!
The third group designed lovely gift baskets for needy families for
Sukkot. The students spent time shopping for materials, creating the
bags, and then distributing them to many very appreciative families.
The fourth group helped create a Sukkot fair for Ethiopian youngsters
in Beit Shemesh. The students prepared projects and games for the
children to enjoy during the upcoming holiday.
Yesterday the students explored various themes relating to Yom Kippur
and Sukkot through a series of shiurim delivered by a number of guest
speakers. After the classes, the young women were delighted to view
the critically acclaimed Israeli film – Ushpizim, which focuses
on the messages of Sukkot, prayer, faith, and relationships between
one another. In the afternoon, each dorm assembled on their
respective porch balconies and with metal poles, wood, and canvas in
the background, they learned about the laws of building a
sukkah. With their newly acquired knowledge, the students were put to
the test of building their very own dorm sukkah. With decorations and
all, the sukkot seem very "homey" and will provide a wonderful
holiday atmosphere for the young women who decide to stay in the
dormitory during the holiday vacation.
We are looking forward to next week when Machon Maayan will be
embarking on a 3 day Tiyul to the Golan Heights!
Wishing you all an easy and meaningful fast,
Rabbi Ira Kosowsky
Rabbi Ben Tzion Goldfischer
Meryl-Lee Avraham
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