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February 4, 2007
Tu B’Shvat 5767
Dear Parents,
After a rejuvenating vacation, Machon Maayan is back!! With a whole
new variety of classes and shiurim being offered during scheduled
class time and during break time, the students are learning and
challenging themselves in ways, perhaps, they never thought
imaginable.
Some new classes this semester include: The Laws of Prayer, Derech
Hashem, The Writings of Rav Kook, Relationships in the Bible, Gemara:
Tractate Pesachim – the Laws of the Seder night (advanced and
beginner levels), Netivot Shalom, The Haggadah, Foundations of Faith,
The Joseph Story, The World of Rashi, Parshanut Ha’Mikra, Israel
Advocacy, The Real Messiah, Bekiut Nevi’im – Yehoshua/Shoftim,
Kashrut in the Modern Kitchen, and Tefilla Workshop.
This list might seem intimidating to some, but during the opening
week of the semester, the Machon Maayaners had a chance to sample the
new classes being offered, and were able to custom tailor a schedule
that suits their needs. Of course, many of the popular and
stimulating classes from last semester are being offered this
semester as well. In addition, the Beit Midrash continues to be a
popular "hangout" with students learning around the clock
with staff members and their peers.
This past Thursday, the students took a break from their serious
learning schedule, and traveled north to Tiberias to volunteer and
rebuild an area of the country that was affected by the summer war
with Lebanon. Painting, gardening, cleaning, and assisting the
elderly were just some of the ways the students made their impact in
Tiberias.
Afterwards, the Machon Maayaners climbed to the top of the Arbel
Cliffs and enjoyed a breathtaking panoramic view of the Upper
Galilee, the Golan Heights, and the Sea of the Galilee. Next, the
students climbed down the cliffs using a system of ladders and steel
ropes, and by sunset, they made it down to the bottom!!
Thursday night was spent in the Keshet Guest House in the Golan,
where the students were treated to a concert and poetry reading
session with a woman from the Moshav.
Of course, no evening would be complete without a bon-fire and a
marshmallow roast!
On Friday morning, the students awoke early and drove to the tallest
mountain in the State of Israel - Mt. Chermon, the snow capped
mountain! Protected by their warm gear, the students ventured to the
top of the mountain on the famous Chermon ski lift. The Machon
Maayaners spent hours sledding, throwing snow balls, and riding an
alpine slide. Hot soup, sandwiches, and hot-chocolate were served at
the base of the mountain before the students headed back to Keshet to
get ready for Shabbat.
Just before Shabbat, dressed in their Shabbat finest, a group picture
was taken and the Machon Maayaners proceeded to the Moshav synagogue
for Kabbalat Shabbat, Carlebach style. After Shabbat dinner, Rabbi
Dov Lipman and his son Shlomo, led an inspiring tisch with music,
food, and of course, Divrei Torah!
After attending shul on Shabbat morning, the students were paired off
and sent to families in the Keshet community for lunch. It was very
rewarding for many of the students to see how they, in fact, were
able to converse comfortably in Hebrew. In the afternoon, the
students toured the Moshav and received an overview of the Keshet
history. When they returned, the Machon Maayaners welcomed Israeli
students from a high school in Carmiel to share in their Seudat
Shlishit experience. Afterwards, Rabbi Lipman inspired the students
once again with a beautiful Havdalah service. Following some
post-Shabbat singing and dancing, the girls headed back to their
rooms to pack and board the buses. The evening concluded with a
Melave Malkeh dinner in a restaurant in Afula.
Machon Maayan would like to wish a yasher co’ach to all the students
who delivered Divrei Torah over the Shabbat: Liora Fink, Gabi
Binstock, Leah Ciner, Hanna Sorkin, Rebecca Astrachan, Racheli Rubin,
Debbie Katz, and Kaley Wajcman.
Acharon, acharon, chaviv, a tremendous thank you must be extended to
Orly Gasner and Racheli Rubin who planned, organized, and implemented
this incredible Shabbaton!
Have a great Shabbat!
Rabbi Ira Kosowsky
Meryl-Lee Avraham
Rabbi Ben Tzion Goldfischer
and Kaley Ames – student journalist
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