Uplifting Kumzitz to Prepare for Yom Kippur
We had an uplifting and inspiring kumzitz on the Thursday night before Yom Kippur at the home of Mrs. Rosenblatt. The warmth of her hospitality and the beautiful, heartfelt songs created an atmosphere of reflection and connection. Mrs. Rosenblatt accompanied the singing on the piano, and her home was filled with music and a special feeling of togetherness. It was a beautiful way to close the week and prepare our hearts as we headed into Yom Kippur. Thank you to the Rosenblatt family for graciously opening your home and inviting the girls to such an inspiring evening. We all left feeling spiritually uplifted and ready for the holy day ahead.
Mishmeres Breakout: “Caution, We’re Under Construction”
On Monday, the school was buzzing with excitement as our amazing Mishmeres heads, Dena Wortendyke and Elisheva Sutkin, broke out their new theme, “Caution: We’re Under Construction.” The theme reminds us that, just like a construction project, we are always working on ourselves, especially in how we speak.
In a creative and practical way, they handed out lip glosses covered with little tools, symbolizing the need to close our lips and refrain from speaking lashon hara (negative speech). This thoughtful gesture reminded us that we should always be mindful of our words.
To drive home the message, we played a school-wide game of broken telephone. As the words passed from one person to the next, they were inevitably changed, teaching us just how easily information can become distorted. This was a powerful lesson in the importance of careful speech and how things can be misunderstood or misrepresented when we don’t use our words wisely.
Dena and Elisheva ended the activity by challenging all the girls to have a lashon hara-free Sukkos. Let’s rise to the challenge and use our words to build each other up during this joyous time!
“Caution: We’re Under Construction.” The theme reminds us that, just like a construction project, we are always working on ourselves, especially in the way we speak.
Technology Heads Breakout: Phone-Free Sukkah Challenge
Our technology heads, Baila Grebenau and Shira Heymann took the spotlight next, introducing their challenge for the week: a phone-free Sukkah! In a world where technology is always at our fingertips, they encouraged us to take a break during Sukkos to focus on the mitzvah of sitting in the Sukkah and connecting with family and friends without distractions.
To make this challenge even more meaningful, we were split into groups to decorate mini Sukkahs designed to store our phones during the holiday. The creativity was incredible, and each mini Sukkah was a unique reflection of our commitment to disconnect from our devices and connect more deeply with the spiritual aspects of the holiday.
Technology Heads Breakout: Phone-Free Sukkah Challenge
Our technology heads, Baila Grebenau and Shira Heymann took the spotlight next, introducing their challenge for the week: a phone-free Sukkah! In a world where technology is always at our fingertips, they encouraged us to take a break during Sukkos to focus on the mitzvah of sitting in the Sukkah and connecting with family and friends without distractions.
To make this challenge even more meaningful, we were split into groups to decorate mini Sukkahs designed to store our phones during the holiday. The creativity was incredible, and each mini Sukkah was a unique reflection of our commitment to disconnect from our devices and connect more deeply with the spiritual aspects of the holiday.
Mrs. O’Connor’s Inspiring Speech on the Simcha of Sukkos (See here for the detailed article.)
We ended the day with an inspiring speech from Mrs. O’Connor, who delved into the concept of the Simcha (joy) of Sukkos. She shared how the holiday allows us to celebrate after the introspection and atonement of Yom Kippur truly. By stepping into the Sukkah, we are reminded of Hashem’s protection and love, which fills us with joy and security.
Wishing Everyone a Beautiful Yom Tov & Shabbos Bereishis!
As we take on the challenges of guarding our speech and reducing our dependence on technology, let’s remember that the true essence of Sukkos lies in the joy we experience through connecting with Hashem and one another. Wishing everyone a meaningful and uplifting Yom Tov! Let’s commit to building our inner selves and creating spaces filled with joy, peace, and growth. ■
