This past December 11-14, 2025, Rivkie Craven, Miriam Mernick, Bracha Quinn, and Refaela Lurie had the privilege of attending the Bais Yaakov Convention in Minneapolis—an uplifting and unforgettable experience filled with growth, connection, and simcha. Centered around the theme “Lehodos Ulehalel”, the convention served as a beautiful and meaningful prelude to Chanukah, guiding us to reflect on gratitude, praise, and recognizing Hashem’s presence in every aspect of our lives.
One of the most impactful highlights was an immersive exhibit on Tefillas Nishmas. Each section of the tefillah was brought to life through thoughtful, detailed displays, allowing us to truly understand and feel the depth of the words we say. Walking through the exhibit transformed a familiar tefillah into a powerful expression of thanks and praise.
The guest speakers added tremendous inspiration to the weekend. On Thursday, Rabbi Kalatsky, the Shul Rav, spoke about the three purposes of a Jew, comparing us to the sun. Just as the sun provides warmth, light, and growth, so too must we strive to bring warmth through kindness, light through Torah, and growth by helping ourselves and others flourish.
Mr. Ghermezian followed with a powerful message about cultivating a positive outlook—reminding us that true happiness comes from appreciating what we already have.
Rebbetzin Gibber left a lasting impression with her empowering words: “I am strong, and with Hashem’s help, I can do it!”—a mantra that resonated deeply and continues to inspire long after the convention ended.
The activities throughout the weekend were both fun and deeply meaningful. Thursday night’s “Black Dot Activity” was especially eye-opening. When shown a white paper with a single black dot, most of us focused immediately on the dot. But one girl noticed the vast white space instead. The message was clear and powerful: focus on the “big white”—the good in our lives—rather than the “small black dots” of challenge.
Another favorite was the Banging Game, where teams created rhythmic beats that coalesced into a beautiful, unified song—demonstrating how much we can accomplish when we work in harmony. On Motzei Shabbos, the Glow Stick Activity took this idea even further. As teams connected glow sticks to a painting, the entire convention theme lit up, showing the incredible power of collective effort and achdus.
Beyond the learning and activities, the weekend was packed with joy and connection—trips to the Nickelodeon Amusement Park, a Friday night kumzitz, and an uplifting Shabbos filled with games, bonding, and inspiration. It was especially meaningful to meet girls from so many different cities, each bringing their own strengths and stories.
One particularly moving moment came on Motzei Shabbos, when the Minneapolis group performed a play about switching roles, reminding us that every person is exactly where they are meant to be. It was a powerful closing message—one that perfectly captured the spirit of Lehodos Ulehalel: recognizing our unique place, appreciating our blessings, and praising Hashem for the journey we are on.
The Bais Yaakov Convention in Minneapolis was truly a weekend to remember—one filled with creativity, friendship, and renewed purpose that will continue to shine for years to come. ■
