By a Bais Rivkah student
The Bais Rivkah High School bi-annual Shabbaton was greatly anticipated this year. As a sophomore who had never gone before, I didn’t understand the hype for Shabbaton. I didn’t get how it would be different from every other program the school makes. But I sure was in for a surprise. Because, from the moment I arrived till it was time to go back home, I was engulfed in an atmosphere I will never forget. Shabbaton is an event you must experience, and I’ll do my best to describe it for you now.
Picture five hundred high school students united for a Shabbos together. Add to that an amazing administration, staff of teachers, phenomenal 12th graders who spent weeks planning it, and the most inspirational and knowledgeable speakers, to get the Shabbos of a lifetime. The Rabbis who came to spend the weekend with us were brilliant and dedicated. Rabbi Shimmy Winebaum, Rabbi Herman, Rabbi Manis Friedman, Rabbi Pearlmutter, and Rabbi Markowitz each stayed up till late into the night farbrenging. The incredible feeling of being part of something so much greater than myself was overwhelming.
The theme of this year’s Shabbaton was trust. Trust is the basis for all interpersonal relationships, and also for our relationship with Hashem. We wake up each morning and say the words, “Rabah emunasecha–Great is Your thankfulness.” This entire world was created for one reason only; to become a dwelling place for its Creator. Hashem concealed Himself in this world only because he wants us to find Him everywhere. In the food we eat, the words we say, the people we meet, and in our daily experiences. In everything that happens to us–both good and bad–In illness and pain, in the temptations we feel, and the desires we think are our own, we have to find Hashem. Rabah emunasecha: Dear G-d, in the day I am now about to confront, You trust me! You trust me to make the right choices, to face the challenges of life with dignity, inner joy, and true strength. You believe in my ability to see beyond the reality I am facing to the future that will be. You are with me every moment of my day, cheering me on. I will strive to be deserving of it, by fulfilling the mission You sent me here to do.
The twelfth graders had gone to the hotel on Thursday and enjoyed some exclusive, fun-filled senior moments snow tubing. When the buses pulled into the Raleigh Hotel on Friday afternoon, we were greeted by enthusiastic twelfth graders singing a welcome song- “so much to discover, so much to explore, this Shabbaton’s just for you!”
Then we had a day full of electives. We enjoyed swimming, sledding, Zumba, and art, followed by a delicious Friday afternoon lunch. After bentching licht, we had an amazing program which gave us a glimpse into what was yet to come. We were addressed by Mrs. Swerdlov followed by a sister-sister game involving staff members and students. We then watched a hysterical comedy show played out by Rabbi Freidman, Rabbi Stock, Rabbi Pearlmutter, and Rabbi Herman. Then came Friday night davening. I never heard anything like it before, hundreds of girls singing aloud with one voice. We were completely in sync with the words of davening.
After the delicious Shabbos meal, the night was just beginning as teachers, Rabbis, and madrichot sat with us to farbreng, discuss, and share ideas till the wee hours of the morning. It was so inspiring to see how many people stayed up Farbrenging all night!
Despite the lack of adequate shut-eye, AM came and girls gathered for optional Chassidus before davening. “I slept for two hours, but I didn’t feel tired. I had never been so pumped in my life!” one ninth grader told me.
The Shabbos meal gave way to singing. It was followed by workshops given by our very own seniors, explaining how we can apply the theme in a practical way. Ask the rabbi, Mincha, and a scrumptious Seudah Shlishis all followed. We saw Shabbos out with a heartfelt seder negunim all together.
The Motzei Shabbos program was out of this world! In addition to the fun relay races, moon bounces, face painting, and a ventriloquist, the program had a twist to truly bring home all the inspiration we had gained–it’s called a hachlata auction. Instead of paying money to get tickets for the auction, each prize had a specific hachlata for the girls to add in for at least a week after shabbaton.
As we danced into the night I mused to myself, Is Shabbaton everything I heard about? No, I realized, absolutely not! It was more. Shabbaton is indescribable.
Is it life changing, inspiring, and long lasting? Absolutely, yes. Bais Rivkah is a different place post-Shabbaton. “The school is on a high,” related a teacher. All I can say is I can’t wait until next Shabbaton!
*Please note that pictures were chosen with care and sensitivity according to the rules of Bais Rivka High School.
Thank you Bais Rivkah for such an uplifting and inspiring Shabbos experience.
My Daughter came back enthused and full of Chayus to continue to grow as a Bas Chabad.
A Special Yasher Koach to Morah Teichtel who continue to be a shining light to all the thousands of students who have passed through the walls of Bais Rivkah
From a grateful mother of an out of town student
Bais Rivkah would be nothing without her.
A massive thank you for being the most amazing person.
Only brachos.
Best speaker and teacher EVER! Answered my questions better than anyone.
The Lubavitch world is lucky to have such a dedicated individual who has a chush in bringing out the potentiol of our girls.
Yasher koach.
gooo shternie
Since shabbaton theres such a good energy in school. All the teachers are saying that wverones inspired
What a great program. Ruach, farbrengen, inspiration and all of it non-stop. And she can’t stop talking about Rabbi Friedman. Yasher Koach Bais Rivkah on a job well done.
The shabbaton this year was AMAZING!! The 12th graders and all the staff made it awesome. This was a great year to start off high school. We have an amazing 12th grade an awesome G.O. Great teachers/staff they told us before we left on the buses on Friday that some of the point of shabbaton was to make/get to now more ppl and friends and iam really happy to say they were right because iam now really close friends with a girl I wouldn’t even glance twice at! And it’s all beacuse they made us sit with random ppl Friday… Read more »
Im a student and I have to say thst seeeing my teachers in a different seeting was delightful
Shabbaton was worth every pennny
I LOVE YOU COME HOME
australia aint the some
xoxox your favourite PB
I am a teacher in Bais Rivka High School. I thought the Shabbaton was incredible – and the HOURS/DAYS of work put into it beforehand by the 12th graders, the GO girls, Mrs. Blau, Morah Tiechtel, Rabbi Stock, and I’m sure many others that I don’t know about, should be appreciated and acknowledged by everyone, because if we don’t encourage, and we only criticize, it is hard for people to keep up their motivation. So, I’m sorry if someone is hurting, but please try to think before you knock. If your daughter went on the Shabbaton, I am SURE she… Read more »
so proud of my little sister in 12th grade for making the posters in first photo about how the world is changing in preparation for Moshiach’s time! Yay Chaya!
I would like to thank beis rivkah for being an amazing school. My girls love the place. You give so much extra chasidishe programs. And to remind every one we pay double gfor purboys in yeshivahs.
what an incredible shabbaton. i am so grateful to all the girls who worked so hard, to the teachers and administrators who worked so hard and thank you for bringing all your children and making sure that your families enjoy themselves so that you can do all the incredible things you do with a happy and easy heart.
some people really miss the point. let us focus on what we should. thank you bais rivka for all you do!
really creative theme i have to say im impressed with that. . who thought of it??
Shabbaton is the most incredible memory I have of high school. Aside for the fact that it was inspiring, it gave us students the opportunity to employ our skills and talents in a real way, and actually partake in and share the fruits of our labor. Since then, I have never felt so devoted to something, so driven by something, so given to something. I truly miss being able to have such an impact and being able to give at the same time. I also remember how badly us organizers wanted EVERY GIRL TO BE THERE. I remember some girls… Read more »
i brought my family and paid for every single person.
Why not enroll your child in some other school that does not ask for additional money for events like a shabbaton?
in the last picture mimi, shaina and dassie.
You guys are AWESOMEE!!
Anyone who asked for a scholarship got one! There were rlly nice ppl who sponsored for other girls!!! Every single teacher that was there was dedicated beyond and was there for the students! Which other school would cover the deficits and give so many scholarships? Brhs rox 😉
Is anyone surprised that Rabbi Manis Friedman was there?? It seems like he’s everywhere!! I great Yashe Koyach to R’ Manis. He was the highlight if the weekend for my daughter!
each extra family member or married child of a teacher pays to come. only the teacher is paid for. your money goes straight towards benefiting ur own child. stop being negative about stupid things
the shabbaton costs about 100,000!
the teachers have to pay for their rooms
The teachers get one room for themselves, and any additional rooms they need to pay for. asking how they could afford it with a Beis Rivkah salary is a different point entirely….
Not a single teacher came to vacation with their family, they came to inspire, farbreng and connect with their students! and thats exactly what they did!
why do u have to spoil something so good? it was amazing!!!!!!
100% percent correct!
Any teacher who brings family, PAYS!!!!!!
Before making assumptions that your money PAYS for them, get your facts straight!!!!!!!!!! Seriously!!!!!
BR rents out the whole hotel so if there is extra rooms then y not bring more ppl along?
as a 12th grader, i realize how every little thing that happened cost money and adds up to thousands and thousands of dollars. ur $170 did not go towards the teachers and other members to stay at the hotel, but for your daughters benefit.
To number # 2 how do you know that they didn’t pay for their rooms? From your comment it is clear that you are probably
Part of the “let’s not pay but expect everything ” group
Eventually it will catch up to you and your kids
The teachers who take more then one room happen to actually pay for them
Bingo! I was appalled when I read #2 , she obviously did not speak to her daughter about the Shabbaton, I did! It was one of the most inspiring and well organized events BR has had! Yashar Koach to the organizers! And yes, let all the teachers, rabbis , and administrators bring the whole family, let all the girls see the human side of their wonderful teachers! Please BR plan more of these events , they are worth more than the eight hours of school each day!
i think that before writing or saying anything u should think. think how much for you it would cost to go to a hotel times that by 500 then add food for 8 meals and over 500 ppl then add the activities. and that doesnt include the buses which was coach buses and now tell me if the 170 that everyone is giving even covers for 3/4 of the shabbaton. oh and each teacher paid to go so plz jst not to embarrass urself think and stop thinking that bais rivka robs u!
I agree with both. this was over our heads, especially if have more then one daughter. But they also had a great time.
I do wonder why so many staff brought along more then just their own half
Of course teachers should come but they really don’t have to bring grandchildren and all married children. And a friend per child I think thats taking advantage of our money. But loved shabbaton thank you!
i would like to reiterate what number 3 said.
Lots of teachers go on the shabbaton and stay up til the early hours of the morning talking to the girls and inspiring them.
maybe they should have a shabbaton with no rabbis, no teachers and no inspiration? what would be the point then? the 170 dollars is incomparable to the amount of spiritual (and emotional) inspiration the girls get on this shabbaton.
Yes I agree its beautiful to see teachers outside the classroom etc. But #2’s point was why all the extended family and friends?!?! Im sorry but for every child to bring along a friend and for every last grandchild to join is unjust! You can come for shabbos and u instance it of course, but please dont be shnorish and bring along every married child with they’re big families kah!
Knowing that the cost of this Shabbaton was way over my head, I told my daughter early on… babysit!! earn the $$$. I don’t want you to miss out on such a special occasion! She’s been babysitting on and off constantly and Baruch Hashem I only had to pay for a bit of it!! Nothing extra special comes for free! The girls would never have been happy with a junky hotel etc.. The extra families did not come for free!!!
I am sorry that you see it this way. I see that 170 as true investment into my girls’ commitment to Torah and Chassidus. When they sit on the floor with their teachers and farbreng until 4 in the morning, when they report back to me how the administration and teachers interact so beautifully with the students, and the students see the teachers outside the classroom as people, mothers and role models… this to me is priceless. So instead of focusing on how much this took out of you – which I understand is no small amount – think about… Read more »
After hearing from my daughter how many of BR faculty friends and relatives were at the Shabbaton, I was beginning to understand why a school Shabbaton cost us so much!!!! Is our $170 to cover all those “extra” people? If yes that is really unjust!! Manu of us can not afford the $170, but we can’t “humiliate” our precious daughters by either not sending them or asking for a lower price!! These high prices are insane!! Everyone stop being blind to the money the schools constantly suck out of us every other day, on top of the tuition that we… Read more »
go Feigie you did an amazing job!!!!!!