What ‘Achos’ Did For Me

By D.L., A Bais RIvkah High School Student

I am writing to thank the anonymous Crown Heights sponsors who ensure that my high school experience be a most Ruchniyusdik one of constant growth. Let me explain.

Achos Hatemimim in Bais Rivkah is concluding yet another successful year. This year, the theme was, “Be a Player – It’s a Home Run to Geula.” The year was divided into four bases; each base concentrated on a different aspect in our Avodah to help us usher in the Final Home Run. The entire year we were pumped to play the game of life with the home run – Moshiach – in mind.

I gained so much from Achos Hatemimim this year! I feel it was mostly due to the personalized scoreboards, the unbelievable programs, our amazingly dedicated 12th grade coaches, and Blumie and Leah who were behind them. The core of the program, the scoreboards, worked like this: Each girl designed her own daily checklist. It consisted of the level she felt comfortable with in the areas of Davening, Tznius, Chitas, and media. Additionally, 4 tasks that she felt were easy to do (called Player’s 100) and 4 tasks that needed improvement (called Player’s 101) were chosen. Every girl’s scoreboard was different, reflecting her own struggles and challenges. Ma’alin Bakodesh was a strong theme throughout the year. The leaders of Achos Hatemimim this year have been dedicated, hardworking, and creative. Thank you Blumie, Leah, and all the 12th grade coaches who were always there for us, helping us along in our spiritual journey!

Achos is all about growing and striving to better ourselves, yet at our own pace. No one ever forced us to do anything we felt we couldn’t do; we were strongly encouraged to do OUR best. I feel that because of Achos many girls develop excitement and love for what they need to do, “Mitoch shelo lishmah, ba lishma.” They may start out doing it with the hopes of winning the grand raffle, but by the end of the year they have a new appreciation for the life of a Chassid.

Although I am immensely saddened that Achos for this year is almost over, and I’m chapping arein in all the “lasts” of the fantastic programs Achos offered us on a weekly basis. They include:

interMISSION: Every Monday we watched a video during lunch regarding a whole range of topics from Chitas to Shabbos Mevorchim Tehillim to Simcha and anything in between. They were always cheerful, easy to read, and full of toichen. At the end of the slideshow we received a Mission of the Week relating to that topic.

Team Time: On Tuesdays straight from school we had Sichos B’chavrusa learning. There was always someone there to help us if the Yiddish was too difficult. And like everything in BRHS, yummy food was served each week.

Rewards Club: These were exciting events for all Achos Hatemimim members. Sometimes it was a breakfast or a brunch; sometimes it was a Farbrengen; other times, a full-blown event. The entertainers/speakers were always fascinating, the food was delicious, and the atmosphere spiritual yet fun.

Maamer Shiur: Every Shabbos morning at 9:15am in 770 we learned an incredible Maamer of the Rebbe. They made Chassidic concepts which can often be lofty and esoteric, down-to-earth and understandable. It was a perfect way to start off Shabbos davening!

I’ll sorely miss all these programs – but right now I am also excited. Something that everyone looks forward to is The Grand Raffle. The raffle for the winners of the hard earned trip to… Eretz Yisroel! The suspense in Bais Rivkah High School’s shul on Rosh Chodesh Nissan will be thick enough to slice, as the raffle will be drawn. Crowds of girls, decked neatly in white blouses and black sweaters, leaning forward with bated breaths, while their mind is awhirl with thoughts of, “Will I be the lucky winner?!?!” Ten extremely lucky winners will be chosen to go on a packed, inspirational, fun-filled experience in… Eretz Yisroel!!! Additionally, another group of girls will be going on a trip to a city in the US.

We want to reward the girls with the best experience ever. Throughout the year they’ve worked on themselves in all areas and really deserve it. We owe it to them to make their trip unforgettable, but it can only be done if enough funds are raised. In order that the parents of the winners not have to pay the full expense of the trip, there have been many anonymous parents and community members who have donated to this worthy cause. We would like to give a MASSIVE thank you to all those who so graciously sponsored anonymously to make this trip-of-a-lifetime a reality for the lucky winners.

Much help is still needed for this year. To donate, please click the link below.

Your contribution will make the world of a difference!

http://www.gofundme.com/7r3310

Achos Hatemimim added such positive energy to the school; I’ll sorely miss it ‘till next year.