School Goes Back to Its Roots

Who would have thought that a wonderful girls school would grow out of a Chabad House in Manhattan? That’s exactly what happened with Chabad Girls Academy.

A little over four years ago, when two girls began learning in the Korn’s Chabad House at the Bowery. They planted seeds in an unexpected way with a unique learning approach that was nurtured by their teacher, Mrs. Devorah Leah Angyalfi. It began to grow, and so they outgrew their classroom and moved to Crown Heights where more students joined. Today fifteen students are attending and learning the appreciation and beauty of Yiddishkeit.

On Yud Tes Kislev this year, the girls had the privilege to return to the Chabad house where it all began. Rabbi Dov Yona Korn, Shliach of the Rebbe in Chabad of the Bowery farbrenged with the students and shared the story of his personal journey towards Yiddishkeit, which ironically began on the holy day of Yud Tes Kislev. Rabbi Korn explained how he came from a very secular home and began questioning the meaning and purpose of life at age 15. He told them about his nickname “Butterfly”, which he had used to introduce himself at the Morristown Yeshiva on his first encounter with chassidim. Being the hippie that he was, wearing a tye-dyed shirt, patchwork pants, dreadlocks and a purple hat, the name was definitely fitting at the time.

The students curiously asked Rabbi Korn if he had ever met the Rebbe to which he replied, “No”, and explained that anyone can do the Rebbe’s holy work, regardless if you met him in person or not. The Rebbe is spiritually guiding all of his Chassidim. The students were clearly moved by the truth of Rabbi Korn’s words. He expressed his shlichus goals enthusiastically to them along with his wife Mrs. Sara Korn. Their daughter Rivka gave her classmates a tour of the Chabad House.

A very auspicious day was celebrated by perpetuating the education and sacrifice that the Rebbeim made, by showing the younger generation how divine providence had led them to a beautiful school which began at Chabad of Bowery where two students left and fifteen returned. The students enjoyed the special trip and thanked the Korn’s for hosting them.

Chabad Girls Academy is holding a Matchathon next week February 27th to raise $100,000 Dollars! They are looking forward to having the support of the community for this incredible school.
Check them out on Facebook and on chabadgirlsacademy.com
Looking forward to sharing this fantastic journey with all of you!