By Chabad Girls Academy
A few weeks ago, the girls of Chabad Girls Academy packed their bags—and their ruach—and set off for a Shabbaton getaway in the serene and scenic town of Sherman, Connecticut.
From the moment the van hit the road, the tone for the weekend was set: joyful voices sang along to acappella music (it was sefira, after all!), and the excitement was palpable.
The Shabbaton wasn’t just a change of scenery—it was a soulful and spirited weekend filled with laughter, inspiration, and true achdus. The perfect spring weather, with sunny skies, and gorgeous views really set the tone.
Getting Ready with Heart
Before the Shabbaton even began, the girls gathered at Mrs. Kramer’s home for a pre-trip prep night, where they baked homemade challah and desserts for the weekend ahead. There’s something magical about the smell of fresh challah baking while girls sing, knead, and bond—nothing brings in the Shabbos spirit quite like it!
Arriving in Sherman
Upon arrival at the stunning home in Connecticut, the girls eagerly unpacked and transformed the space into a warm and welcoming Shabbos haven. They kicked off the weekend with a meaningful craft activity, decorating ceramic tiles with inspiring Chassidic quotes like “Joy breaks all boundaries” and “When you are connected above, you won’t fall below.” Each girl created a piece that reflected the inner spark she was tapping into throughout the Shabbaton.
Shabbos Begins
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the atmosphere turned beautifully serene. Maariv was sung with heartfelt niggunim that echoed through the house and straight into the girls’ hearts. The Friday night meal—catered by the amazing Moshe Kramer and generously sponsored by Glatt Mart—was delicious and nourishing (both physically and spiritually!). Thank you, Glatt Mart, for keeping everyone well-fed with such tasty Shabbos food!
Moments to Treasure
Shabbos morning began with a fresh and delicious breakfast, followed by storytelling and games led by the best counselors. These were the kind of moments that become our favorite memories.
After a beautiful davening and lunch, we headed outside to soak in the nature around them. Acres of rolling hills became the perfect playground for outdoor games, spontaneous singing, and heartfelt farbrengens under the open sky.
More Than Just a Weekend
The CGA Shabbaton was more than a weekend retreat—it was a chance for the girls to connect with each other, deepen their Yiddishkeit, and step away from the everyday routine in order to recharge with ruach and joy. From homemade challah to tile quotes they’ll keep forever, from quiet moments of reflection to uproarious games in the grass—this was a Shabbos to remember.
A huge thank you to Rabbi and Mrs. Korn for their warm hospitality and to everyone who helped bring this incredible experience to life. We’re already dreaming about the next one!
If you’re interested in hearing more about our unique and nurturing school environment—or would like to come for a free tour to see our beautiful school in action—please fill out our interest form here.
Stay tuned! We’ll soon be sharing a very special announcement about some amazing changes happening at CGA that you won’t want to miss!
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