Machon L’Yahadus Dorm Doesn’t Pass Over Pesach

The Machon L’Yahadus dorm is one of the only dormitories in the world of Chabad that not only stays open through the Yomtov, but actually “makes” Pesach. This setting allows for a hands-on learning experience for its students, many of whom have never experienced, let alone made, Pesach in their lives.

Nili, who was a student last year and recently got married, relates how unique and special it was for her to spend Pesach in the dorm. “For the first time in my life, I experienced an exciting and full Pesach Seder in the dorm led by Rabbi Majeski. The Seder went by so fast because we were all so invested and truly wanted to be there.”

The preparations are extensive and require a fair measure of meticulousness, but are more than worth it for the tremendous educational value they provide for the students. The young women in the dorm actively participate in each step of the process, from the cleaning, kashering, and covering, to the peeling and other food prep.

Alexis, a current student at Machon L’Yahadus and a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, shares her thoughts, “I have been so fortunate to learn about and be exposed to the rich Chassidus, in-depth Halacha, and various minhagim behind the Chabad approach to Pesach. Being asked to participate in the food preparations for this chag is an exciting opportunity for me, as a formally trained chef, to get hands-on experience in the kitchen. I look forward to blending my passion for cooking with my newly gained knowledge, allowing me to elevate my service to Hashem and fully embrace this approach as my own.”

Rabbi Shloma Majeski, Machon L’Yahadus principal, remarks, “In general, the students living in the dorm get to experience firsthand how a Torah home is conducted. One of the highlights of the year is the atmosphere and excitement around the preparations for Pesach. Many alumni speak fondly of their Pesach memories in the dorm, and relate that their chayus for the big task, along with the physical know-how, came from their time there.”

Alumna Chana Leah Bleznick, now living in Crown Heights, has made Pesach every year since she left the dorm. Chana Leah shares, “Spending two years in the dorm meant two years of hardcore Pesach cleaning, organizing, cooking, preparing and serving. It was a lot of work, but also so much fun. When I was living through it, I didn’t realize how life-changing the hands-on experience would be. Now, six years of marriage later and some kids, ka”h, my husband and I make Pesach every single year. We do it smoothly, easily, and without much stress. Since I learned how to cook Pesach for 50 people, cooking for just a few guests and my family feels like a breeze. I still use all of the same dorm Pesach recipes I ate as a student, and my family loves them. It’s such an incredible bracha that even though I became frum later in life, I am able to make and keep a fully Chabad Pesach with all of the minhagim with such ease and confidence.”

Machon L’Yahadus is fortunate to have on staff the wonderful Mrs. Smadar Benchayoun, who for many years has stepped in to head the cooking operations, alongside teaching the students how to make sugar water, gefilte fish from scratch, and other Pesach staples.

Basya, a second-year student, shares, “It is an unforgettable experience when you have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in Pesach preparations.” She laughs, and adds, “Now I know how to change over a kitchen in three days to a total foil spaceship.”

Chaya Raizel, a second-year student, though not a resident of the dorm year-round, joined the dorm last year for Pesach and treasured the time very much. “Pesach in the dorm was an incredibly special experience, especially having the Seder led by Rabbi Majeski who explained all the details and added Chassidic insights throughout. It was a time I was able to bond so much with friends there throughout the week. On Shvii shel Pesach, we had a deep and moving farbrengen with Rabbi Shimmy Weinbaum that I still think about until this day,” Chaya Raizel reflects.

Machon L’Yahadus is blessed to have Mrs. Shterna Rodal as the dorm mother, at the helm of all the Yomtov preparations, who is assisted by the capable and energetic Madrichot. The precedent for many of the systems was set long ago by the well-known firm but loving Mrs. Gansburg.

Mrs. Gita Gansburg taught the girls to make Pesach in the dorm the way she had been taught back in Russia with ALL the Chabad chumros. Some of Mrs. Gansburg’s specific chumros are still cherished, though the ones that were less common amongst Chabad Chasidim are no longer kept. Current students are always shocked when they hear that in Mrs. Gansburg’s days, the only vegetables in the dorm on Pesach were potatoes, beets, carrots, sweet potatoes, parsnip, celery root and onions.

Especially in those years, preparing for Pesach in the dorm was done with a sense of anticipation, as everyone hoped that the Rebbe would come to visit on the Seder night, as was his custom for a number of years.

It was on one such visit that the Rebbe turned to Mrs. Gansburg and told her, “Adank far hodeven mein techter – Thank you for raising my daughters.”

One year, Rabbi Leibel Groner, the Rebbe’s secretary, was requested to run the Seder in the dorm. Upon learning of this, the Rebbe sent him a handwritten message, part of which included the words, “Ashrei Chelko – How fortunate is your lot!”

Basya shares again, “The rich history of the dorm makes me feel that I am a part of something big.”

For more information about Machon L’Yahadus, please visit womensyeshiva.org or email [email protected]. Machon L’Yahadus is under the auspices of NCFJE.