by Dena Gorkin
In my four years as a high school student, I had two very different high school experiences.
The first was in a big school with 100 girls in my grade.
The second was in a small school with 25 girls in the whole school.
The first left me feeling invisible and a little aimless at the end of a school day.
The second had me jumping out of bed each morning, anticipating the joy of being both challenged and appreciated.
I graduated from the second school, Bais Chana of Worcester, and was determined that one day I would recreate that high school experience for other girls.
And that’s what Bnos Chomesh has been, since its establishment 18 years ago. A school with that warm out-of-town school feel, right in the heart of Crown Heights. Our students experience that warm, heimishe feeling through our strong academics. And they feel it through the programs that open their hearts to ruchniyus growth. Amongst these is one incredible highlight: our annual Music Month.
What is Music month: A perfect example of what Bnos Chomesh is all about.
Music Month is a 4 week extravaganza of in-house concerts, activities and prizes related to music. The goal is to encourage students to consider the music they listen to and ask themselves if the music they are listening to enhances their ruchniyus development. Students keep a journal in which they describe what they feel when listening to more elevated choices. Throughout the month, various well known musical artists make surprise visits or call-ins or send video messages to our students. Over the years, we’ve had visits and command performances from singers Eli Levin, Tali Yess, Rogers Park, Menachem Weinstein, Shulem Lemmer, Esther Freeman and more.
8th Day’s Bentzi Marcus, Beri Weber, and Mordechai Schapiro have all made video appearances during Music Month. Instrumental performances by Laura Melnicoff and Mendel Kugel, and Kumzitzes with Hudi K, Shmully Blesofsky, Brielle Esther and Sara New have brought even more musical inspiration through our doors. We have noticed that during music month, attendance, morale and academic performance all improve!
Programs like Music Month open minds and hearts. They warm students up to the joys of learning. This is the mission of Chinuch today. When we pair solid academic programs with, to paraphrase Pirkei Avos, פרפראות לחכמה–condiments to wisdom, the activities that engage the whole student. Then we are able to teach the whole child, ensuring that we give her a Chinuch that will stay with her for life.
You have no idea, what a special place this really is
The absolute best principal in Lubavitch!!
She needs to run every lubavitch high school!
Mrs. G is an outstanding mechanechess who has not forgotten what it was like to be in high school; thank you for creating Bnos Chomesh!
The teaching is so creative and the students really develop a love of learning through connection with the teachers. My niece’s experience in this school shaped her into a strong person with Chassidishe values. Any girl looking for a small school experience should check this school out.