By Riva Goldwasser
For years I assumed I was going to israel for Seminary just like everyone else. However, when I got the rejection letter due to (space limitation), I was floored (to put it mildly.) Now what? I had to rethink my future.
After a lot of research my parents and I looked into Chaya Aydel Seminary in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Even though I heard great things about it, deep in my heart I felt how could anything be better than Seminary in Israel? And guess what? Chaya Aydel Seminary is not Israel, but let me tell you what it is.
From the minute I stepped off the plane Rabbi Lebovics was waiting at the airport, to pick up the girls. We were all virtual strangers. Before I knew it school started. The teachers were truly amazing. Whether it was Chumash, Jewish history, educational phsycology, art, Halacha, Chassidic philosophy, gym, and many other fascinating subjects, each teacher without exaggeration was better than the next.
I had very good teachers in high school Baruch Hashem, but I felt that this year’s learning was intensive yet relaxing, and gave me tremendous tools for life.
The administration worked very hard to make sure every detail was as wonderful as possible. Whether it was breakfast on a boat, taking us to a concert, going to Key West, Orlando, the Everglades, spending Shabbos in a hotel, or just going out to eat.
The school is smaller than other bigger Israeli seminaries, and because of its size the staff is able to work with each student, to help them reach higher goals. I would venture to say I’ve seen every girl change in one way or another for the better. We had a great opportunity to interact with the wonderful community in Hallandale. It was truly a give and take relationship.
The girls have had learning sessions, visited old age homes and preschools, and really tried to help out whenever they could. Some really nice relationships have blossomed. The community has lovingly accepted and looked out for each girl.
What really made the seminary the best it could be possible was the staff. The Lebovics, Tennenhauses, Schwartzes and the Feiners I believe will leave an indelible spot on everyone’s heart. The girls came from literally all over the world France, England, Canada, and across the United States, yet we became a tight cohesive group and gave each other a lot of support.
It’s hard to believe this amazing year is over. What started out as “Oh no, what am I going to do this year?!” turned out to be the most beautiful experience I ever had.
keep up the good work!!!!
mazel tov rabbi and mrs. lebovics on the birth of your baby girl may you have much naches from her and all your children.
go riva!!
GO RIVA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
what could i say
just keep it up, showing the world what a true chasidishe maidel should be
My daughter also got rejected by the sem she applied for in israel. She was very hurt and thought her world had come to an aend.(The excuse was lack of space).
Because of this she had the best experience of her life in a smaller sem elswere outside of israel albeit not chaya eidel.
So never lose heart.even if you are not one of the Metsuyanim there is always something out vthere for you. Gam zu latova.
go riva!!!!go pittsburgh 4eva!:)
We love you and your beautiful family.We know firsthand that CA Sem cares about each individual and excels at bringing out the best.So happy you had a great year.Its great to know that going to CA sem you can have an even better experience.
I may have attended chaya aydel a few years ago- but you described it very well!
the correct words are Dugma Chaya!
Rabbi Kudan is the best teacher!!!!!!
I cannot believe how much you have grown. The Rebbe must be so proud of you. Thank you for being a דוג מחיה to all.
wow riva…..continue to be an inspiration to all of us! we love you!
Mrs Rivky Geisinsky joined the staff this year
absolutely amazing!
A Big Yasher Koach to all of the hanhala, mechanchim and madrichim of CAS. You provided a superbly balanced staff and program that brought out the best in my child. In retrospect (which is always 20/20) this was the RIGHT choice. I cannot express my gratefulness to CAS. May you continue to be zocheh to bring out the potential in our yiddishe techter, a peulah that doesn’t end when seminary does…it is a peulah nimsheches that continues in the next generations that your mushpoim bring up. Hatzlacha Rabbah!!!
The pressure to get into israel is big. But for what? I have two friends that are went to seminary this year, one to Florida and one to israel . The one in Israel did not change. She is still a chassidishe girl but the one I really saw a difference in is the one that wentto Florida . So if your looking to really grow buruchnius then don’t give into the pressure of going to where all of your friends are going but to somewhere you will actually grow.
as a former cas student i can say that if what you are looking for is a good seminary and not a year stay in israel then the chaya aydel seminary is where you want to be.
After reading Riva’s letter and the comments that were sent in I must say that it gives me much pride and nachas that my child is on the staff of the seminary. Rabbi Rafi and Goldie Tennenhaus ,Yossi and Chani Lebovics, Rabbi Mordy and Itty Feiner , Schwartzs …………….really are a caring , devoted Hanhala for all !!!
As the mother of a Chaya Aydel alumna I could not agree more with Riva’s thoughtful assessment. Yasher Koyach to the wonderful and caring hanhala and staff at the seminary and to this student for speaking up and sharing her mature perspective with others!
Small seminary with a big heart! Riva so glad to meet u there u r amazing wonderful girl ! Thanks CAS and thanks to all the Chabad of Hallandale we gonna miss u. Good job Riva.
I LOVE YOU RIVA !!!!!!!!!!!!
CAS was the best year of my life, no doubt! I am glad it is still around and going strong! Rabbi and mrs lebovics, thanks for everything u do! Its an honor to say I am a chaya aydel alumnus! This article is right on! Kol hakavod
Thnx so much for writing this im really glad to have met you and you added so much to the seminary
My daughter had the priviledge to be a part of ca seminary this year. It was a year she will look back on with joy-as will we as parents.The administration and hanhola led by Yossi and Chani Lebovic provide outstanding role models, infuse the atmosphere with positivity and provide an environment where growth is encouraged and nurtured.This seminary need not be considered a good ‘second’ choice-it is first rate and sets a standard many chabad instititions could hope to emulate!
I am so glad that my daughther went to Chaya Aydel Sem
I have no words to thank all the Rabbis and teachers for the outstanding care given to her
The learning was very good, they made very nice trips ,they had great meals, farbrengens ,Shabbatons,Concerts,Outreach activities
I highly recommend Chaya Aidel Sem to everyone!!!
i was a cas student in the past the article is truly on the mark great job riva
so impressed by this article, well done for sharing this experience, this sounds like a great sem,a nd im glad hashem guided you to florida
that sounds so nice
very special
you show the world how to make the best out of every situation! keep it upppppppppppp!!!!!!!!!!!
טוב מעוד
Riva, what a brave and heart-felt article. You have truly done a service for other high school girls by demonstrating that there are other wonderful seminaries available, and that it is a student’s choice to have a wonderful year in whichever seminary she finds herself. Kudos to the principals and staff of Chaya Aydel Seminary for providing such an incredible level of caring as well as a quality education that is clearly very meaningful for your lucky students. Heart warming all around!
Nice job Riva,
you write better artciles than me 🙂
congratssss!!!
WOW! Riva, i must say, this article is INCREDIBLE!!! every word of it, i can relate in every way. Yasher Koach! …im really going to miss the Hallandale community, Staff and Sem-mates…Im really happy i chose this seminary, i had an amazing experience, Thanks to the most devoted staff, the Lebovics, Tennenhauses, Schwarts and Feiners! Kol Hakavod!
RIVA its beautifull!!!!!!!:) Mrs N. classes really paid off:)
The courage that went into this. i am at a loss of words
I’m happy that someone finally had the courage to step up and expose the good (and not so good) about the sem situation. As a Girls High School teacher myself I can attest to the enormous pressures that the girls are under to get accepted into a “real” seminary; you know those ELITIST ones in Israel… I have felt for a very long time that it’s tremendously overblowen and causes the girls (and their parents) MUCH unecessary agony and worry. Is it all that it’s made out to be? I don’t know. What I could tell you is that this… Read more »
your a brave, and very wise young lady. and absolutely right!
that is sooooo special…
Yup, same story with me. I had an amazing year in CAS- the Lebovics are incredible people!!!
nachas nachas nachas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
riiiiiiiiiiiivaa!!!! I dont even know where to begin… !!! truth is i have so much to say right now so all im gonna say is shhhhhh shhhhh and save the rest for later 😉
your bestest friend forever and ever,
sincerely,
uknowwho 😉
Riva. Thanx for having the courage to write this. I’ll really take it to heart.
Glad u had a great year!!
i just got a rejection letter, its good to see there is a light at the end of the tunnel. israel sem is not the be all and end all, thank you for highlighting this
Many have had this experience at the Chaya Aydel Seminary and it is nice to read about it black on white,
thank you Riva for taking the time to write it
the back of my head looks beautiful!
well written, Riva!