Non-Stop Schedule For Girls

By a student

The excitement just keeps growing at Rohr Bais Chaya Academy girls school in Tamarac, Florida, and the month has been brimming with Chassidishe activities and Farbrengens during Chodesh Kislev.

With the theme of “Ashreinu,” how lucky we are to be Chassidim of the Rebbe, many students experienced for the first time a complete month of Chassidishe Yomim Tovim, filled with meaning and practical application for our daily lives.

Rosh Chodesh was celebrated with Mrs. Chavi Epstein of Chabad of South Carolina playing guitar and presenting a niggunim workshop. Held at Chabad of Coral Springs, the girls were so musically inspired that when they returned to school they continued singing.

Tes-Yud Kislev was celebrated with a talk by Rabbi Hershy Bronstein of Coral Springs and an engaging activity that taught the girls about different aspects of the Mitteler Rebbe’s life.

With the safety of Israel at the forefront of Jewish people’s minds recently, Rohr Bais Chaya has undertaken an initiative called Operation Iron Dome.

Knowing the the real protection to Jews comes from above, the girls have been building a symbolic chain of silver-foil links which are added when a student does an extra mitzvah for Israel.

On 14th of Kislev, commemorating the Rebbe’s and Rebbetzin’s anniversary, the students read a story in which the Rebbe expressed how the day of 14 Kislev connected him to his Chassidim and we Chassidim to the Rebbe.

That was followed by a game of connections. The beautiful decorations around school and the themed music was another visual and audible reminder of how lucky we are to have this hiskashrus to our Rebbe.

Just two days later, 66 girls set off to Chabad of Weston for a fabulous Yud Tes Kislev Shabbaton with Rabbi Shais Taub, noted author and lecturer.

Rabbi Taub focused on the second half of the concept of “Ashreinu mah tov chelkeinu” by explaining “Chelkeinu” – what exactly is our lot as Chassidim. He explored how Chassidus shapes our perspective, and how we can apply it most effectively to our lives.

As Shabbos wound to a close with a beautiful Seder Nigunim, different girls expressed their own experiences of having seen how privileged we are to be Chabad Chassidim.

Motzoei Shabbos featured a Question and Answer session with Rabbi Taub, and then it was back home to prepare for 19 Kislev.

Once again – Ashreinu. It was a day of learning, farbrenging, singing, writing panim, mivtza’im, and inspiration. After a full morning and a festive seudah, Rabbi Mendy Cohen of Sacramento shared his extensive knowledge with our students for a real in-depth look at the place and importance of Chassidus in our lives.

Then moving to the action that the Rebbe so emphasized, the girls headed to several nursing homes to bring smiles to the residents’ faces and sing Chanukah songs with them.

Chanukah began with a Menorah Lighting on Ice – with a Motzoei Shabbos ice skating trip and Melava Malka. Sunday was spent at different Chabad Houses assisting at local Chanukah events.

After a morning workshop and video of the Rebbe, today, with the assistance of Rabbi Moshe Scheiner of West Palm Beach, the school was visited by renowned lecturer and author, Rabbi Manis Friedman.

‘Does Hashem really need your mitzvah?’ and ‘How can Mivtzoyim help us conquer our ego?’ were just two of the topics addressed by Rabbi Friedman.

The girls left rejuvenated, their neshamos glowing and the spirit of Chanuka filled the air, helped along with the delicious Israeli donuts distributed by Executive Director, Rabbi Moshe Rabin.

Rohr Bais Chaya is open for registration for the 5773-5774 school year and only a few spots remain! Visit www.baischaya.com for more information.