Wilkes-Barre Meets Five-Alive

Twenty-four young men from the Bais Menachem Youth Development Program in Wilkes Barre, PA experienced a life-changing Shabbaton in Hunter Mountain, NY.

The group stayed in a gorgeous house, where lifelong memories were created. What did the boys do to deserve such an amazing experience? The answer – 5Alive.

The famed beloved Mashpia, Rabbi Yoske Levin, an energetic man with no limitations, is someone who believes in bringing out the best in every person he comes in contact with. 5Alive is his brainchild, brought to life by his boundless energy. Ultimately, 5Alive is a unique style of group-learning which provides services for struggling individuals and gives them the tools necessary to handle the prevalent difficulties of life. Chassidus comes alive in the form of self-expression and every member feels comfortable to swap insights from a unique perspective. As we sit in a circle, each person is in the “spotlight” for a minute or two to share.

“By sitting in a circle, we create a setting where no one is excluded. There is no head or end of a circle, allowing all participants to see one another on an equal level, with the goal of empowering them to feel as capable and valuable as the next,” Rabbi Levin explains. “5Alive is a platform where individuals can think, live, and grow in the most comfortable and effective way. Through creating positive and healthy environments, the learning is exciting and enjoyable. G-d becomes a reality in their lives and not a superficial inspiration. A group of friends can unknowingly help each other out of negative mindsets and enable one another to change beyond their own imposed expectations.”

5Alive instills in participants the strength and confidence needed to navigate the complexities of “the streets.” Thousands of people from all different backgrounds have benefited greatly from our program.

A large part of the 5Alive experience is incentivizing the youth in ways that excite them to care about life. We have already invested millions of dollars to help individuals and groups from around the world. So, after a month of the participating in 5Alive, the students from Beis Menachem were rewarded with a magnificent Shabbaton.

“We arrived Thursday night and settled into a massive barbecue. The next days were full of fun, learning, and growth. Activities included bowling, skiing, and zip lining,” says Shalom Shwarzberg, a group leader. “The views were gorgeous, the food delicious and Shabbos was spent with a deeper appreciation of our friendships and our lives.”

The month of learning and Shabbaton were sponsored in honor of Yisroel Ben Basiya Wonthailer, OBM. Yisroel’s classmates generously pledged the funds to make the Shabbaton a reality and keep their friend’s memory alive through 5Alive. May Yisroel continue to be remembered and may his neshama have an aliyah.