Yeshiva Trip: Ice Hotel of Quebec

Thirty days before Yud Shvat, and preparations started with a bang. The Bochurim of Or Menachem in Napierville, Quebec, were very excited to prepare for this holy day, especially this year – 68 Years of the Rebbe’s nesius.

The Shluchim prepared a very challenging Mivtza of preparation for this special day. The Bochurim had to commit to learn Chitas-Rambam every day, learn and get tested on the Bosi Legani Maamar, dip in the mikva, learn without interruption for the first 20 minutes of each seder, to join seder hashkem – an early- bird tanya class 15 minutes before morning Chassidus – and much much more.

To be honest, at first the bochurim were quite weary about joining this very draining and time-consuming mivtza. However, when they heard which prizes the Shluchim and Hanhala prepared for them, they all jumped in- head first!

There were raffles on a set of Likutei Sichos, a set of English story- books, and much more. There were enough prizes for everybody to win something! Amazingly, b’hashgocha protis, everybody won the raf e exactly what he wanted to win! The Rabbis, the Shluchim and the bochurim watched the Grand Draw with open eyes and saw Hashem’s hand openly!

But that wasn’t it! The Bochurim were also promised a huge surprise grand trip. The Bochurim were delighted when the yeshiva van drove into the famous ice hotel in Quebec City.

The Shluchim used the time in the car to teach the niggun of Shoshanas Yaacov and learn with the boys. Bochurim had a lot of fun in the Hotel and made a tremendous Kidush Hashem as they felt at home enough to elevate the icy benches into a Chasidishe Farbrengen. It is a cherished memory that they will keep with them forever.