MTA’s incredible variety of extra learning programs provide talmidim with the opportunity to enhance their Torah learning throughout the day. These initiatives include an Iyun T’filah Chaburah every morning before davening, where talmidim explore topics related to davening; a daily Mishnah Chaburah, where they gain a better understanding of Maseches P’sachim; a weekly Y Club, where talmidim ask their burning questions about Judaism to their rebbeim; Night Seder four nights a week, where they learn with MTA rebbeim, as well as Yeshiva University rebbeim and talmidim; and so much more.

While Sukkos may have looked different this year than it has in previous years, MTA infused Yom Tov with its signature inspiration, energy, and achdus through special MTA@Home Sukkos programming. These programs included guidelines, helpful tips, and a list of Sukkos songs to make Yom Tov meaningful for those who were unable to attend shul in person and help deepen their connection to Hashem while at home; MTA@Home Indoor Olympics, where talmidim completed fun and exciting challenges and were able to compete with one another from the comfort of their own homes; and a Tikkun Leil Hoshana Rabbah learning program in the yeshivah’s virtual Zoom Beis Midrash, which featured inspiring and engaging shiurim with MTA rebbeim, and an interactive shiur with the Menahel of Yeshivat Shaarei Mevaseret Zion and the NCSY Kollel, Rabbi Mordechai Burg.

In preparation for their bar mitzvah and bas mitzvah season, sixth and seventh grade students at HALB participated in a sensitivity and inclusion training workshop facilitated by Mrs. Carly Namdar, Director of Middle School Guidance, Morah Michelle Farbman, and Rabbi Jeremy Fine, Directors of Student Life. Students shared ideas on various topics centered around their hopes and expectations for their bar mitzvahs and bas mitzvahs, as they were asked to consider how they would want others to act at their own simchah and how they should conduct themselves at another person’s simchah.

On Thursday, October 22, IVDU Long Island had the privilege of bringing in a petting zoo for the students, helping to bring Parshas Noach to life in a COVID-friendly way! The students had the opportunity to feed the animals, with the goats and sheep licking their hands to eat the food. They were allowed to pet and hold the bunnies, enjoying the sensory experience while having fun coming up with names for the animals. The students were so excited to be able to experience this right in the comfort of their school yard. At IVDU Long Island, learning is interactive and incorporates an abundance of multi-sensory activities to maximize student engagement.