It’s that time again! Every fall semester at Yeshiva University High School for Girls (Central) brings one of the year’s most anticipated events, a hallmark of the YUHSG experience that alumnae often recall as one of the most formative experiences of their four years as Wildcats: the schoolwide Shabbaton, which was held at the Camelback Resort in Tannersville, Pennsylvania, on Friday, November 6, and Saturday, November 7.
As always, the theme of Shabbaton 5787 was closely tied to the theme of the YUHSG school year. “As the school year’s theme is Living With Gratitude, this Shabbaton’s theme is Modim Anachnu Lach and will focus on gratitude to Hashem,” said YUHSG’s Director of Religious & Israel Guidance and Judaic Studies faculty member, Mrs. Yael Axelrod, who coordinated this year’s event with student leaders from YUHSG’s G.O. “Our sessions will center around all the amazing things Hashem does for us each and every day and the appreciation we can feel in response.”
Buses left the Holliswood campus early Friday morning, bound for the Camelback Adventure Park. After an afternoon exploring the park, the school gathered at the hotel for photos, candle-lighting, Minchah, Kabbalas Shabbos, and Maariv, with a welcome from G.O. Co-President, senior Jamie Blass. Student divrei Torah followed seudas Shabbos. The night included time-honored Shabbaton highlights, including the highly anticipated annual Shabbaton faculty skit, a senior panel, and a senior-penned Shabbaton theme song. “Shabbaton provides experiential learning in a relaxed environment. It’s pressure-free, fun, and a really beautiful way to spend Shabbos together,” Mrs. Axelrod continued.
Shabbos day offered a more leisurely pace with lunch and learning sessions. “One of the highlights of Shabbaton is the ‘Choose Your Own Schmooze’ session, where students spend time in small groups with teachers as they discuss their personal thanks to Hashem,” she said. “Some of this year’s schmoozes included ‘Thank You, Hashem, for Orthodontists’ and ‘Thank You, Hashem, for Bringing Me Back to Central.’” As always, sessions offered food for thought and new opportunities for bonding. There was also a Shabbos party hosted by the Central G.O. and Seudah Sh’lishis, which included closing words from G.O. Co-President Shira Peskin. Melaveh Malkah brought a silent DJ, snacks, and time at Camelback’s waterpark. Two days: a perfect balance of fun, learning, and discovering new friendships while reinvigorating old ones.
There’s more to come in November, as the month brings Student-Teacher Conferences as well as Parent-Teacher Conferences. Other events on the calendar include the annual Freshman Family Panoply on Saturday, November 14, and the West Hempstead Community Shabbos on Friday and Saturday, November 20 and 21.