By Chaya
I spent this past year in Seminary Alef of Beis Rivka. My decision to stay in New York was not easy but in the end it was the best decision I have ever made. I have never had such a good experience in a school setting, ever.
I went to Bais Rivkah High School and I was nervous that I would feel like it was just another year of high school but it was a totally new atmosphere.
The Seminary was small and every teacher was personally interested in our growth. The atmosphere was very warm and chilled! No one was judgmental and the hanhala did a very good job at making me feel comfortable to suggest or express my feelings about different things. The learning was purely up to me, I wasn’t forced to be in classes although there were perks. We were treated like adults and were allowed to make our own choices and that was a real breathe of fresh air. I felt like subjects I learned in high school were brought about in a whole new light and I soaked everything up like a sponge in water.
I enjoyed making my own decisions pertaining to my learning and through that it made me want to succeed more. Naturally, being in Crown Heights we were offered the best teachers and the guest speakers were always top notch. I really enjoyed how each subject that we learned was relevant to our upcoming lives whether being on the topic of being mother or shluchos and being able to discuss our views on yidishkeit as a Lubavitcher. Many of our classes were discussion based so we were able to hear other’s views on topics and give over our opinions. We also had night classes which I loved, I never felt like it was a drag to go out at night to make class because the classes were so interesting and I gained so much from them.
Something that I feel was a big pro was that although school was a full day program I still felt like I could get things done throughout the day. It was a bridge between still being in the security of being taught in a school and not having to fend for myself yet still being on my own because I was learning how to live on my own and figuring out my own choices. In high school I was never a high achiever but I feel that by being in a classes that made me think and nothing was spoon fed to me I really wanted to prove to myself that I could be serious about my achievements.
I was also very impressed with the Teacher Training Program. Every week we had multiple classes on either psychology or effective ways of teaching children in a school setting or as a tutor. Being a teacher now I am introducing many of the teaching tips in my own classroom and the ideas that I learned are actually becoming useful and helping me run an organized and smooth classroom.
I loved the Shabbatons! The best farbregners were brought down and the whole Shabbos was full of nonstop inspiration. Although ruchnious is very important they also focused making the shabbatons as enjoyable as possible. Most shabbatons took place in hotels and the scene of 40-80 Lubavitch girls together was such a Kiddush Hashem. It’s such a special feeling to know that you represent something and someone. I remember one of the few times we stayed in a Chabad House we joined the community for Kiddush and one of the women stood up to speak and to the whole room she said that we looked like princesses. It was a real wake up call, I was reminded that to the world we are special and our job was to prove them right.
For out of towners coming to Crown Heights for the year is extraordinary because everything is revolved around farbrangens in people’s homes and being in 770 which is different and inspiring. Being in Crown Heights in general is a big strong point to the Seminary because I was literally in the middle of everything going on. Every Chassidishe Yomtov could be felt in the air and awesome moments like when the whole Crown Heights gathered together in 770 on Gimmel Tamuz or by the Lag Baomer Parade. There is just a feeling of unity that cannot be experienced through videos or pictures. It is very hard to connect in these days yet I really felt like I was with The Rebbe throughout the whole journey.
I can’t thank Beis Rivka Seminary enough for how much I gained throughout the whole year. I remember telling seniors in high school that they should forget about going out of the country because there was a program right under their noses and the should take advantage of the opportunity. I owe so much to my teachers in seminary that made the learning an experience that I will never forget!
I went to Beis Rivkah Seminary “by default” as I did not have the money to go to Eretz Yisroel…but it was clearly Hashgocha Protis, and an experience I still draw on 25 years later. My deepest Hakoras HaTov to Morah Kahan, Morah Gorowitz, Mrs. Groner, Rabbi Zeligson and Rabbi Altein, L’Orech Yomim V’Shonim Tovos. I hope that I bring Nachas to them and to the Mechanchim/os who are in Ginzei Meromim. It wasn’t just the teachers, though…I found some of my best role models in the Sem Beis girls, who would farbreng with us in the dorm. I remember… Read more »
Thank you for a powerful article. It is heartwarming to see a young girl express hakoras hatov in such an eloquent and honest way. .The best part of the article is that Chaya says she really did not want to go to Bais Rivkah Sem to begin with and yet it was the best year of her schooling. I want to thank the entire Hanhola of Bais Rivkah for all they do for our girls. A personal thank you to Morah Chana Gorowitz whose life has been Bais Rivkah Seminary for more years than I know. I called Morah Chana… Read more »
nice to read so many articles of appreciation.. Let’s keep this sort of stuff going!
I just read the article of the Breslov Rav coming to the Ohel to thank the Rebbe.. This is what it is all about..
Hakaros Hatov is what will bring Moshiach..
Giving thanks is terribly important!
It is a positive gesture with ripple effects!
You could call the office at 718 734 0400 EXT 1129 or email us at Seminary@Alte Raskin.edu for details.
The seminary sounds great!
Is there a website to find out more about the seminary?
Tuition, dorms, example schedule etc…?
i went there last year and i loved it!!! thank you bais rivka!
Well said! I too was in BR Sem in 77 & 78…. & remember all those Teachers……(.&.Mrs Goldberg)
for us in towners that r schooling in crown heights since we were in kindergarten it may be good to go out of America for Sem.
BS”D # 13 I believe that you misunderstood my comment, which was merely answering #3 who made the gallivanting allegation. My sentiments are as yours which should have been understood as I clearly wrote after the allegation-” this has not been the case as I have have observed it”.
The BEST seminary in the all world!!!
The BEST teacher The BEST hanhalla The BEST family!
No words to describe what was this seminary exprience for me and for so many of my friends
I love my year in br! Best envirement and best teachers!
#7 girls do NOT just walk around freely in the seminaries in Israel. Girls deserve a year to go out of country and see eretz yisorel! They are in seminary so they don’t just walk around israel yet they can enjoy within the boundaries of the sem! Crown heights is still a great option and should be seen as a higher seminary than its said to be!
Two years in Beis Rivkah sem and everything written in this article is absolutely true! I didn’t think so going in, but looking back I never would have chosen to go anywhere else! The learning is top-notch, the hanhala is amazing and the atmosphere is so positive!
Thanks DHL!
Does anyone know how the tuition compares to those in an Israeli sem? With dorm?
Loved sem alef! Beat teachere ever!!!
Finally the long overdue recognition to a cherished Teacher’s Seminary and devoted staff! I never understood the “mass exodus” of students from an institution operating with the greatest adherence and loyalty to the Rebbe’s directives, guidance, and blessings throughout the years…. How can we ever forget as students of Bais Rivka Sem. in the 70’s, the devoted teachers who exemplified true education, tznius, Torah and chassidus? Our soft spoken Morah Heller A”H, who was the epitome of refinement and royalty, Morah Zelda Nemes A”H – whose generous spirit, energy, and idealism were evident week after week in every single class… Read more »
As another bais rivkah sem Alef alumni I can say it is all that plus more!!
BS”D I wholeheartedly appreciate this article as well as the comments. I do question that part of one comment which states- Galavant around Eretz Yisrael-this has not been the case as I have have observed it. There are mylas to both learning here and to learning away from the distractions of CH (this latter sentiment was expressed by the Rebbe re Bochorim). But there is no debate about the fine quality of a Beth Rivka seminary education and experience.Wishing the writer and her entire class well and only Hattzlacha Raba and Besoras Tovas B’ Gashmius v Ruchnius in all of… Read more »
I went to Bais Rivkah sem Baruch HaShem and I’m so proud to have gone. The learning is very practical and we had great teachers!! And the principals are so kind and caring, they respect you and not jugde you for who you are or what you are wearing! They are the best!
I would love for my sons or daughters to go and learn in Crown Heights as I did 20 some odd years ago. But for some reason it is at the bottom of there list. How many of us send our kids half way around the world to learn, even though we have such precious resources available close to home.
I love Beis Rivka sem! I didn’t go there personally, but I always say that if I could do it all over again I would go there for Sem alef and beis!!!
What a refreshing and honest article. I think it is time to make a major move to encourage our daughters to stay in Crown Heights for Seminary. Parents are under extremely strong pressure to come up with 20K to pay for their children to have an “enjoyable” year of touring Eretz Yisrael. Where is it Chassidish for girls at 18 years old to Galavant around Eretz Yisrael having the freedom to go and do what they desire to do. A supervised 2 week trip is exactly what our daughters can benefit from at this point in their lives. Intelligent and… Read more »
I second the sentiments expressed in this article. BR was a great experience for me.
With all of the damaging articles about various issues in the shchuneh, it was so inspiring to read this article. Crown Heights indeed has some of the best minds in Chabad to give amazing shiurim. Sometimes, we have to just look in our own backyard and appreciate that 20 years after gimmel tammuz, there are aspects about CH for which the Rebbe has tremendous nachas.