Philly Boys Show Unity for Friends

On Wednesday, Chof Bais Cheshvan, the boys division of Cheder Chabad of Philadelphia was treated to a surprise Hakhel event.

The planning that went into making sure this event was such a success was all done by… the students!

Yes, from start to finish, without any staff assistance, the 7th grade boys put together an exciting program for everyone to enjoy.

When grades 2-6 and their teachers walked into the beautifully decorated room, they were greeted happily by the 7th graders who made sure there was a nice niggunim soundtrack playing in the background.

The boys fundraised by themselves and Yossi Sherman made the arrangements with the pizza shop to be able to provide a pizza party in honor of the special day.

After lunch, all of the students received a copy of The Rebbe’s letter about Hakhel which Leibel Kahan then read and explained. This was followed by the recitation of tehillim led by Yanke’le Strasberg. Eli Goldman said a Dvar Torah and Tzedaka was passed around so that everyone could participate in the mitzvah together.

The highlight of the program was the exciting question and answer Hakhel game show put together by Leibel Kahan with all technological details of the day taken care of by Srulik Lowenstein. The students were divided into teams and each team sent up representatives to answer a question on the screen. Even though they were split into teams, there was so much achdus in the room, that it didn’t matter who was winning. By the end of the program, as one 4th grader said, “we all got to bentch together nicely” and that feeling of unity was what the Hakhel gathering was all about.

Meanwhile, the girl’s division was not forgotten about. The next day, on Thursday, Chof Gimmel Cheshvan, the girl’s and junior division of Cheder had their own inspiring Hakhel program.

The 7th grade girls had a big part in making the event so special. Ella Erlbaum and Rosie Baram led the school in reciting tehillim and Shani Weber shared a Dvar Torah with everyone. Tzedakah was given out and the students got to listen to an amazing story told by teacher Mrs. Moscowitz.

Definitely the focal point of the girl’s event, was that teacher Rochel Ehrentrau brought out her guitar and led the students and teachers in singing nigunim and songs. Her spectacular guitar playing really enthused the room with warmth and Achdus. Overheard was a staff member saying, “ the day was just so special. So beautiful! We should do it again.” That sentiment was certainly echoed by the classes who shared in the experience.

For information or to contact Cheder Chabad of Philadelphia please visit their website at chederphiladelphia.org or call 610-520-1480.