Photos: Chanie Shear
“What you girls are doing is a real, living legacy. You’re changing the world!” Morah Shaindel Teichtel announced, amid loud applause, at the third Chavi’s Club Award Ceremony on Monday night.
Fifty nine ninth grade girls from Bais Rivkah in Crown Heights took part in the Ahavas Yisroel program, created by Leah and Sara Shear, and run together with Geula Katzman, under the supervision of Mrs. Sara Blau.
A mouthwatering assortment of fruit and grilled vegetable platters, cakes and personalized cookies greeted the girls and their mothers as they arrived in the Levi Yitzchak Library. They then sat back and enjoyed a stunning concert by highly acclaimed singer, Esther Freeman, accompanied by Laura Melnicoff on the cello. Overcome by the beauty of the program, Esther later wrote, “Last night’s concert was out of this world powerful. At the end of the night, I felt as if all my tears as a child being bullied came together to form something powerful enough to inspire others.”
The girls were awarded bronze, silver and gold certificates, based on the amount of months of the program they’d managed to pass. Congratulations to Moussie Berkowitz, Niome Biston, Doba Brikman, Zeldy Eichorn, Sara Geisinsky, Sarah Rivka Grape, Chany Halon, Perel Heber, Chana Kasofsky, Mussia Kuravsky, Raizel Lazeroff, Bina Liba Levy Chaim, Chaya Sara Marasow, Itty Meijers, Maytal Meltsin, Tonia Minkowicz, Mussy Nemenov, Menucha Oster, Gitty Raksin, Chana Rapoport, Chana Reiter, Chanie Schmerling, Leah Schmerling, Shaina Schmukler, Sara’le Spalter, Chana Wolvovsky and Gisa Zakon upon completing all three months of Chavi’s Club and receiving the gold award.
A few of the girls who completed Chavi’s Club were chosen to speak about their experiences and how they felt it had affected them.
“Before Chavi’s Club, I did not make a conscious effort to reach out to others, it was much easier for me to stay in my comfort zone and interact mainly with my friends. Doing this program has made me realize how many opportunities I have daily to help others and has led to many new, long-lasting friendships,” Chaya Sara Marasow said.
“Girls now automatically look out for someone they ordinarily wouldn’t have sat with during lunch, or to include in the conversation, and that is something that I think is truly amazing!” added Menucha Oster.
Moussie Berkowitz concluded, “Even the ‘quietest’ girl in your class can have so much in common with you. Just going over and saying ‘hi’ can really make anyone’s day. Thank you Chavi’s Club for affecting all of us in such a positive way.”
The Neshama of Chava Faiga Leah bas Elimelech HaLevi A”H should have an aliyah.
we had this in lsgs!
it was really special!!
thank you mrs shear for organising it!
i spy Geulah Katsman!!!
we had this program here in london and it was rly something special! Leah shear works so hard (and Sara!) she deserves a a HUGE thank you for this amazing much needed program!
This is incredibly beautiful! Thank You Leah Shear for bringing this wonderful opportunity to our girls. Remembering Chavie Friedberg, makes me cry, about a life cut short so young. You are keeping her memory alive, and those who knew her are so appreciative. May Chavie’s neshama have an aliya. May you be zoche to arichas yomim, and your children be happy for the rest of their lives.
If anyone wants to make a donation to Chavi’s Club, please write a check to Lubavitch Youth Organization c/o Chavi’s Club 770 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn NY 11213
This is the Mitzvah that will bring Moshiach! And remember the girls you are befriending have many virtues that you can learn and benefit from. Your friendship should be real. not with the attitude that you’re doing them a favor.
Sara’s a beautiful girl both inside and out 🙂
Why doesn’t every school have this?!?!
These pictures are awesome!!
This program can really make a real difference in people’s lives for the better for everyone involved. How can I donate money to this incredible cause? Can a link please be posted?
This is the real thing! This is what Hashem really cares about. Good job Shear family for spearheading this initiative and to whoever else is involved!
Other schools in the neighborhood need something like this. Hopefully it can lesson the effect of labeling and cliques.
so glad my daugjter is part of this wonderful sxhool. kol hakavod to the intiaters
You look beautiful!!!!
I didn’t know the original Chavi personally but remember seeing her around on Kingston. This is such a beautiful program and clearly is having amazing results. Wish they’d had it when I was in high school out-of-town. Let it be the last straw to bring Moshiach.
Bh I was blessed to have attended this inspiring and meaningful event! Thank you Leah for helping raise awareness in our community and promoting inclusiveness for all!
-Devorah L
We’re so proud of you Sara. Continue doing great things.
Go Sarale!You sang beautifully!Love ,your fan club
I miss you so much Sara! Come back to camp this summer k?
Leah and Sara are such an amazing team!
There’s seriously no one more amazing than Sara!! So proud to call myself your friend xx