Tzfas School Ends Exciting Month

By Beis Chana-Naale Bnos HaShluchim of Tzfas

Beis Chana-Naale Bnos HaShluchim of Tzfas welcomed back our fabulous high school returnees from last year, and we also have our biggest group of newbies (20!) this year bringing our total to forty girls, kein yirbu.

To date, we’ve had students from the US, England, Canada, Russia, Ukraine, France, China, South Africa, and Australia. B”H, now we can add Ireland, Japan and Mexico to our roll call. As they say, variety is the spice of life – but most amazing is that all these international spices blend into one delicious recipe together in Beis Chana.

Our group of seasoned seniors welcomed everyone with a song whose lyrics described the gains, privileges and challenges of studying so far from home. With Tishrei falling ‘early’ this year, classes barely began, and we were already prepping for the New Year.

Before Rosh Hashana, the Beis Chana-Naale group went for a Slichos nighttime tour of Old City Tzfas, breathing in the ancient kedusha that permeates the shuls and pathways of this scenic city. Erev Yom Kippur was spent davening at nearby KivreTzaddikim and viewing a captivating slideshow presented by Rabbi M. Mintzberg teaching the Rebbe’s lessons for maximizing Yom Kippur.

Erev Sukkos activities included jeep-ing around the Galilee, a BBQ in the Yesod HaMa’ala Yishuv, and a niggun filled kumzitz. Chani Liebersohn (Mexico) made a creative game to help us feel a real sense of achdus, and Chani Weber (Huntingdon Valley, PA) taught us a catchy song that has been totally contagious since then. Pre-Sukkos Shabbos was spent together back in the Tzfas dorm with everyone having an opportunity to get to know one another even more and make our Beis Chana-Naale family feel that much closer.

Chol HaMoed Sukkos included one of our several exclusive out of town trips that highlight every year in the Beis Chana-Naale program. Madrichot on the trip were our Beis Chana-Naale alumnus, Rivka Kurtzweil (shlucha daughter from the FSU), and Tzfas’s own Rivkale Asulin. Our group met up in our hotel in Yerushalayim after which we set out for pizza in Geula, followed by a tour of the Gush Katif Museum. Even though this Museum has a sad tone to it, it really brought to the fore the Ahavas Yisroel we have for all the Jewish people and our Ahavas Eretz Yisroel.

Following a yummy dinner back at the hotel, we participated in the Chabad organized Ben Yehuda St. Simchas Beis HaShoeva dancing – WOW! What real joy in the streets of Yerushalayim! All the girls were bursting with energy, so we went to the Ohr Chaya Campus not far away and formed our own happy dance circles along with the Ohr Chaya students (Ma & Ta, you should be so proud of us!) After that we farbrenged into the wee hours of the night till we crashed to sleep – must be able to function the next day…

Early Tuesday morning, we woke up for a brisk walk to the Kosel, giving out Shabbos candles all along the way for mivtzoyim. At the Kosel, we had plenty of time to daven, take group photos, and soak in the spirituality. After this, we had a tour of the Kosel tunnels thanks to a fascinating guide who, as a bonus, shared his own personal encounters with Lubavitch. We picked up goodies at ‘Holy Bagels’ in the Old City and marched our way to ‘Ir David’ to enjoy this American style picnic lunch and chill out until our next tour began. Flashlights were the only ‘equipment’ we were allowed to carry for the hour and a half tour (no photos, this time), so everyone would be able to truly absorb our nation’s history within the archeological site. At the end of the tour we entered Chizkiyahu’s cave that includes a frigid wade through knee-high water. As cold as we were, we kept our hearts warm with niggunim and talking about Zman Simchaseinu.

After a speedy supper back in the hotel, we drove off to 770 located in Ramat Shlomo for another Simchas Beis HaShoeva celebration – yet another amazing few hours of dancing and happiness! After a well deserved night of rest, we each set off for the last days of Yom Tov by friends and family all over the country.

We can’t wait to experience even more fantastic trips and activities as the year goes by surrounded by a special group of friends and staff who give us their all!