|
Dear Yeud parents,
B"H the first week of the semester went well. The ladies are adapting to the hectic rate of classes and activities – daily from 9:00am to 9:30pm! They are starting to make new friendships. It's lovely to see so many smiling faces in the beit midrash, hallways and classes.
Yesterday we visited an Oasis in the desert (pic attached), then spent the afternoon learning and had an outdoor BBQ [Braai] dinner (pic on our web site). Today we experienced a solid morning of classes, then embarked on a short trip to the Old City which combined a visit to the Temple Institute and some free time to explore and shop. Now the group is in class again – and the week will conclude with an aerobics class.
Tomorrow we B"H usher in our first group Shabbat. Spirits are high with anticipation of a group-bonding spiritual experience, ending with the late-night selichot lead by the artist Naftali Abramson who will perform with his guitar and tell stories to "warm up the air". Will tell you more about this on Sunday.
On Monday our new students will go to their Sherut Leumi workplaces of choice, their first step this year in our plan of Tikkun Olam – making the world a better place, and transforming themselves, during this process, into even better people. Their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem can really use their help and talents.
Shabbat Shalom and Shana Tova,
Rav Hillel |
|
|
Dear Yeud parents,
This morning at 5:00am EL AL flight 004 from JFK landed in Tel Aviv and 15 jetlagged north-American young ladies stepped off. They were joined a bit later by their peers from Holland, England, South Africa and Australia as they began their year-long journey in Israel.
After a brief visit at the Kotel – during which they asked HaShem to help them achieve their goals for the year – the group reached Midreshet Yeud. Their photos were taken (for our ID cards), they were given keys to their rooms and received their cell phones. After freshening up, settling down and unpacking some, they were given a tour of the building and then lunch. Later in the day they were officially welcomed by Rav Yaacov Shapira, the founding head of Midreshet Yeud, by Rav David Abrahamowitz, our Mashgiach Ruchani, by his wife Aliza – our Dorm Mother and by Mr. Shmil Atlas, our executive director. At that point we realized the girls were falling asleep right in front of our eyes, having been deprived of sleep for so long. We decided to call it a day and offered an optional walk around the block for those who were not jetlagged.
We hope to continue tomorrow, after a good night of sleep [we begin at 9:45am].
You can see more on our website at http://www.midreshet-yeud.org.il/eng/index.php?option=com_expose&Itemid=31 - we hope to update the pictures regularly – and to let you know via our twitter account [to sign up: http://twitter.com/yeud].
Wishing you only the best from Jerusalem,
Rav Hillel |
|
Dear Yeud parents,
As some of your daughters are currently en route to Israel for the year [some have landed several days ago], I wish to send you a quick note saying we are ready for them – and very excited too! Every year Chodesh Elul brings in its wings a new promise, and we pray to HaShem that this year will even surpass the past years' success stories, both on an individual and on a group level.
Our office will B"H email you a note once we know the students have arrived safely (and with their luggage, I hope) in the morning. They are scheduled to receive their cell phones around 10:00am Monday morning Israel time. I'm sure you will be hearing from them shortly after.
Attached please find this week's schedule. More updates will follow shortly.
Shana tova for now,
Rav Hillel |
|
|
|
|
|
