RKYHS juniors and seniors headed out last weekend for a memorable shabbaton together with their classmates and faculty. Before heading out, students had a pre-shabbaton beit midrash with Rabbi Proops, rabbi of Suburban Torah in Livingston, and gathered to kick off a bonding Shabbat with by filling out “Shabbat-O-Grams” for classmates. After packing lunches it was time to head out. Some pre-Shabbat snacks in advance of a unifying Kabbalat Shabbat started off Shabbat. After a delicious Shabbat dinner, students enjoyed a round-robin learning program where they heard from different faculty members and students on the topic of “Stronger Together: Finding a Community.” Afterwards, each grade came together for their own grade games and grade bonding. All the grades then joined in spirit and song afterwards for an RKYHS school-wide tish. To keep the night going there were opportunities for “shabbaton social” which included chess and board games and additional shabbaton shiurim. A Q&A with faculty members rounded out the Friday night activities.

After a meaningful Shabbat morning davening, a plentiful kiddush and learning sessions on the topic of “Mah Rabu Maasecha Hashem—Creating a Community” the students gathered for lunch and shabbaton shiurim on topics such as “Civil Law vs Jewish Law,” “Life Hacks” and a Q&A about the matzav in Israel with Dr Ronen Shoval who is back in New Jersey temporarily from Israel. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and bonding with friends and classmates, and taking part in programs organized by the RKYHS Jewish Life Committee. At seuda shelishit, the entire school came together to sing and relish the last moments of Shabbat followed by a Kushner kumzitz. As Shabbat drew to a close, everyone joined as one for an incredibly moving Havdala followed by spirited dancing and singing. Accompanied by staff members on musical instruments. The entire Shabbat was elevated by the work of the student-led Jewish Life Committee.