Bruriah’s highly anticipated annual shabbaton, known in Bruriah as G.O. Shabbos, stands out as the highlight of the year for students and faculty alike. Eagerly anticipated for months, remains a cherished highlight of the Bruriah student experience as students create lasting memories together that they treasure for a lifetime.

This year’s G.O. Shabbos took place on Parshas Terumah at the Sleepy Hollow Hotel in Tarrytown, New York. The entire shabbaton was centered around the theme of “Va’anachnu kamnu vanisodad,” or Raising Our Banner, Raising Ourselves. The students welcomed in Shabbos with an inspiring Kabbalas Shabbos featuring the inaugural Bruriah faculty choir. The Friday night seuda included divrei Torah from freshmen Kayla Speyer and Miri Hersh, floor-stomping ruach, beautiful zemiros and a hilarious G.O. skit. The students then gathered for an incredibly dynamic shiur by world-renowned speaker, Mrs. Toba Shifrin. Her presentation, titled “Fine Wine, Olive Oil, and Am Yisroel: Awful Circumstances, Awesome Results,” blended humor and wisdom to explore communal pathways to personal growth. Following the shiur, the students enjoyed leibidik grade-wide tishes led by their grade advisors.

Shabbos morning included inspiring davening and a thought-provoking drasha by Bruriah’s Halacha Department Chair Rabbi Miodownik who discussed the connection between Britain’s crown jewels, Parshas Terumah and Bruriah’s beloved students. A gala kiddush preceded a variety of sessions led by esteemed faculty members, offering students choice in exploring various topics of personal interest in rising up and actualizing one’s potential. This was followed by the Shabbos afternoon seuda with a dvar Torah from junior Esther Weinstein, more singing and ruach, and a hilarious faculty skit. Shabbos afternoon included an inspiring Mincha Minute by senior Bracha Berlin, a delicious seuda shelishit with sushi bar, and another inspiring session discussing personal challenges with Mrs. Toba Shifrin entitled “Eggs, Carrots, and Coffee Beans: How to Handle Being in Hot Water.” Beloved faculty Mrs. Shuli Fuchs and Mrs. Talia Kronenberg led an inspiring kumzitz followed by Rabbi Kronenberg’s uplifting musical Havdala.

But G.O. Shabbos was far from over when Shabbos ended! The Motzei Shabbos festivities kicked off with Grade Wars, a fierce competition pitting each grade against one another in games such as sitting volleyball, Steal the Salami, and three-legged relay races. With fresh brick-oven pizza and delicious pasta stations, DJ Eli took the stage with pulsating music and energizing dance as the ruach of Bruriah reverberated well into the late hours of the night.

Principal Dr. Bethany Strulowitz said, “G.O. Shabbos is always an incredible highlight of the school year where students and faculty join together outside of the classroom to deepen their meaningful relationships, cultivate school pride, immerse themselves in growth and inspiration, and have a blast while demonstrating that we are always stronger together at Bruriah High School!!”