“Bruriah’s 11th grade Historia trip is something all schools should experience,” Rabbi Paysach Krohn said when he addressed the juniors during their annual Jewish History trip. The two-day trip through New York exposes the students to various Jewish communities and sects of Judaism. An institution at Bruriah for about 50 years, the trip never fails to educate and inspire its students.
The trip began at Satmar Bikur Cholim, where selfless volunteers prepare kosher meals for Jewish people in hospitals, regardless of the patient’s level of observance— and rely solely on donations from the public. Shaina Weinrib commented, “Before this, I had a preconceived notion of chassidim and their traditions. Then I came to Williamsburg… and they are just trying to serve Hashem in the best way possible.”
A highlight of the trip was meeting Rabbi Weber, the founder of Hatzalah. Mimi Rieger commented, “It was so inspiring to see how much of a difference one man can make despite all the obstacles he faced. He had one amazing person, his wife, encourage him to keep doing this and made an organization that saves thousands of lives.”
At the Spanish Portuguese Synagogue on the Upper West Side, students saw how the Sephardic shul adheres to the ancient tradition to inspire its congregants, using traditional dress and conducting services as they did in the American Revolution.
At Stern College for Women, Dr. Smadar Rosensweig discussed “Torah u’Mada,” a core YU principle. In contrast to the lifestyles that close out secular “distractions,” Dr. Rosensweig spoke about elevating the outside world to strengthen our connection to Hashem.
In their visit to New Square, Mrs. Smith presented a mashal to understand the different approaches to Judaism. “Two people headed to the Beit Hamikdash, they took two different routes but both arrived there. Even though they had two separate paths they had the same destination.” In Flatbush, students learned about the Syrian community and their special customs, followed by words from Rabbi Paysach Krohn stressing unity and how we need each and every Jew, which got to the very heart of the trip.
Danielle Goldstein said, “The reason why we are sad during [sefira] is because people didn’t pay attention and take time to understand each other, but this whole trip was to help us do what they didn’t. I now have a much better understanding of other communities and will now be looking at others, and myself, in ways I never thought.”
By Mira Postelnek (‘19)
