The feeling last Motzei Shabbos at Heichal Hatorah’s Prospective Talmidim Melava Malka was electric. The experience of over 100 of the current Heichal talmidim combined with 50 rebbeim, faculty and administrators learning, working and having a great time with over 150 prospective talmidim was out of this world. The prospective students were greeted with warmth and excitement (and delicious Chickie’s) to start the evening. They heard Heichal’s mission from Rosh Yeshiva Rav Aryeh Stechler, followed by an introduction to Heichal’s exceptional Torah learning program from veteran mechaneich Rav Avi Oberlander, Heichal’s principal of Judaic studies. The prospective talmidim were paired up with a current talmid for a chaburah in the bais medrash. Then eight of Heichal’s 20 rebbeim gave shiurim simultaneously in the bais medrash using silent DJ technology.
The prospective talmidim then moved into the ballroom where they heard from Rabbi Macabbee Avishur, academic dean and general studies principal, who introduced students to Heichal’s stellar general studies program. Students heard engaging presentations from Deniera Goldenberg, chairperson of the science department; Esther Herzfeld, chairperson of the English department; Rabbi Dr. Mitchel Rocklin, founder of the Tikvah Humanities Curriculum at Heichal, a demonstration by Teach NJ Professor Galigan on computer sciences and Heichal’s applied science track, and Mr. Pitre about the math lab.
Before the event, the talmidim were able to choose which extracurricular track they wanted to experience and learn more about. These included a sports track (3×3 basketball tournament), a game-on track (ping-pong and chess tournament in the Fried Student Lounge), a warrior track (strength and conditioning, personal training and swimming in Heichal workout gym and Olympic sized pool) and a creator track (3D printing, modeling DNA, DNA extraction and PH testing lab, Tesla coil & gravity chamber in the Heichal science lab).
The night ended with an amazing dessert—ice cream, hot pretzels, candy, cotton candy and more!
