Programming staff, administrators, teachers, the Parent Council and—most important of all—students participated in making Chanukah week amazing and inspirational at Ma’ayanot. Aliza Adler, Ma’ayanot’s student activities director, planned each day to include multiple activities which combined Torah, fun, ruach, chesed opportunities and delicious Chanukah food! Monday’s festivities began with a dreidel game where each spin invited a Torah thought to discuss, a test of Chanukah literacy, or a question to ponder, and continued with a spirited pep rally highlighting each sports team and featuring a performance by the Ma’ayanot dance team.

Tuesday’s “Glow-giga” lit up Ma’ayanot with spirited music, joyful dancing, divrei Torah and slow shira. The “Ma’ayanotes” student choir also visited Care One to bring Chanukah cheer to the residents there. On Wednesday, Ma’ayanot started the day with a festive Chanukah breakfast designed by the student Holiday Enhancement Committee, and ended it with a mesmerizing hypnotist show. On Thursday Ma’ayanot was privileged to hear divrei chizuk by Rabbi Elliot Schrier of Congregation Bnai Yeshurun, who shared inspirational stories to show that faith is not a demand made of the Jewish people, but rather a gift to us. The festivities culminated in a delicious luncheon sponsored by the Parent Council and the G.O.’s announcement of all the winners of the annual Chanukah teacher auction, where many fun and creative prizes were offered to students.

Over the course of the week, each class also had its own evening party hosted by Ma’ayanot teachers and administrators. Throughout the week, teachers faced off in “Dreidel Madness” with students cheering them on. A daily raffle drawing for generous teen-friendly prizes sponsored by the Ma’ayanot Parent Council, and daily communal candlelighting brought extra ruach to each day. Freshman Efrat Barber said, “Chanukah at Ma’ayanot is so awesome; it’s the funnest thing ever! There’s so much spirit and cheerfulness!”