Ma’ayanot students enjoyed Mishmover, one of most anticipated events of the school year, on Thursday night March 31. Mishmover, a portmanteau of “mishmar” and “sleepover,” is a chance for students to learn Torah until late into the night and sleep over in the school building. Ora Schrier, director of Torah Programming, meticulously coordinated the program with the theme “Torah: Learn it. Love it. Live it.” Before and after the delicious dinner sponsored by EJ’s, students chose among 18 learning opportunities, including teacher shiurim and panels, chaburot by alumnae and current seniors, and shiurim by Ma’ayanot parents Nechama Price, director of YU’s Graduate Program in Advanced Talmud Study and Rabbi Chaim Strauchler of Rinat, as well as by Rabbi Aryeh Weilgus, regional director of New Jersey NCSY. Rabbi Chaim Marcus of Congregation Israel of Springfield delivered the keynote address, focusing on Hashem’s love for the Jewish people as manifested through the Torah. Experiential learning opportunities included “growing together” with Yachad members and Sinai students, and matzah baking with the Matzah Factory. This year Mishmover featured a new opportunity, a 5:45 a.m. bus ride to daven vatikin on the banks of the Hudson. “It was beautiful and peaceful and so special to see the clouds part and the sun rise over the river just as we started davening,” said sophomores Meital Rimberg, Talia Wallach and Shani Machlis.

Freshman Nava Sommer praised Mishmover as “an inspirational time to bond with friends and get to know many classmates better.” Freshman Eliora Roth added that the more relaxed atmosphere of an overnight helped students see new sides to each other. Senior Maayan Berkowitz summed up Mishmover as “an amazing opportunity to stay in school and learn in our Torah atmosphere. It reinforced Ma’ayanot’s value of talmud Torah and gave students a chance to bond with each other and with teachers!”