After a year and a half of weekly Lev HaShavua sessions, which are the heart of religious growth at Ma’ayanot, students are comfortable discussing aspirations in Torah, tefillah, added closeness to Hashem, and enhancing their relationships with family and friends. Lev HaShavua, facilitated by limudei kodesh teachers, has a structured framework, which creates a safe space for student self-expression. It begins with a bracha rishona, in which each student speaks briefly, continues with a parnasit, highlighting one student each week, and a limud, which brings the interpersonal connection into the realm of God-connection. The mix of the collective and individual, the interpersonal and the spiritual, has impacted school culture across the board.
Ma’ayanot also shares the magic of Lev HaShavua by running full-faculty Lev HaShavua sessions during professional development days, and hosting an annual event in which parents experience a Lev HaShavua session together with their daughters. This year, our family Lev HaShavua evening drew over 130 students and parents.
On February 4-5, Ma’ayanot faculty participated in the Lifnai VeLifnim Conference, in which Rabbis Dov and Yishai Singer of Yeshivat Makor Chaim, creators of the program, shared guidance with all participating schools. As pioneer innovators of the program in the U.S., Ma’ayanot faculty members Bailey Braun, Rav Yehuda Chanales and Rav Jay Goldmintz presented at the conference, and Ma’ayanot students demonstrated the program for educators around the country.
Students attest to the beauty and success of Lev HaShavua. Sophomore Michal Jutkowitz said, “I look forward to it each week; it’s a really special opportunity to get closer with my classmates.” Junior Tiferet Ross noted, “Lev Hashavua has taught me so many skills in listening and empathy. I’ve learned how to make deeper connections with those around me and learned so much about them.” Junior Miri Rubinstein added, “A second year has brought my class even closer. Everyone is more comfortable opening up because from our experience last year, we know that our classmates are empathetic and here to support us.”
