What do you get when you combine mishmar with a fun sleepover? Mishmover—of course!—an annual Ma’ayanot tradition that combines Torah learning, ruach, guest speakers and the opportunity to spend an overnight in school with friends. This year’s Mishmover, on Thursday, December 21, brought together 240 students with faculty to explore the theme of “Inside Out.” The program was planned and coordinated by Ora Schrier, director of religious programming, Rabbi Zev Prince, director of co-curricular programming as well as members of TAP, Ma’ayanot’s student-run Torah Activities Programming committee.

“The overarching goal of Mishmover is to have a night focused on learning Torah with different styles and perspectives, while also having fun and bonding with friends,” said Schrier.

Regarding the theme, TAP co-chair Adira Barber (‘19) said, “We came up with the idea of ‘Inside Out’ because we really wanted to give Mishmover a theme that everyone could really relate to. It also allowed our shiurim to be more diverse in the sense that the topics could be about anything from how to portray your inside feelings to outward reflections of tzniut.”

The keynote speaker was Rabbi Ron Yitzchok Eisenman of Congregation Ahavas Torah in Clifton, who spoke on the topic “Allowing the Inside You to Become the Outside You.” Other highlights of the night included a Dvar Torah slam led by Rabbi Dovid Baskevkin, director of education at NCSY; a talk by Devorah Kigel about tzniut and fashion; a panel discussion entitled “Insiders and Outsiders: The Role of a Communal Leader” with community leaders, including Rivka Kahan, Rabbi Jeremy Donath, Dr. Adena Berkowitz, Rabbi Larry Rothwachs and Rabbi Kenny Schiowitz; “Cake Wars” with Yachad members and Sinai students; a teacher-led discussion which explored “Finding Meaning in My Subject;” chaburot led by seniors (with cholent); a film festival that featured the hit movie “Inside Out” and more.

“I think the best part of Mishmover was the opportunity between sessions to talk about what we learned and really delve into topics with both peers and teachers,” said TAP co-chair Emily Grossman (‘18). “The senior-led chaburot were also a great opportunity for seniors to take leadership roles.”

The morning after Mishmover was back to class as usual, perhaps a bit more sleepy but enriched by all-night learning with friends.