This past Shabbos, MTA’s Class of 2028, along with their senior Cubs2Lions mentors came together to bond on a special shabbaton. The talmidim boarded the buses for Camp Nageela after their regular Thursday night mishmar, and after a quick surprise stop for bowling, arrived just in time for a delicious midnight barbecue. After receiving their room assignments, the talmidim enjoyed ping pong, nine square and, of course, the open beis medrash until curfew.
On Friday, after a beautiful Rosh Chodesh davening and deluxe breakfast, the freshmen enjoyed concentric chaburas with the seniors. Each senior prepared a 90 second dvar Torah on the parsha—the room reverberated with words of Torah and companionship as the mentors rotated from group to group.
As it was Parshas Noach, it seemed fitting to have a teva challenge! Groups of freshmen, teamed with their senior mentors were tasked with building a teva out of cardboard and duct tape, with the goal being to float across the pool with a talmid on it! The teams worked together to plan and build their crafts—while competing in quick team building activities in order to win extra duct tape for their teva. In the end, most of the cardboard tevas met a soggy finish—but two groups managed to build a teva that made it across the pool!
The unseasonably warm weather enhanced the sports and recreation that took place on the grounds of Camp Nageela. Softball, football, basketball, tetherball, tennis and hiking were enjoyed by the talmidim, rebbeim and administrators. Then the boys headed to their rooms to prepare for Shabbos.
Shabbos itself was jam packed. Filled with inspiring tefillah, delicious seudas, uplifting zemiros and divrei Torah from rebbeim and talmidim. The tish was a highlight for many—as the grade joined together along a table packed with candy, fruit, cake and cholent for divrei chizuk and spirited singing.The beis medrash was hopping throughout Shabbos as the talmidim tried to complete their first MTA360—a learning incentive program that challenges each talmid to learn for 360 minutes over the course of shabbatons or extended breaks from yeshiva. There was also time for board games, ping pong, mini hockey and of course well deserved menucha.
The shabbaton concluded with a melave malka that led to singing and dancing. It was an amazing Shabbos that really helped the freshmen bond as a grade. The boys boarded the buses home with smiles on their faces, reflecting on the new friendships made and memories that will iy”H fuel four years of growth ahead. As MTA begins its winter zman, the freshmen have a renewed sense of belonging at yeshiva and are ready to learn with increased zeal.
