On Friday morning, November 1, MTA sophomores, juniors and seniors headed to the Mountain Laurel Resort for what would be an unforgettable shabbaton. Talmidim enjoyed a variety of activities on Friday afternoon, including mini golf, archery, games, swimming, hiking and football. Many talmidim also participated in an optional pre-Shabbat learning seder to set the tone for a meaningful Shabbat. The festivities began with a lively Carlebach-style Kabbalat Shabbat, led by Rabbi Axelrod, followed by a delicious seuda, complete with inspiring divrei Torah and zemirot. Afterwards, each shiur broke out into groups, in which talmidim and rebbeim had the opportunity to share words of Torah and spend time together. The evening closed with an energetic tish, which included a story from Rabbi Mendelson, learning a new song with Rabbi Taubes and a Q&A session with Rabbi Taubes and Rabbi Schiller, where talmidim asked thoughtful questions on various topics related to Judaism.

Shabbat morning began with a student-run Shacharit minyan, led by baalei tefillah Donny Morris, Moshe Loew, and Akiva Warburg; and baalei keriah Peretz Levin, Emmet Weisz, Michael Wein and Rabbi Gopin. After davening, everyone enjoyed another amazing seuda, fun activities led by alumni, rebbeim and faculty, and a learning seder with Yeshiva Fellowship rebbeim and talmidim. Shabbat closed with seuda shelishit, featuring a kumzitz with Rabbi Schenker, Maariv and an emotional Havdala with Rabbi Axelrod.

The action continued after Shabbat with an exciting trip to H2ooooooh! water park and the fun didn’t end there! After returning to the hotel, talmidim participated in a melave malka, watched a hilarious video presented by the seniors and finished the night with a bonfire and kumzitz. The achdut was palpable throughout the event, as talmidim from different grades and classes had the chance to spend time with each other and strengthen their existing friendships, while also building new ones. The entire shabbaton was infused with the extraordinary energy that MTA is known for and was truly a memorable experience for talmidim, rebbeim and faculty.

By Shua Pariser (‘20)

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