My first encounter with children from Yachad was one I will never forget. I was quite nervous at first, as was my entire grade of eighth graders attending from JKHA at this past Shabbat’s Junior Yachad Shabbaton at Congregation Ohr Torah in West Orange. At first, we had no idea what to do. But as we started to play ice-breaker games, we all looked around at the Yachad kids and we realized that these kids are just like us. The Shabbaton included children from all over the tri-state area and their ages ranged from about 10 to 18. They definitely know what is going on around them, and once we realized that, the rest was easy and friendships soon formed.
We started chatting with them and having fun. When we were at our group Friday night meal, we talked with them even more. However, it was when we started singing that we made our truest connections. We were all singing loud and proud and having a good time together. No one cared who was who, or where we were from, we just had fun—as kids should. Yachad circle time was an activity that everyone from JKHA loved. We all sat next to each other and sang fun songs, and just swayed with one another.
On Shabbat morning, my housing group was greeted by Hillel, a member of Yachad. We were all talking and laughing. As more groups arrived, they too gathered around him. The more people around him, the happier he seemed to get.
That morning, I befriended a really nice girl. We clicked immediately. She asked me if I would give her my phone number after Shabbat. I said I would love to. She said, “Are you sure because most of the time when I ask for a phone number, they say yes but never really do it.” That hit home for me. I vowed to absolutely give her my phone number which, after Shabbat, I did. I really hope we stay in touch.
I also made friends with another girl. She was very shy, but warmed to me. She sat next to me and asked me to sing ‘The Itsy Bitsy Spider’ to her. Whenever I sang it, she squirmed with delight. At the after-Shabbat ruach we were in a dancing circle together, but she jumped into my arms and only wanted to dance with me. I had trouble saying goodbye to both girls because I had grown to love them so.
At kiddush, no one stopped talking and the fun never stopped. We talked like we were the best of friends, which we were. Kiddush was followed by another circle time in which we sat next to our new friends from Yachad. We sang songs with them and we were not only peers at that point, we were true friends.
The after-Shabbat ruach was my favorite part of all. We blasted wonderful Jewish music throughout the shul and danced our hearts out. I danced with the entire group of girls and some close Kushner and Yachad friends. When we finally went home I only wanted to be back.
Throughout the entire Shabbaton, there was a smile on every person’s face. Whether it was a JKHA member swaying with a Yachad member during circle time or just chatting together, we were always having a great time. The bonding was definitely the most special part. I will never forget the fun times we had and all the friends we made, and hopefully, we will see our friends from Yachad again. The Yachad Shabbaton was one of the best Shabbats of my life.
By Hannah Kirsch, JKHA Eighth Grader
