The RKYHS shabbaton is usually the highlight of the school year. The school comes together for an inspirational Shabbat of friends, learning, bonding and fun. Since a school-wide shabbaton is not a possibility this year due to COVID, each grade at RKYHS will be enjoying a sha-POD-ton!

Tenth graders were the first grade to experience this incredible “pivoted” program. RKYHS is remote on Fridays and the 10th grade was able to have the building to themselves this past Friday for the program on the first day of Chanukah. Dressed up for Shabbat, students arrived at school and participated in a day of programming that was modeled after the usual shabbaton schedule. After Shacharit, students took “pre-Shabbat pictures” and enjoyed breakfast “hors d’oeuvres.” Sha-POD-ton programming began with learning sessions with faculty on a variety of relevant topics. Students then moved on to participate in a grade-wide challah bake as they learned about the power of the segulah for baking challah.

The rest of the day’s activities included a grade gameshow, Curfew! the game—a simulated interactive game of Clue—and some Chanukah trivia.

The day concluded with Mincha, followed by a socially-distanced kumzitz and a delicious lunch feast, complete with Shabbat specialties. Students went home with a renewed sense of camaraderie with their classmates and faculty.