Parashat Vayera afforded the opportunity for the students of RYNJ to learn about the midot of the forefathers and to emulate them in a very special way. Last week they had the annual “Tent Event.” A huge tent was erected in the concourse area that was reminiscent of Avraham and Sarah’s tent, open on all four sides and ready to welcome travelers from near and far. With RYNJ administrators dressed in character, students loved learning Torah and being served water by Avraham Avinu and Sarah Imeinu. Each class of older students was assigned a younger class who would be their personal guests at the Tent Event.

The industrious and creative talmidim worked in committees during the week, sending out invitations and planning a fun and exciting visit for their younger guests. Finally, on Friday, all the classes in grades one through eight “traveled through the desert” to their assigned hosts. Classrooms were decorated to look like tents and the guests were entertained with skits, songs, student bands, games, mini carnivals and delicious refreshments.

The school-wide event reinforced the importance of being welcoming, generous and thoughtful to others, and also fostered a wonderful feeling of achdut among the older and younger students of RYNJ.