Ma’ayanot’s annual shabbaton offers students opportunities to bond with their teachers, classmates, friends in all grades as well as alumnae. Together they learn Torah lishmah, dance, sing and build school spirit. This year, the shabbaton was held at the Hilton in Stamford on November 16-18.
The weekend’s theme of “Chosen-ness vs. Choice” was launched in a pre-shabbaton movie, “The Green Chariot,” an Israeli film about identity and belonging. Faculty taught shiurim and held panels related to this theme over Shabbat.
On Thursday and Friday, students were treated to trips to Skyzone Trampoline Park and FunFuzion arcade. The ruach soared on Thursday evening with glow-in-the-dark Zumba with fitness instructor Lauren Greene. “My favorite part of Shabbaton was getting to hang out with girls from other grades and bonding with girls in my grade who I didn’t know so well before,” said freshman Aliza Cohn.
Students attended mishmar with the school’s principal Rivka Kahan on the topic, “Jew in the City or Citizen of the World?: Jewish Particularism vs. Universalism” and with Rabbi Avi Block, “A Theatrical Reenactment of the 1952 Debate over Israel’s Acceptance of German Holocaust Reparation Funds.” Discussions were enhanced by hot potato kugel and cholent.
Friday night included a beautiful kabbalat Shabbat led by members of the Ma’ayanotes choir.
After sessions on “Chosen-ness vs. Choice” and an oneg Shabbat, students enjoyed a panel discussion: “Everything You Always Wanted to Ask Your Teachers But Were Afraid to Ask.” Shabbat morning and afternoon included more interactive learning sessions and panels on a variety of topics relating to spirituality, identity and religious meaning and commitment.
“I really enjoyed the teacher panels. They were very engaging and allowed me to get to know them better,” said sophomore Gila Linzer.
Shabbat ended with slow shirah led by seniors, a musical havdalah, ruach-filled melave malka and a kumzitz. “That was the best part of Shabbaton for me,” said senior Yael Even-Hen. “All the seniors were singing with all their hearts. It was beautiful, and an experience I’ll never forget.”
