In the time period that we live in, with the coronavirus pandemic and the recent murder of George Floyd, it can be hard to find ways to stay positive, which is extremely important in these stressful times (especially since there is a direct correlation between health and high endorphin count, which is the chemical that makes you feel joy). These are the times when we most need to have a more positive outlook on life. There are moments where we all could use a reminder that things will improve for the better. Sometimes we just need a reason to smile. That’s why three Ma’ayanot freshmen, Yaffa Farkas, Rachel Kritchevski and Elisheva Elbaz, started the M.P.C.! (The Ma’ayanot Positivity Crew!)
Our mission is to help spread positivity throughout the community by gathering positive information and putting it all on a student-made website open to the community. The website is divided into three parts:
An online newspaper, titled Positivity Press, is a pleasant way to see nice things going on in these strange times. The newspaper features inspiring articles that help us to see the light at the end of this dark tunnel, such as divrei Torah, a simcha page, Positivity News articles, an “Ask Rebbetzin Google” column, and fun activities such as riddles, word hunts, mad libs, etc.
In addition to journalism, our outstanding crew makes videos too! The Positivity Posted section has one- to two-minute videos that are guaranteed to put a smile on your face with their simple and pure mussar. We also have a good news channel, inspired by John Krasinksi’s “Some Good News.” You can view our pilot episode on the website.
New to the website, we will be having a category called Positivity Recommended! There are plenty of depressing and upsetting happenings on the internet. Positivity Recommended is an entire section dedicated to helping you find positive movies, TV shows, videos and songs, along with fun tutorials and tips to keep you busy while in quarantine! Have a suggestion? You can fill out the form on our website. Our first recommendation was released on June 16, along with new content every few weeks.
Also on the website are fun activity booklets to keep us entertained during the pandemic, and a bi-weekly “Caption This” contest. To see the most recent winner, be sure to check out our website, https://mpcpress.wixsite.com/website, and subscribe to get an email whenever we update the website! Additionally, you can stay up to date with our website through following our Instagram.
We want to help spread the positivity in as many ways as we can. Our Instagram account is meant to help you get the motivation to spread some positivity of your own! M.P.C.’s Instagram features weekly challenges called “Mission Mondays” about spreading positivity. (For example: text a friend you haven’t spoken to in over a week). Once you complete the challenge, post it on your social media and tag us @ mpc__positivity. Be sure to include the
# (#yellow heart emoji) symbol, because we are trying to make that emoji the universal symbol for spreading positivity!
Whether you are affiliated with Ma’ayanot or not, you can still benefit from this website. We are all in this pandemic-changed world together. Check out our website (listed above) and see what YOU can do to spread positivity. Join the movement and help us with our mission to spread positivity.
And always remember our motto, “Let your smile change the world, but don’t let the world change your smile.”
Sarah Solinga and Elisheva Elbaz are rising sophomores at Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls. You can view the Ma’ayanot Positivity Website here: https://mpcpress.wixsite.com/website
By Sarah Solinga and Elisheva Elbaz
