On Thursday, December 24, students of Yavneh Academy volunteered for a Friendship Circle Camp Day. The day began with seventh and eighth grade Yavneh students meeting the campers with warm smiles and welcoming them to Yavneh. After each group of mentors and campers became acquainted, they began kneading and rolling out individual challahs. Davening started afterwards, and everyone sang with loud kavanah. Next, the participants boarded busses to travel to the impressive children’s museum Imagine That. As the children smiled, so did the Yavneh students. Seeing a big burst of happiness coming from the participants brought out the emotions in all of us. It gave us joy to see our campers so happy, and it really was an inspiring and uplifting experience. If any Friendship Circle children needed assistance, the Yavneh students were there to help immediately.

Friendship Circle really left a great impact on all of us, and it makes us want to come back to be with our new friends and campers every day. It’s an amazing program, with outstanding staff who try to make every minute fun. Thank you Friendship Circle for giving us the opportunity to make new friends! We are looking forward to our next event.

By Tamar Fineberg and Kira Elbaum, Yavneh Academy Eighth Graders