Rousing ourselves when it was cold and dark, we huddled into our car and joined the convoy that snaked along the Palisades. We converged on the banks of the Hudson River with many other Yeshivat Noam families to participate in the Sunrise Minyan! Organized by Yeshivat Noam’s beloved fourth grade rebbe, Rabbi Yaakov Nadler, the annual event helps the fourth graders conceptualize the halachic times of day, or zmanin, that they are learning about in Masechet Brachot.

This year, the fourth grade girls were unfortunately unable to attend due to COVID restrictions, but the fourth grade boys were present in full force with their parents, as well as the Elementary School Principal Rabbi Schwersenski, their rebbe, Rabbi Drory, their teacher, Mrs. Jennifer Dolny, other teachers and the Yeshivat Noam Bnei Akiva Shlichot, Halel and Adi. We gathered before sunrise facing East at the River’s edge, to daven Shacharit Vatikin.

The tefilla started while the sky was a deep purple. A gaggle of geese swam by and a few stopped to take a closer look. The George Washington Bridge rose majestically a few miles downstream. Ma Rabu Ma’asecha Hashem.

Rabbi Nadler interspersed the tefillot with songs and stories as the sky slowly lightened. And then, as we were reciting Shmoneh Esreh, the sun’s rim appeared on the horizon, exactly on schedule, and slowly climbed into the sky.

As we finished Shacharit, donuts, hot chocolate and coffee were distributed by Ms. Gordon and Mrs. Dolny. By then, the sun had taken its place in the sky and the weather was perfect for a short hike along the banks of the Hudson. The hike took the group to a once-operational bathhouse where the 4th grade boys climbed and played, and where Rabbi Nadler once again led them in song.

We hiked back to our original spot savoring the impressive experience—the davening, the sunrise, the camaraderie. Thank you Rabbi Nadler for creating this memorable opportunity for our families!