Senior Seminar Slideshow 2017

Freshman Seminar 2017/5777

At the end of February, Yeshivah of Flatbush Freshmen went to New Jersey for their first high school seminar. Rabbi Besser lead the weekend with the help of some senior advisors; and of course, two very special head advisors, Teddy Beyda and Samantha Chabot. The theme was Hakarat Hatov, learning what it means to be grateful, appreciative, and indebted towards others. We were all touched by each and every speech, video, and program, showing us the importance of kindness.

Thursday morning, the day before we left for the amazing weekend, we had a program about disability awareness. We watched videos about children and adults with Autism, Down Syndrome, and other mental and physical disabilities. Split up into groups, we did some activities to learn how people with Down Syndrome talk and feel. We had discussions about what disabilities meant to us. We learned how to treat and act around them as well. 

When we went to the hotel Friday morning, we were greeted with contagious smiles and laughter from all of the senior advisors. We started off with a session about how to label yourself and not others, teaching us the significance of friendship. We had a program about Jherin Gorcey, a”h, and her incredible acts of kindness performed with such love and happiness. She had a heart of gold and it inspired us all to improve our individual character. 

Shabbat started with Pre-Shabbat Ruach, dancing and singing to the band, playing the familiar Hebrew songs we love. We then gathered into Shul and prayed as one. We ate Shabbat dinner, followed by hours of singing. The spirit was already starting to lift only continuing by a session about loving family. Just before Tisch, at 11pm, the grade gathered around for some late night snacks at Oneg. Some of us spoke at Tisch, revealing inspirational and personal stories. 

Shabbat day only got better. We prayed Shacharit and Musaf and ate a gorgeous breakfast. We entered our last session of the weekend going into lunch. We had an amazing program with Holocaust survivors from Witness Theater, and seniors who acted out some of their stories. We then sang some more and rested until Minha. After Arbit, we gathered for a special Havdalah. Saturday night started with class wars, four games with the classes versing each other. From then until 1:00am, we were dancing for the last time, with short inspiring videos in between. At that point, the ruach in the room was on another level where we all felt so connected to G-d. With tears rolling down our eyes, the emunah was lifted in each and every one of us. 

We concluded the weekend with a beautiful slide show Sunday morning. Sad to leave, we packed up for the buses a returned back to school. This weekend has been inspiring to every one of us, and will always be remembered. We are already counting down the days for next year’s seminar.
~Sarina Shalom, Class of 2020

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Sophomore Seminar 2017/5777

Sophomore Seminar was a truly amazing experience. The days leading up were too much to handle. Counting every minute until the life changing experience would come by. Friday morning all the students came to school with a happy face. We prayed, ate breakfast, and loaded the buses. Once we got to the Berkeley Hotel, all of our senior advisors greeted us with smiles. We put our suitcases in our rooms and then we went downstairs to watch some inspiring videos with the one and only Rabbi Besser. Once we were done watching the videos we went downstairs for our first session where we discussed how to prevent bullying with some of our favorite teachers. After the session we came up to the dining hall where we had a nice lunch. After lunch, we danced a little and after dancing, we had some free time to ourselves.

Right before Shabbat, we all took showers and came down a half hour before Shabbat for a little Pre-Shabbat Ruach where we all sang and danced. Once Shabbat started we prayed a beautiful Mincha and Arbit. Right after Arbit our very own Rabbi Blumenthal gave us an amazing speech. After the speech we went inside to have Friday night dinner. Dinner was very good and once we finished, we went downstairs again to another incredible session with our teachers. This session focused on relationships. After the session we came back upstairs where our senior advisors performed skits for us. The skits were very funny and everybody had a good time. Next, we had dessert and the Tisch. The Tisch was the most inspiring part of seminar. Students talked about some of their life changing experiences and it moved our hearts showing us a new side of their life and how to react if we have the same problem as them. The Tisch went on until 12:45am and once everyone shared what they had to say, we went to sleep.

Shabbat day began with Tefillah, elective sessions, and a great message from Mr. Hofstetter. When it was time for Mincha, we all gathered into the Shul to pray. Prayers were beautiful again and following it, we went to have Seudat Shelishit. During Seudat Shelishit we ate and sang. We also heard inspiring words from our head advisors: Sari Cattan and Ralph Chattah. After the eating and singing, we all went back to finish off the Shabbat with Arbit. Following Arbit we sang songs and Mr. Galpert ended Shabbat by singing Havdallah. We went to change and then we had class wars! 

Each class participated in four games consisting of: name that tune, who tweeted it, musical chairs, and tushee volleyball. We all had a lot of fun during these games. After the games we had some more singing and we sat down to see inspiring videos. Finally at 12:30am when we finished watching the videos, we sang a little more during a moving kumzitz and then went to sleep. 

We woke up the next morning, sad, because we didn't want it to be over. We prayed Shacharit and had breakfast. We sang more songs and saw one final video made by Victor Dweck. It was the video of our seminar. In all the pictures everybody was smiling and it looked like they were having a lot of fun. At last, seminar came to an end. We loaded the buses to go home knowing we would always remember this weekend. This all couldn't have been possible without Rabbi Besser. He put his heart and soul into it and it payed off. Looking forward to Junior Seminar next year! ~Marc Franco, Class of 2019

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Flatbush Family Shabbaton Slideshow 2016

Junior Seminar 2016 Slideshow

Senior Seminar 2016

Senior Seminar 2016 started on Thursday morning when the parents of the seniors joined us for Parent-Senior Breakfast. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast with our parents and introduced the program. Next, the seniors and their parents headed to different classrooms to have a discussion with other seniors and parents. We discussed communication and our parents' involvement in our lives. We learned that in the future we are all headed in different directions, but it is important to keep our connection with our parents. Later in the day, we had the privilege to hear from Ike Chehebar speak. Mr. Chehebar made a bad decision, which led to the loss of two innocent lives. Mr. Chehebar regrets the decision he made every single moment of his life. The main lesson we learned is not to be arrogant. The moment you think you are the center of the world, you make bad decisions which will adversely affect others.

On Friday, we headed to the Berkeley Hotel in Asbury, New Jersey for our final seminar as a grade. Cheri Srour, came all the way from Brooklyn just to speak to us. Cheri was an ordinary girl just like us, who's life suddenly changed. Cheri was in tremendous pain and suffered for a long time, and now she is in a wheelchair. The main takeaway was to focus on what we have, and not dwell and what we don't have. In life, there are challenges and the only way to overcome them is think positive and keep moving forward. After hearing Cheri Srour's story we headed to lunch where we met our alumni college advisors. We then had some free time to get ready for Shabbat.

We started off the Shabbat with a feeling of unity and pride from the Pre-Shabbat Ruach led by Rabbi Besser. During Kabbalat Shabbat, Rabbi Kramer gave a Dvar Torah giving us some insight into Abraham's test in this week's parasha. We had a sessions with our college advisors, and then enjoyed a delicious dinner. In our Friday night circle, Mrs. Wielgus spoke about a challenge that she had to overcome. We learned that in life, challenges are thrown at us, but we have to choose wisely how to approach them. Our Friday night session was about spirituality and our relationship with Hashem. We were also honored that Rabbi Wielgus shared his wisdom with us on Friday night. At tisch, many of our peers opened up and shared their stories, making us feel connected as a grade.

On Shabbat morning, we started off the day with a beautiful Shacharit and Dvar Torah by Mr. Engel, which was about having faith in the toughest of times, like Avraham in Akedat Yitzchak. Our sessions dealt with different types of challenges including stereotypes, modesty, integrity, and responsibility, honesty, survival, and happiness. After free time to hang out with friends, faculty, advisors, and witness theater guests, we had Seuda Shilishit and a Kumzitz. Mr. Galpert then spoke about taking advantage of our strengths and not to let anything stop us because we can achieve great heights. After Mincha and Arvit, we said goodbye to the Shabbat with some singing and a special havdalah. 

Our Motzei Shabbat rikudim began with some lovely dance moves from our witness theater guests. We also had class wars, where we played name that tune, musical chairs, tushie volleyball, and Flatbush trivia. We ended off the night with some inspirational videos and one last emotional kumzitz as a grade. In order to cherish and enjoy the very last moments of our senior seminar, we stayed downstairs together until we were forced ourselves to go to sleep. On Sunday morning we prayed shacharit, ate breakfast, and watched a slideshow, summing up the beautiful weekend we spent together. We will keep the memories we have made and lessons we have learned on senior seminar for a lifetime. Thank you to Rabbi Besser, Mr. Galpert and everyone who worked to make this weekend so special!
~Marcelle Setton, Class of 2017

Freshman Seminar 2016

Sophomore Seminar 2016 Reflection

Sophomore Seminar has been one of the greatest experiences in my high school career. Although we left for the Berkley Hotel Friday morning, seminar sessions started Thursday morning in school when Mr. Joey Cabaso, a speaker from SAFE, came to talk to the sophomore grade. Mr. Cabaso's speech about his own experiences with alcohol and drugs really made an impact on both the sophomores and the teachers. He spoke from the heart, telling everyone how he lost a major part of his life to these horrible addictions. His speech connected with the theme of this year's seminar, transitions and changes.

As soon as we arrived at the hotel and settled in, seminar began. Rabbi Besser, the head of seminar, started off the day with both inspiring and emotional videos that led into a speech given by our very own Ms. Sarah Marcus. Ms. Marcus's words brought the room to tears; you could hear sniffling all around you. Her experiences as a a young woman with a family dilemma brought out the emotions in everyone. This was the perfect start to a weekend that was full of feelings - joy and sadness, appreciation and gratitude. We welcomed Shabbat with singing and dancing that was filled with love which was followed by prayers and dinner.

After dinner, there was a meaningful session about relationships. We ended off the night with tisch, which was definitely a huge highlight of the weekend. Students got up in front of everyone and talked about transitions or changes they had been through, which takes a lot of courage. Many students' stories brought students to tears. Every student and adult left that room with immense feelings of appreciation and gratitude for what they have and for the tough changes they didn't have to experience themselves. The night ended around 1:00 AM but resumed shortly after at 9:15 for prayers and Torah reading.

Shabbat day was filled with sessions with teachers and advisers on decisions and transitions. Lunch was followed by free time where students had the option to join a session with Ms. Sally Shatzkes and four Holocaust survivors from Russia. This session was moving and incredible; the survivors talked about the biggest transitions they have experienced throughout their lives. The things they've gone through and witnessed are almost beyond comprehension and it was an incredible experience to be a part of. By the end of Shabbat Rabbi Besser led the grade in rikkudim and Mr. Galpert sang Havdallah while two of the survivors held the candle. We were sad to see Shabbat go but one hour later, class wars began. There were games like musical chairs, name that tune, teacher tweets, and tushi volleyball where both students, teachers, and senior advisers competed for the winning title. Afterwards, there was more dancing and singing followed by an emotional kumzitz. But that's not the end! On Sunday morning there was one last dance and then we were off. Students took many pictures before leaving, both in the hotel and on the gorgeous beach across the street. This was an amazing end to an amazing weekend. I can't wait for junior seminar to begin next year! ~Sylvia Ashkenazie, Class of 2018

Sophomore Seminar 2016

Flatbush Family Shabbaton 2015

Junior Seminar 2015

This past weekend was Junior Seminar, where  Yeshivah of Flatbush eleventh grade students had the opportunity to get inspired over Shabbat with many of our faculty members and alumni advisors. The theme of this year's Junior Seminar was CHESED. 

We started off the Seminar experience on Wednesday with various chesed trips throughout the day and visited Imagine Academy, SBH, Ohel Children's Home, and to visit the elderly in Haym Solomon Nursing Home. Everyone's faces lit up with joy while taking part in these acts of kindness. On Thursday, we gathered in an assembly to listen to Mrs. Zaltzman's inspiring experiences with chesed. As the weekend began, everyone was ecstatic to spend time in the Berkeley Hotel in Asbury Park, NJ. After we arrived we watched a few videos and later heard from DJ Cohen who shared with us his life experiences and about how even through hard times others acts of true chesed can make a huge difference. 

After a little free time, Pre-Shabbat ruach began with a meaningful singing and dancing. During Kabbalat Shabbat, Rabbi Kramer's Dvar Torah taught us how without the true values of Judaism, people tend to lose track of what's true. After dinner, we gathered in a circle for more singing. Señora Ovadia gave a beautiful speech about Rachel Emainu's act of chesed, giving up her groom in order to prevent her sister from being embarrassed. We also heard from Rabbi Levy who also focused on the theme of chesed. The night's sessions were about the difference between fun and happiness, and how to find Hashem all around us. At the tisch, the students gathered to hear about one another's experiences with chesed, whether they were on the giving or receiving end. Many students opened up, leaving the grade to feel united as one. 

Shabbat morning prayers included another Dvar Torah, given by Rabbi Lubner, who made reference to the  recent acts of terrorism in Israel and the unity of the Jews around the world. In the elective session of Shabbat morning, each group discussed a personality trait and how to incorporate chesed into the specific trait. After lunch, Mr. Hofstetter spoke about how instead of looking for the people who do chesed in the world, we should become those people, and in that way we can mend a broken world. After free time, we reassembled for Seudah Shelesheet, which included a spiritual singing circle and speeches, given by alumna Celia Tawil and Rabbi Besser. The whole Shabbat experience left us with a yearning feeling to incorporate chesed into our lives. 

Motzei Shabbat began with Rikkudim, followed by Class Wars. The grade split into their classes to compete in fun games, such as musical chairs, tushie volleyball, name that tune, and trivia. The night was ended off with one last kumzitz, motivated by the acts of terror in Israel and throughout the world. On Sunday morning we gathered for breakfast and a slideshow; the grade smiled as they watched the memories of Junior Seminar. We would like to thank everyone who helped organize seminar and for making sure everything ran smoothly, especially Rabbi Besser. Everyone had a blast and walked away inspired!
~Marcelle Cohen, Class of 2016

Senior Seminar 2015/5776

This past Shabbat the Yeshivah of Flatbush Senior Class of 2016 reunited with the Berkeley Hotel for their final seminar as students. Senior Seminar began with the annual Parent-Senior breakfast on Thursday and discussions surrounding the challenges of transitioning out of high school. However the real euphoria of seminar kicked in once we stepped off those Monsey Tours coach buses and entered the lobby of the Berkeley-Oceanfront Hotel in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

Friday afternoon started with checking in, further discussions about different challenges we might face in life, lunch, and obviously, rikudim. We then had the privelage of hearing from Mr. Ike Chehebar, who shared his personal challenge with us. We were moved by his sincerity and his passion for sharing his advice with us. We then had plenty of free time to either write shabbatograms, go outside on the beachfront boardwalk (as the weather was beautiful), or socialize. We then returned to change into Shabbat clothing and for Pre-Shabbat Ruach dancing before candle lighting.

Friday night is always entertaining and spiritual with the meaningful singing during dinner and inspiring discussions during sessions with advisors and faculty. Some highlights include Ms. Ginsberg's touching story during dinner, Rabbi Levy's opera, Mr. Galpert's fluent Yiddish, Mr. Lazar's several layers, and Rabbi Beyda's wet suit (courtesy of Mr. Lazar). On Senior Seminar we also had the opportunity to be joined by three Holocaust survivors, who are part of our Witness Theater program. Over Shabbat we were able to interact with them and hear their stories. They gave us words of encouragement and strength to continue living as proud Jews. We also shared our feelings with one another at the tisch. The tisch could be summed up in only a few words: we will all be friends for a long time.

Shabbat day began with prayers followed by a light maza/Kiddush and elective sessions on various challenges we might face in the present and future. Lunch was followed by a Dvar Torah given by Mr. Engel. Overall the seniors walked away enlightened by what the Yeshivah Flatbush faculty had to offer.

Yeshivah of Flatbush Seminar Havdalah is always special, and it did not fail the students this time either. Rabbi Besser and Mr. Galpert led the enriching experience and dancing that followed afterwards. After Shabbat, there were many fun activities to take part in, including: the Mets game on display, or the hilarious senior games involving sticky faces and teachers' watermelon eating contests. It was all quite funny and amusing until the seniors settled down for one last emotional kumzitz, preceded by inspiring videos and words from Rabbi Besser. The students returned to their beds Saturday night to get a good night's sleep before their very last dance of their very last seminar during breakfast, a seminar that will never be forgotten. Thank you to everyone who help organize this amazing weekend!
~Michelle Harari, Class of 2016

Check out a slideshow of pictures from Senior Seminar 2015:
 

Junior Seminar 2014

On December 12-14 Yeshivah of Flatbush Juniors experienced the amazing Junior Seminar. This year's theme was Chesed, and in order to initiate us into the theme we had a special program on Thursday. The program consisted of two inspirational speakers, Mrs. Zaltzman and Yitzi Haber, followed by chesed trips. All of the junior students had the opportunity to take part in one chesed activity. Some of which included: food packaging, visiting the sick, nursing home visits and many more. On seminar, we were joined by some members of the Yeshivah of Flatbush Adult Chesed Mission which helped enrich the chesed theme.

Once we arrived at the hotel on Friday, you could feel the excitement. Seminar started off with a program about the positives and negatives of modern-day technology - the dangers of texting and driving, and how it affects relationships in today's society. We introduced Shabbat we an inspiring Pre-Shabbat Ruach. Following that on Friday night we had a very inspirational and meaningful session where we discussed Hashem, how we view G-d, and our connection with Him. The late Friday night "tish" was also very inspirational. Many students and alumni advisors spoke about meaningful experiences that they had in their lives.

Shabbat day consisted of beautiful prayers and elective sessions. The theme of the sessions were Middot Tovot, such as honesty, compassion, patience, simplicity, reaching out, emulating Hashem, gratitude and many more. Throughout Shabbat we heard from many wonderful speakers including Mr. Steven Sasson and Mrs. Berkowitz.

We ended Shabbat with a very meaningful Havdallah, recited by Mr. David Galpert, followed by rikkudim. After Shabbat ended we took part in the fun games of Class Wars which included games such as: Name that Tune, Trivia Questions about Avenue J, Musical Chairs and many more activities. It was then time for more rikkudim. The night ended with a meaningful and powerful closing program and kumzitz.

Junior Seminar ended on Sunday with even more singing and dancing, and a slide show made by Joey Baum that recapped our weekend.

Our seminar was made to inspire us to do more chesed and look at the world with a new light. Hopefully everyone had a great time and gained from the experience. Thank you to the faculty who came and most importantly thank you Rabbi Besser for organizing seminar and inspiring us all. Can't wait for next year's Senior Seminar...SENIORS 2016!!!
~Clarice Soffer

Senior Seminar 2014!

Last month, students of the senior grade experienced their Senior Seminar. They started the day with a parent-student breakfast followed with sessions to help students communicate with parents about the challenges that come in the last year of high school and beyond. Thursday afternoon we heard from a speaker, Ikey Chehabar, on how he overcame and is still overcoming his challenge. 

Overcoming challenges was the theme of our seminar. On Friday morning we traveled to Somerset, New Jersey to spend the weekend and Shabbat with teachers and to learn how to overcome challenges. Whether it was the sessions, which involved religious obstacles, the skits, which played out the idea of good and bad, or the tish, where each student spoke about a challenge they overcame, every corner of seminar was engraved with this idea. With this in mind, senior seminar was a success: as a grade, we overcame our obstacle of separateness, and became one entity, one grade, one group of friends. 

In one word, senior seminar represented "unity." To be honest, our grade has many set cliques. For the most part, each cliques have minded its own businesses and stood its ground. But for the first time, we came together as one. It didn't matter which group of friends you were from because when it came to the dancing, the singing, the tish, and its storytelling, and every other aspect of seminar, we all just came together. We as a grade, for the first time overcame a challenge together. We united and enjoyed Senior Seminar to the max.

We are so grateful for the teachers, administrators, principals, advisors and students who worked so hard to make the weekend such a success. A special thank you goes out to Rabbi Besser, who once again, did a wonderful job and really inspired the students.
~Anonymous

Freshman Seminar 2014 Slideshow

Sophomore Seminar 2014 Slideshow

Junior Seminar 2013/5774

On November 8-10, the Juniors experienced the annual Yeshivah of Flatbush Junior Seminar. It was preceded by a moving and inspirational Chesed Day, when we were split up into different groups to go to a different place to perform acts of Chesed. The places included Ohel, Imagine Children's Center, and SBH. This, along with a motivational speech by "Mitzvah Man," got us all in the mode of Chesed, the theme of our seminar. On Seminar we were joined by some members from the Special Children's Center as well as families from the Yeshivah of Flatbush Adult Chesed Mission for the whole weekend, which had surely enhanced our experience.

Seminar started off with a short program about technology and how it affects us and our relationships today. Friday night circle time included tons of singing and interesting divrei-Torah. We also had a moving session about relationships with other people and with G-d. The theme of the late-night "tish" was inspirational stories. After many stories, candy, and of course cholent, tears were shed from our emotionally-moved students. Shabbat day was filled with food, prayer, singing, and a session of our choice dealing with 'soul traits'. Shabbat ended with a very meaningful Havdallah service and rikkudim. After Shabbat was over, we played a very exciting game called "Junior Jackpot," which included trivia questions about Avenue J, Flatbush, and even required us to taste jelly beans and identify their flavors! Each lucky player on the winning team received a gift card to Oh Nuts. The night then continued with more dancing and a surprise visit by a recently married couple of Flatbush graduates! We ended the night with a meaningful presentation and a powerful kumzitz. Seminar ended on Sunday with even more dancing, singing and finally a slideshow recapping the previous couple of days. Our seminar, as all Flatbush seminars do, inspired us to do more Chesed, think strongly about our future, and how to become a better person overall. We can't wait for next year's seminar...Senior Seminar 2014!
~Naomi Shapiro and Junie Maleh

Freshman Seminar 2013

As a freshman I had no idea what I was in for last weekend. People kept saying how seminar is amazing, spiritual, and special. I was excited, yet unaware of how one weekend could be so incredible.

It started on Thursday, when alumna Debbie Nehmad spoke to us. Her speech taught us to not judge people and their pasts. We watched a couple of videos on bullying and got to know our advisors. We had a great session to discuss the challenges involving peer pressure and then went home to get ready for the next day.

Friday morning, we got on the buses and went to the Berkeley hotel. We went upstairs, put our stuff in our rooms and went downstairs and had a moving program about disabilities. After lunch and rikkudim we took part in an inspirational program in memory of Jherin Gorcey A"H. We learned that one person could make a huge difference for others and that we must try our best to be the best we could be. Before shabbat we dance and sang during Pre-Shabbat Ruach. The entire Shabbat we all felt very close to Hashem and took part in sessions about family, friendship, and more. Shabbat ended with an amazing Havdallah, one that I have never experienced before. Saturday night we had a lot of fun with Class Wars and rikudim. We ended the night with a touching program and a kumzitz.

Unity. Defined as the state of being one. I thought I understood the meaning of unity before this seminar. I was very wrong. The weekend felt like everyone was so close to each other and Hashem. I fully understood why people love seminar and I can't wait until next year! Only 11 months to go! ~Pam Cohen

Sophomore Seminar 2013

Head advisor, Louis Ades, said, "So many relationships were formed between seniors and sophomores. We got the opportunity to interact with each other and have meaningful conversations about the things in life that really matter."

Sophomore Seminar highlighted the importance of self commitment to change. It highlighted that in life there will be many obstacles that you will have to face, but it is important to try to overcome them.The various speakers, sessions, and videos proved to the sophomore grade that at this time in their lives they have an opportunity to set the direction of where they want to go in life and what they want to achieve.

On Thursday afternoon, the sophomores had a program in school with JACS in order to learn about the importance of making the right decisions. Friday morning the excitement was roaring. Everyone loaded the buses and headed to the Berkeley Hotel. After getting comfortable in their rooms, the sophomores took part in a program which discussed the problems with bullying. Debbie Nehmad (HS '09),  spoke about her experiences with bullying and the courage it took her to speak out against it. Following the speaker, students had the opportunity to express their opinions in an advisor session. After lunch and dancing, a senior spoke about the kedushah of Shabbat. After changing and having a bit a free time, students, joined by teachers, and their advisors brought in Shabbat beautifully with pre-Shabbat ruach. After davening and dinner Sophomores had a session about the importance of relationships. Friday night came to an end when student gathered late Friday night at the tish. Students got the opportunity to share stories and lessons that they learned from a past experience and also to pass the message onto others. Shabbat was filled with with an advisor session and an elective session. As Shabbat was coming to an end, we sat together in a circle to sing during Seudah Shelishit. We then had a musical havdalah followed by rekudim. After we had to to shower and change we enjoyed some fun activities during class wars. The night came to a close with an emotional and inspiring program, which ended with a kumzitz.
By the time Sunday came around, no one could believe the weekend went by so fast, but they knew they had learned life lessons forever.

Head advisor, Jeanne Franco, summed the whole seminar by saying, "The whole grade was so cooperative and unified and it was such a beautiful thing to see. It was a real blast and we all learned so many valuable lessons."  ~Rashelle Gersh

Senior Seminar 2012

After Hurricane Sandy and the SATs it was finally time. The final days of Chanukah were coming and the seniors were finally ready for SEnior Seminar 2012. Seminar started on Thursday, when the seniors had the pleasure of hearing from Ricky Cohen, CEO of the Conway Organization. He spoke about finding your true potential. Each senior also received a copy of his new book: Risk To Succeed. The seniors then had the opportunity to hear a heartwarming message from Mrs. Zaltzman. On Friday, the seniors packed their bags and loaded the buses headed to Edison NJ for their final shabbaton together. After arriving at the Edison Hotel friday afternoon, the seniors unpacked and started off the weekend by learning how to cope and prepare for some of the challenges they will have in life after and even before they graduate. The entire weekend was based on Challenges. Teachers would discuss with the students about the challenges that come along with college, Hashem, relationships and more. They then brought in the Shabbat by singing and dancing and lighting the menorah. The food was great and after dinner and the sessions all the seniors stayed down for some Chulent and inspiring words at the tish. Many students spoke about their personal challenges throughout the weekend. On Saturday night the seniors played the Senior Showdown game ran by Eva Bernfeld. The showdown got everyone so pumped up for the rest of the night and got most people messy with fluff and oreos! THe finished the night with an amazing rikkudim and kumzitz. After many speeches, sessions, tears of joy and sadness, the seniors packed their bags to come back home. The weekend was truly amazing. The seniors spent their last seminar together as one, hand and hand, not wanting to leave. Thanks to all those who spoke and shared their personal stories with their friends and teachers. A special thank you to Rabbi Besser who made this entire weekend possible. ~Emily Shrem