By Rabbi Michael Cohen, Head of School

For several weeks, the Derech Emunah Shabbaton committee has been meeting with Mrs. Devora Cohen, Executive Assistant, to plan our school Shabbaton. Menus, activities, host families, topics for Divrei Torah, themes, centerpieces, and much more were the subjects of discussion at these meetings.

Last Shabbat after weeks of careful planning the Shabbaton became a reality; the ideas of the committee were enjoyed by the entire school. The girls of each grade stayed at different host families.

The theme of the Shabbaton was The Inward Beauty of the Jewish Woman, and the activities designed for Shabbat and Motsai Shabbat around this theme were engaging and great fun.

Mrs. Mindy Lankry from Monsey, New York, traveled cross-country to be our scholar in residence. She shared personal stories of unwavering Emunah and inspired us all to find small ways to improve ourselves and our relationships with Hashem.

Rabbi Aaron Lankry, her husband, told us about the famous Rabbi traveler of the 18th century, the Chida, Rabbi Chaim Yoseph David Azulai. The Chida lived 83 years and wrote 83 Sefarim (Jewish Books), many of them about the different communities he encountered on his travels. Rabbi Lankry then told us stories of some of his own travels around the world, including trips to Morocco and China in search of important Jewish places, such as the Sambatyon River and King Solomon’s son’s graves.

We enjoyed delicious Shabbat meals at the homes of Dr. Eli and Miriam Levy for Shabbat lunch and Rabbi Michael and Devora Cohen for Friday night. Melave D’Malka on Motza'ei Shabbat was held at the school.

Planning and arranging the School Shabbaton was an opportunity for our students to cultivate many diverse skills. I am proud to say they managed superbly and executed a very successful Shabbaton event.

I am particularly impressed with how well the students worked together as a team.