BOYS SHARE A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE ON SHABBATON

This year’s HAFTR High School Boys’ Shabbaton was a huge success. Students from grades 9-12 joined together to spend an exciting day of activities together on Friday, February 10, which transitioned to a beautiful Shabbaton extending through motzei Shabbos, February 11.

The weekend began as students boarded the coach buses, eager to arrive at the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Upon arrival, the boys filled the fully rented-out ice skating rink for them to enjoy. While some were naturally balanced on the ice and showed off their impressive skills and tricks, others had a more challenging experience and had to rely on the plastic balance supports. In both cases, everyone had a blast. After skating for an hour, the students dispersed to their selected activities. Some played mini-golf, and others strolled the mall and went shopping. After a few hours, it was time to head to the hotel, settle into our designated rooms and claim our thoughtfully prepared goody bags.

Shabbos commenced with an uplifting davening, which began this wonderful weekend on the right note. Rabbi Blinder, our Mashgiach Ruchani, and Rabbi Riselsheimer, our Dean of Limudei Kodesh, spoke and shared words of Torah related to the Parsha. Following davening, everyone gathered together for a delicious dinner. Students were able to enjoy chicken, steak, various side dishes, and desserts. Afterward, students were able to choose from a variety of options to fill their time. They could play games and talk to their friends or participate in the numerous activities that were prepared by the HAFTR faculty. The entire weekend was packed with activities: learning groups and trivia, as well as ping-pong and foosball, were just a few.

After a phenomenal Shabbos of bonding with friends and faculty, students collected their belongings and left for the last event on the agenda, snow tubing. The bus drove into what seemed like the middle of nowhere, but amidst the dark forest, the glistening glow of artificial snow brightened the way. Students poured out of their buses to receive an entry slip; they then listened to an informative safety speech and finally collected a donutshaped tube. Students rode up the escalator as a way to reach the top of the massive hill, and after awaiting their turn, spend down the icy tracks reaching high speeds and feeling the intense adrenaline rush. The thrill was indescribable. Later on, everyone enjoyed pizza and had time to reflect back on this shared experience.

The 2023 Boys’ Shabbaton was a massive success. From start to finish, e d h d d f l d memorable time. Thank you to the HAFTR faculty for arranging this unforgett