Midreshet Devora- Update- End of the Year!

Midreshet Devora- Update- End of the Year!

The last few weeks of the academic year at Midreshet Devora were very busy.

On Sunday, May 16th after their morning classes the students visited the different quarters of the Old City with Eytan. In the evening they made packages for lone soldiers in honor of Shavuot.

On Monday, Shiri taught the Lunch ‘N Learn class and on Tuesday the young women shopped for and cooked a great Shavuot meal. In the evening after eating dinner together we had an all night learning program covering topics including Witchcraft and the Ayin HaRa (evil eye) followed by a walk to the Kotel and early morning Shacharit.

After Shavuot the students spent the day at the Dead Sea with Eryn.

Known in the Torah as the “Salt Sea” or the “Sea of the Arabah,” this inland body of water is appropriately named because its high mineral content allows nothing to live in its waters.  Other post-biblical names for the Dead Sea include the “Sea of Sodom,” the “Sea of Lot,” the “Sea of Asphalt” and the “Stinking Sea.”  In the Crusader period, it was sometimes called the “Devil’s Sea.”  All of these names reflect something of the nature of this lake.

Following an out Shabbat, we returned to our classes refreshed. On Sunday, May 23 Eytan took us to Nebe Samuel, Yad Kennedy and Even Sapir.
 
At the southwest outskirts of Jerusalem, in the same general direction of Hadassah Medical Center, is Yad Kennedy, reached by following the winding mountain roads past Aminadav Moshav (road 3877).
On top of an 825 m, high mountain is a monument in the shape of a cut tree trunk, symbolizing a life cut short; dedicated to the memory of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States of America, who was assassinated in 1963. 51 columns, each bearing the emblem of a state of the Union, plus the district Colombia, encircle the mountaintop memorial. An eternal flame burns in the very centre. The site was opened in 1966 with funds donated by Jewish communities in the USA. The monument and adjoining picnic grounds are part of the John F. Kennedy Peace Forest. 
 

 

A holy site on the top of the Mt. Shmuel and within the boundaries of “Nebi Samawel”, a destroyed Arab village.
The mount is located about 6 KM northwest from Jerusalem and rises to the height of 885 meters above sea level.
A tradition from the Byzantine period mentions Nebi Samuel as the burial place of the Prophet Samuel, despite the Bible verse, which says he was buried in his own home of Rama: “Now Samuel died; and Israel were gathered together to mourn him, and they buried him in his own house at Rama” (I Samuel 25:1).
Ram or Arram in the north of Jerusalem on the way to Ramallah is identified as the Biblical Rama. This identification is based on the Arab transmission of the place name; Hebrew “Rama” (height) is “Ram” in Arabic, (“Arram” is “the height”).
Since the Middle Ages, Mount Samuel has been acknowledged as the burial place of the Prophet by the Jews as well.
 
Even Sapir is a moshav in the Jerusalem District of Israel with a population of 680 people. Even Sapir was founded in 1950.
 
After class on Monday, we had a moving experience with Eryn to the Blind Museum in Cholon.

The blind museum makes you feel as if you are blind. You walk through hallways in complete darkness. You take off your glasses, watches, and anything that glows or reflects light. Each hallway represents a different location like the beach, a boat and the “Shuk”.  A visually impaired man leads you and explains what it was like to live in a world of complete darkness. When you exit the museum your eyes hurt because you are used to the dark.
 
On Tuesday evening we participated in the last Tuesday Night Live of the season at Hechal Shlomo with the following guests:

RABBI ARI BERMAN- Former Rabbi of the Manhattan Jewish Center, one of the most dynamic and captivating educators in the Jewish world today

DR GABI BARKAI- World-renowned archeologist, specializing in the Temple Mount and the City of David

Featuring Musical Guest: SIMPLY TSFAT! Rocking Breslev Chassidim straight from the mystical city of Tsfat!

On Wednesday, after studying Shir HaShirim with Aviagil, modern Hebrew with Sarit and Archeology we had a special Wednesday night cooking class at Eris and Guys home in Arnona

On Thursday afternoon we had two special guests: Yehuda HaCohen who spoke about “Activism on the College Campus” and Miryam Brand who spoke about “The Dead Sea Scrolls:Why Do We Care About Them?”

After the final out Shabbat of the year, the students made impressive presentations in many of the classes. In The Biblical Importance of Israel class we had a Land for Peace Debate. On Monday, Rachel taught the Lunch ‘N Learn with Leah and on Tuesday, Elisheva taught the last Midot class. Tuesday afternoon, Daniel Rose taught the last Zionism and Jewish Philosophy classes of the year at his home in Modiin follwed by a great dinner.

On Wednesday, with our Archeology class, we participated in the Temple Mount Sifting Project, an Archaeological project since 2005 dedicated to recovering archaeological artifacts from 300 truckloads of soil removed from the Temple Mount by the Waqf during the construction an underground mosque from 1996-1999.

In the evening we had our last TaNaCh class with Ami Hordes.

On Thursday, Josh took the young women to Tsfat where they visited the Yeshiva of Shem and Ever, the Ari Synagogue as well as the ancient cemetary where the Ariz”l is buried as well Yosef Karo the author of the Shulchan Aruch.

 

 

We also visites an art gallery and saw a glass blowing presentation given by Sheva Chaya Shaiman. The young women were enthralled at the intricacies involved in blowing glass. We continued along the artist colony and then made our way back to Jerusalem.

For the last Shabbat, the young women had dinner at Sarit’s home in Katamon. In the morning we walked to the Great Synagogue and had a picnic kiddush in Gan HaAtzmaut. After lunch at the student apartment Sharona and Josh hosted Seudah Shlishit and Havdala.

Midreshet Devora’s pioneers are now back in the US and Canada and we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Midreshet Devora 2010-2011 students. If you know of any young women who may be a good fit, we still have a few places available.

www.midreshetdevora.org

Midreshet Devora

 

www.midreshetdevora.org

Midreshet Devora

 

www.midreshetdevora.org

Midreshet Devora

Israel Address:
12 Israel Eldad #19
Jerusalem, Israel 93399

US Address:
75 Berkeley Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10705

718-593-4162 – In the US or Canada
052-534-6260, 052-534-7460 – In Israel

Midreshet Devora Update- April 25- May 15 2010

Midreshet Devora Update- April 25- May 15 2010

On Sunday, April 25 after spending the morning in class, the students participated in a special Jerusalem Experience with Eytan called ”The Way to Jerusalem ” where they studied about the 1948 War of Independence and visited Mishlat 21, a crucial lookout point above the highway to Jerusalem, part of the Yitzhak Rabin Memorial Park, Kiryat Anavin Cemetery where 15, 16, 17 year olds who lied about their age in order to enlist to fight for a Jewish state are buried as well as Har Adar- Givat HaRadar.

On Monday after our morning shiurim, Lily taught the Lunch and Learn class about the topic of the Significance of Be’er Sheva.

On Tuesday night the students went to hear Eli Deutsh who taught a special class on kabbalah

 

On Wednesday, April 28 we went on an archaeological dig to Bet Guvrin- Morasha with our archeology teacher, Aaron Greener where we had the opportunity to tour the caves and dig up pottery and bones.

 

(above photo by Samantha Hollander)

On May 1-2 the students had the opportunity to go out and experience what it is like to celebrate Lag B’Omer in Jerusalem.

 

 

On Monday, May 3 in Women in TaNaCh, we studied the story of Devora in preparation for our TaNaCh tiyul to the site where the story took place.

On May 4-5 we went on a special overnight tiyul to the North with Ezra Rosenfeld from TaNaCh Tiyulim

We visited Megiddo and studied about what a tel is as well as how Tchutmos the third captured Megiddo.

Via Maris is the modern name for an ancient trade route dating from the early Bronze Age, linking Egypt with the northern empires.

We saw where the story of Devora, Barak and Sisra took place – Kishon Valley and we studied the stories of Shaul at Har Gilboa and Gidon at the Charod Spring.

Then we ate lunch at Ein Yizra’el and talked about Achav, Jezebel and Navot who owns the vineyard.

We heard the story of Kibbutz Bet HaShitta, visited the Teverya overlook, the Biblical cities of Rakat and Chamat and saw where are Rabbi Akiva and Rav Moshe Chaim Luzzatto are said to be buried.

In the evening we ate out at a wonderful dairy and fish restaurant called Cherry in Teverya.

We visited the Chamat Teverya shul and talked about: When does Avoda Zara cease to be idol worship and become art, the zodiac, the first woman’s section in a shul as well as how the Rambam got to Teverya. We went to Tzippori and saw the shul and its mosaic floor. We visited the home of Rabbi Yehuda HaNassi, the Mona Lisa,  life of Dionysus, mikvaot and and learned about when they originated and talked Jewish burial throughout the ages.

On Thursday we were back to our regular classes where the students presented Midrashim on the Hagadah that they had researched using the original sources followed by an in depth study of Nehama Leibowitz on the Parsha where each student had the opportunity to give their own Dvar Torah based on the Parsha.

 

On Monday, May 10 we had a special Jerusalem Experience with Judy Balint where we studied about different neighborhoods of Jerusalem. We met Shlomo Zwickler, the executive director of Beit Orot Hesder Yeshiva and we got very close to a camel!

We ate a special lunch in honor of the upcoming holiday of Yom Yerushalayim at Bagel Bite in our quiet neighborhood of Baka.

 

On Tuesday, May 11, the young women went to Masada and Ein Gedi with Ezra.

They toured the modern museum in the visitor’s center.

They talked about the story of the revolt, the mass suicide, its relevance to future events and to the modern State of Israel.   They discussed the natural advantages of Masada as a fortress, saw the additional walls which Herod built, saw the bathhouse and understood the way it was heated, visited the northern palace, the ancient shul (bayit sheini), the gigantic cistern, the Roman ram and tried to understand whether Josphus embellished the story or not.  
After Masada, we hiked up to the pool in Nachal David (Ein Gedi) and enjoyed the refreshing waterfall.    

 

(above photo by Samantha Hollander)

 

In honor of Yom Yerushalayim, the young women went to a festive Tefillah at the Nitzanim shul in the evening and spent the night celebrating with a festive parade towards the Kotel. During the day they participated in the Rikud Degalim parade.

 

On Thursday, May 13 we returned to our regular classes with a special ulpan tiyul with Sarit to Shai Agnon’s house which is located in our neighborhood of Talpiot followed by an Italian lunch. In the evening we had a farewell party for Rav Haym at The Waffle Bar, another great restaurant in Baka. 

 

The students spent Shabbat with Marti Leebhoff and her community at Mitzpe Netofa, a Religious Zionist yishuv in the Lower Galil.

Shavua Tov & Shavout Sameach from Yerushalayim!

 www.midreshetdevora.org

Midreshet Devora

Israel Address:
12 Israel Eldad #19
Jerusalem, Israel 93399

US Address:
75 Berkeley Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10705

718-593-4162 – In the US or Canada
052-534-6260, 052-534-7460 – In Israel

Midreshet Devora Update-2 Weeks Ending April 22

Midreshet Devora Update- Weeks Ending April 22  

We have had a busy few weeks since the end of Pesach vacation.   The students ended their vacation with a TaNaCh Tiyul with Shani Taragin called “Eliyahu and the Carmel”.        

After an “In” Shabbat which was spent with Rav Jonny Gordon and his family in Katamon and Rav Hyim Shafner and his family in Talpiot we resumed our regular classes.  

 On Sunday, April 11, we went on a special Jerusalem Experience Scavenger Hunt with our madricha, Sara. The students had to find the answers to 26 questions including:  

1)      Who opened King George Street , what was his position and who was the mayor of Jerusalem at the time2)      Who owns Bikur Cholim Hospital ? What is his Hebrew name? What year was the hospital founded and where was it first located?

3)      On HaRav Kook Street you can find Rav Kook’s house, a museum with #150 being all important and the former site of a bookstore. What museum are we describing and what former bookstore was there as well?

The young women did a great job finding the answers and were treated to ice cream when they reached the end of the hunt in Mea Shearim.

 

 On Sunday evening, Sharona and Eryn conducted a moving Yom HaShoah Seder using a special Hagadah. We sat on the floor in the dark with Yarzeit candles. The seder was divided into four parts: Physical Destruction, Spiritual Destruction, Destruction of Children and Resistance. Each student participated in the readings which included songs, poetry and testimonies from survivors.

 

 On Monday, April 12,  we stood outside of our building on Derech Hevron and watched all traffic stop as the siren was sounded in memory of those who perished in the Holocaust.

 

 On Monday afternoon, Molly taught the Lunch N Learn on the topic of Tzniut. Each week one of the students will have the opportunity to teach a class at the Lunch N Learn.

 On Tuesday after our morning classes we went to Machon HaMikdash, The Temple Institute is dedicated to every aspect of the Holy Temple of Jerusalem, and the central role it fulfilled, and will once again fulfill, in the spiritual well being of both Israel and all the nations of the world. The Institute’s work touches upon the history of the Holy Temple ‘s past, an understanding of the present day, and the Divine promise of Israel ‘s future. The Institute’s activities include education, research, and development. The Temple Institute’s ultimate goal is to see Israel rebuild the Holy Temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem , in accord with the Biblical commandments.

 

 On Tuesday evening, the students went to a shiur by Shira Smiles in the Katamon neighborhood. This shiur is regularly attended by close to 100 women from all backgrounds.

 Wednesday, Sharona gave her class on Women in Halacha and Sarit continued her intense Ulpan class with a Hebrew film about the Holocaust.

 On Thursday April 15, some of the students woke up extra early to daven at the Kotel for Rosh Chodesh. After davening they were treated to breakfast at Bagel Bite. Ami Hordes gave his special Tanach class in the evening which as usual was most interesting.

 

 On Sunday April 18 the young women went on a trip to Yad Vashem where they learned and experienced the Holocaust in a most unique way. Yad Vashem had been redone a few years ago and is now a state of the art museum and memorial to the 6 million Jews who perished between 1939 and 1945 in Europe.

 

 Afterwards the students went to Ammunition Hill located close to the French Hill neighborhood of Jerusalem where they along with many other students who are studying in Israel for the year, commemorated Yom Hazikaron.

 

 The following morning a trip to the Mt. Herzl military cemetery took place where the students could feel and see first hand the pain and sorrow of the thousands of families who have lost soldiers in the line of duty defending the State of Israel.

 

 That afternoon the young women returned to Ammunition Hill where they toured the facility and learned about the battles that took place there during the 6 Day War.

 

 In the evening some of the students went to the Kotel and various synagogues in Jerusalem to experience the exhilaration of Yom Haatzmaut. Afterwards many went to town and Ben Yehuda street for some holiday fun and excitement!

 Yom Haatzmaut day saw the whole country filled with BBQ’s and the young women did the same with a special BBQ in Gan HaPamon with Lone Soldiers. These soldiers are singles who are in Israel with no family and are serving in the IDF. A good time was had by all!

 

On Wednesday the students began the Archeology mini-course with Aaron Greener from Dig the Past. Aaron will be teaching a 4 part class which will include an archaeological dig next week!

On Thursday Daniel Rose and Rav Aaron taught the students about Jewish Philosophy, Zionism and Modern Orthodoxy.

 Sarit showed an episode from the Israeli TV show Amud HaEsh

 

In the evening Josh taught his Contemporary Issues class and showed the movie James Journey to Jerusalem.

 

 Shabbat Shalom from Yerushalayim! www.midreshetdevora.org

 Midreshet Devora

Israel Address:
12 Israel Eldad #19
Jerusalem, Israel 93399US Address:
75 Berkeley Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10705

718-593-4162 – In the US or Canada
052-534-6260, 052-534-7460 – In Israel

Midreshet Devora Dvar Torah Update-April 16

www.toratreva.org

www.midreshetdevora.org

 Parsha Points-Tazria 5770

Gratitude for Hashem’s Gifts

By Rachel S. Rolnick, a student at Midreshet Devora

 

 In Parshat Tazria 12:6, the Torah states: “Upon the completion of the days of her purity for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring a sheep within its first year for an elevation offering…to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, to the Kohen.”

 In Vayikra Raba- Tazria 14 Rabbi Levi used a Midrash to explain, in greater detail, why a woman must bring a korban olah, an elevation offering.

 There once was a man who lent another man some silver; when the borrower repaid the loaner he repaid him in gold. The loaner was repaid with a greater amount than he had been given. Rabbi Levi compared this to a child. A child comes from a tiny drop of semen, but that tiny drop of nothingness will grow up and become a person. That “nothing” can have one of the greatest impacts on the world, either for good or bad.

 This past week we remembered the impact that one man made on the Jewish people. On Yom HaShoah we remember the evil perpetuated by Hitler. He murdered six million Jews. One third of our people were slaughtered because they were Jewish.

 The Jewish people however can never be eliminated. We have Hashem’s eternal promise. Next week we celebrate the miracle that occurred because of a few people with one dream: the dream to reestablish the Jewish homeland. On Yom HaAtzmaut, we received our own state and we went from being the wondering Jew, to a nation with a homeland.

 We as Jews are commanded to thank God for the miracle of bringing life into this world. Hashem miraculously gave us the State of Israel. Seven nations surrounded us yet we defeated them. We won the war with God’s help. How can we now deny the gift that Hashem gave us of our miraculous homeland, by giving it away to others? 

Just as we must thank Hashem on the birth of one child, so too we must thank Him for giving us a homeland to keep us, our children, and our future generations safe. We move forward from the sorrow of Yom HaShoah to the golden glee of Yom HaAtzmaut. May we as a nation continue to live and prosper in the Holy Land that Hashem has miraculously put into our hands. Let us proudly proclaim to those that would seek to destroy us, Am Yisrael Chai!

 Shabbat Shalom from Yerushalayim!

 Rachel Rolnick, 18 is a student at Midreshet Devora (www.midreshetdevora.org). Rachel is from Houston , Texas . She is the daughter of Drs. Richard and Ruth Rolnick and a graduate of the Robert M. Beren Academy in Houston , Texas . Rachel plans to attend Stern College for Women next year in New York City . She is having the most spectacular year in Israel and especially enjoys teaching Torah in Spanish at a nursing home in Jerusalem.

 Torat Reva Yerushalayim is still accepting applications for Midreshet Devora (www.midreshetdevora.org) , a post high school midrasha in Jerusalem as well as for The Torat Reva Post College Fellowship for women 21-26 (www.toratreva.org).

Next week we will update you on all of the activities that have taken place at Midreshet Devora since the Passover break! Stay tuned!

Midreshet Devora Update-March 15, 2010

The students at Midreshet Devora have been very busy the last few weeks both in and outside of the classroom. Here are some highlights from the last few weeks.

 

Thursday, March 4, the students went with Sarit, our Ulpan teacher to the theater to see a play called “HaTeomot”. After the show, they had a chance to meet the cast.

 

התאומות
מפגש עם הקומדיה דל ארטה – תיאטרון מסכות איטלקי
מופע יחיד מסוגו בארץ * מאושר סל תרבות

 

 

The Twins

A Tribute to the Commedia dell’arte

Pantalone, Harlequin, Capitano and Dottore, the eternal characters of the Commedia dell’arte, are being relocated in a current Israeli high school reality. The play is based on the classical elements of the Commedia dell’arte:switching identities, two twins who have been separated after birth, intrigues and manipulations, teenagers fighting for fulfilling their love and generations gap. The show was written as a common work by the theater ensemble. The play is based on classical structures and contains direct quotes from Moliere and Goldoni plays, which demonstrate the uniqueness of every mask. All these create a hilarious how, full of  improvisations and humor, which evoke a lot of empathy among the viewers.

 

 

 

On Sunday, March 7, we participated in a Special Jerusalem Experience with Zionism teacher Daniel Rose who taught the history behind the King David Hotel and Russain Compound!

 

 

The Russain Compound was built by the Russian church in 1860 which includes a church, a monastery and an inn for the many Russian pilgrims that used to visit Jerusalem up until the First World War. The Jerusalem Police Headquarters, the Court of Peace, and the Museum of the Resistance Prisoners are there. The museum lies  in the women’s inn building of the compound.

 

After General Alenbi took Israel, the British turned the Russian Compound into one of their places of government and the inn building into the main jailhouse. The prison housed an average of 250 prisoners in the 1920′s and over 550 near the end of the mandate in 1948. Apart from criminal prisoners, hundreds of Haganna, Etzel, and Lehi resistance fighters were jailed there because of their fight for the protection of the settlements , their freedom and the building of a national home in Israel.

 

 

 The Underground Prisoners Museum is housed in part of the Russian Compound complex behind Safra Square.

 

 

On Tuesday, March 9th, the students volunteered at Hoops for Hope, 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament. All funds raised will be allocated to significantly assist 26 Survivor of Terror families urgently in need of

support.

In the evening, the students participated in Tuesday Night Live with the following guests:

NATAN SHARANSKY was one of the founders and spokesmen for the “Refusenik” movement in Moscow in the 70′s after being denied an exit visa to Israel in 1973. He was sent to the Siberian Gulag for 9 years on false spy charges, and was finally released in 1986 in a prisoner swap. Since emigrating to Israel upon his release, Mr. Sharansky has held various high governmental positions, and is the symbol of strength, resistance, and the Jewish dream for many Israelis.
RABBI BEREL WEIN, author, world renowned lecturer, producer, and master historian, has been identified for over 25 years with the popularization of Jewish history, and has sold over 1 million of his acclaimed audio lectures worldwide. Rabbi Berel Wein brings Jewish History to Life with his dramatic documentary film series Faith and Fate, his more than 1000 audiotapes, books, seminars, educational tours, and with his popular website www.jewishdestiny.com.

CHAIM DOVID and his “good news bearers” were rocking. Chaim Dovid is a world-travelling musician from the Old City of Jerusalem, and has been playing concerts, weddings, and all types of Smachot for over 25 years.

Our new Madricha, Sara started working with us this past Thursday. We kicked off her arrival with a bagel and ice cream party.

 

 

On Sunday morning we celebrated Sara’s birthday with cake and candles before heading off for an action packed day of shiurim and Jerusalem experiences to the Time Elevator and Torah Dedication.

 

 

 

The Time Elevator is a fascinating interactive experience that takes the visitor to unforgettable voyages through fascinating places.

Combining motion based seating, panoramic screens, special effects carefully synchronized to the action of the film; we had the sensation of viewing the movie as a participant rather than a spectator.

The motion based seat system lets the viewer to feel completely “swallowed-up” inside the experience. The revolutionary and innovative system of motion based seats is the first of its kind in Israel, with each seat able to move in 6 different directions.
This unique and unforgettable experience combines learning and enjoyment in the best tradition of “Edutainment” (Education + Entertainment).

 

Torah Dedication at the new Hurva Synagogue

“Hurva” literally means “ruin” and is located in the heart of the Old City, where a new Torah scroll was ushered into the rebuilt house of worship in Sunday. The original building stood as a landmark in the 16th century, and its well known feature in modern times was the 50-foot arch that remained standing after the Jordanian occupation. That arch now is part of the completed synagogue.

The destruction in 1948 wasn’t the first time it was demolished. Muslims had lent Jews money in the 1700s to build the house of worship but destroyed it after the Jewish community, living in poverty, was unable to repay the debt.

The restored synagogue, a replica of the synagogue as it stood in the 19th century, is the result of four years of work.

 

 

 

 

Trip with Eryn to Ein Lavan

 

 

 

On Monday we went to Ein Lavan, a spring next to the Biblical Zoo. During the walk, we thought about the ideas of freedom, redemption and renewal, all ideas that come to mind when thinking about Chodesh Nisan and Pesach. When we got to the spring, we took our time cooling off and enjoying the refreshing water and the beautiful scenery around us. Around the water we spoke about what it means to be free, and how Nisan is a time for renewal and what we can do for ourselves to become “free” people this Pesach, and start the new month and the new year in a positive way. 

 

The young women are now on vacation until the end of Pesach. When we return we have many wonderful shiurim and guest lectures coming up as well as more TaNaCh Tiyulim, Jerusalem Experiences, fun trips, hikes, Archeology as well as the commemoration  of Yom HaShoa and Yom HaZikaron and the celebration of Yom HaAtzmaut, Yom Yerushalayim and Shavuot. 

 

Have a wonderful Pesach!

 

 

www.midreshetdevora.org

Midreshet Devora

Israel Address:
12 Israel Eldad #19
Jerusalem, Israel 93399

US Address:
75 Berkeley Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10705

718-593-4162 – In the US or Canada
052-534-6260, 052-534-7460 – In Israel

Midreshet Devora Update-March 1

Midreshet Devora- Update- February 14- March 1, 2010

 

The last two weeks have been a busy and exciting time at Midreshet Devora.

 

On February 14, Rosh Chodesh Adar, after our morning classes, we had our monthly culinary outing to an ethnic restaurant. This month we ate at Marvad HaKsamim (The Magic Carpet) on Emek Refaim, specializing in the traditional dishes of Yemenite Jewry.

 

Later that evening, the young women heard from Rachel Furst who spoke about the plight of Agunot and the importance of a Halachic prenuptial agreement.

 

On Monday we had a full day of classes and Chesed opportunities as well as time to prepare for out two day tiyul to Elat.

 

 

On Tuesday we arrived in Elat and spent time at the underwater observatory as well as on a boat ride. After the observatory we met a resident of Elat, Monica Gabbai who opened her beautiful home to us and told us the story of how she decided to move from Switzerland to Elat.

 

 

In the morning, we had a big breakfast at the hotel and had a chance to go peddle boating as well as enjoy the sun in Elat before heading back to Jerusalem.

 

 

On Wednesday evening we welcomed Eryn London, who will be serving as the Rakezet of Midreshet Devora.

 

On Thursday, we were back in class refreshed after a relaxing and rejuvenating vacation.

 

 

 

 

The following Sunday afternoon, February 21 we had a special Jerusalem Experience in the Jewish Quarter at the home of Rabbi Yaakov and Ruth Fogelman, parents of our Navi teacher, Avigail Wiseglass. Rabbi Fogelman showed us the unique murals that were painted on his walls and explained what they represented. Avigail took us to the roof of their home where one can see a breathtaking view of the old city followed by a tour of the section of the neighborhood.

 

 

In the evening, we were honored to hear from Dr. Deena Zimmerman, Yoetzet Halacha and author of  “A Lifetime Companion to the Laws of Jewish Family Life” a book which we have been studying all year. Deena spoke about the training that she received in the Yoetzet program at Nishmat and the impact that the program has had on women’s observance of Taharat HaMishpacha. Deena then answered the many questions that the students had about family purity and its observance in the modern world. Deena then autographed each of our books.

 

On Monday we continued our class on the Power of Prayer followed by Masechet Taanit and Topics in the Talmud. After Lunch N Learn the students continued their Chesed projects including a new Mommy and Me Torah study class where the students teach Moms who are home with their babies and who could otherwise not get out to a Torah study class.

 

 

On Tuesday, we studied Nach followed by Midrashic Insights into Vashti. In the afternoon we were honored to have a special papercutting class with Mrs. Naomi Hordes from Silver Spring Maryland (mother of our teacher Ami Hordes). Mrs. Hordes’ works were recently on display at the Diaspora Museum. Following the papercutting class the students worked on their Hebrew Purim Shpiel with Eryn. In the evening they continued to study Mussar with Rabbi Haym.

 

On Wednesday we studied Talmudic, Aggadic and Midrashic Insights into Esther as well as continued the topic of the Halachot of Women Covering their Hair followed by Ulpan and Film. In the cooking class the students prepared Persian dishes for the main meal and hamentashen for dessert.

 

On Thursday, the Fast of Ester, we packed Mishloach Manot for seniors in the local nursing homes and then we studied the Halachot of women reading the Megillah followed by Ullpan where the students watched the Hebrew version of Cinderella.

 

Shabbat was an In Shabbat. Friday night the students went to a Sepahardic Shul in Talpiot followed by dinner at the Halickman home with special guests Yam (our Israeli substitute madricha) and Yonit (our Photography teacher).

 

On Shabbat day the students davened at the famous Ramban shul (off of Emek Refaim) followed by lunch at Avigail’s and Seudah Shleesheet at the Halickman home.

 

 

 

On Sunday evening the young women helped run a pre Megillah carnival for toddlers and then enjoyed Sushi followed by listening to the Megillah which was read by Rav Johnny.

 

 

 

 

On Monday, Shushan Purim the young women woke up early to hear the Megillah and then they performed their Purim Shpiel with the help of our new Racezet Eryn London at the Yerushalayim Shel Zahav nursing home and distributed Mishloach Manot/ Matanot L’Evyonim to seniors who would not have received any packages at all on Purim.

 

The students had the opportunity to spend the Seudah at the homes of staff member Ami Hordes and the home of two of our favorite guest speakers- Gerald Schroeder and Barbara Sofer.

 

The rest of the week will follow a regular schedule with a special Cultural Outing to the Theater on Thursday with Sarit, our Ulpan teacher.

 

Shalom from Yerushalayim!

Midreshet Devora Update-Week Ending February 13, 2009

Midreshet Devora Update- Weeks Ending February 13

 

On Sunday, January 31 after their morning classes the students spent the afternoon in the Old City of Jerusalem where they toured with Etan the Via Dolorosa, and various important historical sites relating to the many religions of the world. Afterwards we davened mincha at the Kotel, ate dinner at Bonkers Bagels and heard a lecture about Prayer by Rebetzin Sara Rigler, author of “Holy Woman”.

 

 

Monday saw the students go on a TaNaCh tiyul with Shani Taragin “In Search of the Shechina”. The students visited Shiloh and learned about the Mishkan.

 

 

 

On Tuesday evening we saw Tuesday Night Live in Jerusalem. Michael Freund, Founder and Director of Shavei Israel – an organization dedicated to searching far-out crevices of the world for the “lost Jews of Israel” and bringing them home spoke about the ingathering of the Lost Tribes of Israel.

 

The second guest was a member of the IDF Rescue team in Haiti who discussed Israel’s response to the crisis.

As well as the young women were treated to “HOLLER! “Puttin’ a little South in the Middle East”-Jerusalem’s premier bluegrass band!

 

 

On Wednesday morning we took a trip to “Home Center” to buy some more pots, pans and bowls for the kitchen. They did a great job writing a shopping list in Hebrew as well as speaking Hebrew to the sales managers. The bonus from this Hebrew lesson- more cookery and utensils for the beautiful kitchen in the student apartment.

 

After Women in Tanach and Women in Halacha the students participated in another film mini course with David Blumenfeld followed by Wednesday Night Cooking with Eris.

 

 

On Thursday, we saw a few snowflakes and hail balls but our shiurim on Parshat HaShavua, Topics in the Talmud, Zionism and Jewish Philosophy continued as usual. In the evening we saw a moving episode of the Israeli hit TV show “Srugim”

 

The young women spent Shabbat in Modiin with Daniel Rose, our Zionism and Jewish Philosophy teacher and his family.

 

 

On Sunday, February 7th the young women began to study the Haggadah with Rav Aharon. Rav Guy taught his popular hands on Kashrut class and Josh taught a special class on Nusach in Prayer.

 

 

At 1:00 am we gathered at the Halickman home to watch the Superbowl!

 

 

Monday we continued our regular classes including Lunch N Learn with Rav Jonny followed by Social Action (Chesed) Workshops.

 

 

On Tuesday, we went with Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum on a special tour of Jerusalem called U’Reeh BiTuv Yerushalayim. We walked around the walls of the Temple Mount and had the opportunity to also visit Yad Avshalom and go through the Lion’s Gate. Our tour also stopped by the Kotel Katan and we visited a young Jewish woman who lives in the “Muslim Quarter” of the Old City.

 

 

 

 

 

In the evening, Rabbi Zvi Grumet came to speak to us about his vision of Modern Orthodoxy.

Wednesday we welcomed a new staff member Rabbi Haym Shafner who is on Sabbatical from St. Louis. Rabbi Haym taught a new class in Mussar to the young women.

 

 

On Thursday evening Ami Hordes taught his special TaNaCh class.

 

 

Shavua Tov and Chodesh Tov from Yerushalayim!
 

www.midreshetdevora.org

Midreshet Devora

Israel Address:
12 Israel Eldad #19
Jerusalem, Israel 93399

US Address:
75 Berkeley Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10705

718-593-4162 – In the US or Canada
052-534-6260, 052-534-7460 – In Israel

Midreshet Devora Update-Week of January 31

Midreshet Devora Update

 

On Sunday, January 17, after Rav Aharon’s inspiring shiurim and a delicious lunch the students headed for Kever Rachel for a meaningful afternoon of thought, prayer and contemplation.

 

 

On Monday, January 18 the students delved into Topics in the Talmud with Leah which focused on the upcoming holiday of Purim. Rav Johnny taught Lunch N Learn and the young women had the opportunity to teach Torah during their Social Action Workshops.

 

 

On Tuesday, January 19 we travel led to the Kumran caves with Ezra Rosenfeld.

 

 

 

On Wednesday, after studying about Women in Tanach and Women in Halacha with Sharona and perfecting their Hebrew skills in Ulpan, the students studied Bibliodrama and Creative writing with Yael Unterman.

 

 

On Thursday we studied the teachings of Nehama Leibowitz and prepared Divrei Torah to present at our Shabbat in Raanana. We spent a meaningful Shabbat in Raanana with Oshra and Tzvi Koren. Oshra is the Director of Matan in Raanana and Tzvi is the Rabbi of the Kinor David Carlebach Congregation in Raanana.

 

On Sunday, January 24 the students studied about the Mitzvah of settling the land of Israel. In the afternoon they had a tour of the Kotel tunnels.

 

 

On Sunday evening we conducted a Tu BShvat seder for the women of Har Homa.

 

 

On Monday, after studying about Tefilah and delving into Masechet Taanit the students enjoyed Lunch n Learn.

 

On Tuesday, the students reviewed the Book of Chagai with Avigail and enjoyed pizza while listening to their friends make presentations about Midrash and Gemara.

 

In the afternoon we planted trees in honor of Tu BShvat at the Tayelet and then we went to the Jerusalem Theater to see a show called Al HaGevurot- performed by the women of Gush Etzion.

 

 

On Wednesday, we began our film mini course with David Blumenfeld followed by cooking a gourmet meal with Eris.

 

 

On Thursday evening, Josh spoke about his trips to Italy and his encounters with the Jewish community.

 Shavua Tov from Yerushalayim!

www.midreshetdevora.org

Midreshet Devora

Israel Address:
12 Israel Eldad #19
Jerusalem, Israel 93399

US Address:
75 Berkeley Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10705

718-593-4162 – In the US or Canada
052-534-6260, 052-534-7460 – In Israel

Midreshet Devora Update-Week of January 17

Midreshet Devora- Update

 On Sunday, after their morning classes,  the students had an incredible afternoon in the Old City which began at Shaar Shechem and ended at Zedekiah’s tunnel.

 

 

 

On Sunday evening we had a special visit from Rabbi Seth Mandell, father of Koby Mandell z”l who told us the heartbreaking story about how Koby was murdered as well as what the family is doing to try to make the world a better place (Camp Koby for children who lost family members in terror attacks).

 

 

Monday morning the students began to study Masechet Taanit which deals with the importance of rain in the Land of Israel during the winter season. Unfortunately we have not gotten a lot of rain in Israel this year and we will study about what needs to be done in order to try to rectify the situation.

 

During Lunch ‘N Learn with Rav Jonny the students focused on the Halachic view of Organ Donations.

 

On Tuesday morning the students completed the Book of Chagai with Avigail. This is no small accomplishment considering that the entire class was taught in Hebrew. 

 

On Tuesday evening we were honored to have Lev Stark, a visitor who came all of the way from Los Angeles speak to the group about what it is like to travel all over the world and remain fully committed to Torah and Mitzvot.

 

On Wednesday morning we heard from Yoni Reisman, a student at Yeshiva University who spoke about integrating Torah and Mada and the value of studying secular studies.

 

 

Yael Unterman led the Cultural Mini Course in Bibliodrama on Wednesday afternoon and even performed a one woman show.

 

 

 

On Wednesday evening, the young women were treated to a special class in cake decorating with Sophie Levi-Azoulai. Since we haven’t seen snow in Jerusalem yet this year Sara made a snowman to remind herself of winter in Chicago!

 

 

 

On Thursday the students went with Leah and Sarit, the Hebrew Ulpan teachers to the Biblical Zoo where they had a chance to see which Biblical animals still live in Jerusalem as well as practice their Hebrew.

 

 

 

On Thursday afternoon, Daniel Rose taught two inspiring classes in Zionism and Jewish philosophy.

 

Some students chose to go away for Shabbat while others chose to stay in the apartment with our madricha, Chaya where they enjoyed a relaxing Shabbat at home in Yerushalayim!

 

Shavua Tov and Chodesh Tov from Yerushalayim!

www.midreshetdevora.org

Midreshet Devora

Israel Address:
12 Israel Eldad #19
Jerusalem, Israel 93399

US Address:
75 Berkeley Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10705

718-593-4162 – In the US or Canada
052-534-6260, 052-534-7460 – In Israel

Midreshet Devora Update-Week of January 10

Midreshet Devora Update

 

As part of the Biblical Importance of Israel class, on Sunday morning the students began making presentations about places in Israel that they feel most connected to citing sources from the TaNaCh and Talmud.

 

 

In the afternoon as part of the Jerusalem Experience class they visited the Israel Museum where the saw the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Shrine of the Book and where they visited the model of the Second Temple.

 

 

 

On Sunday evening they watched a continuation of the documentary about the birth of Israel.

 

On Monday after their morning classes the students participated in Social Action (Chesed) Workshops including teaching the Parsha at a group home in French Hill.

 

On Tuesday, we participated in a full day Tanach Tiyul with Shani Taragin and Ezra Seinfeld where we visited Tekoa and Herodian and we learned the Book of Amos on site!

 

 

 

On Tuesday evening the young women went to see Tuesday Night Live which featured:

SPECIAL GUEST: CAROLINE GLICK!

Deputy managing editor of the Jerusalem Post, world renowned author and columnist

SPECIAL GUEST: RABBI NATHAN LOPES CARDOZO, PH.D !
Internationally acclaimed thinker, lecturer and ambassador for Judaism and the Jewish people.

MUSICAL GUEST: SUMANTRA!

 

Wednesday’s Cultural Mini Course was Drama with Devorah Starr which everyone enjoyed very much.

 

 

On Thursday the students enjoyed learning new insights into who the Meyaldot (Midwives) really were and wrote Divrei Torah connecting their stories to our own lives. After Ulpan, Zionism and Jewish Philosophy everyone was inspired by a special class by Ami Hordes.

 

Shavua Tov From Yerushalayim!

 

Sharona Margolin Halickman

www.midreshetdevora.org

Midreshet Devora

Israel Address:
12 Israel Eldad #19
Jerusalem, Israel 93399

US Address:
75 Berkeley Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10705

718-593-4162 – In the US or Canada
052-534-6260, 052-534-7460 – In Israel