Midreshet Devora

Midreshet Devora- January 2012- Update

midreshetdevora — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:37:27 +0000

Midreshet Devora- January 2012- Update

Over the last few weeks, in addition to our regular classes, the young women participated in an art mini course with Shira Sack. We had a chance to paint the view of the Temple Mount, work on self portraits and visit the Museum of Tehilim where every psalm is depicted in a painting.

We spent a full day in Chevron with Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum where we first visited Kever Rachel and then continued on to the historical sights in Chevron including Maarat HaMachpela.

Penina Taylor joined our staff as our Mashgicha Ruchanit. Penina is the author of Coming Full Circle, the story of her spiritual journey. In the past 10 years Penina has spoken to thousands of people in the US, Israel and South Africa, sharing her story and inspiring Jews across the religious spectrum to seek a more intimate and meaningful relationship with G-d. Penina is teaching a class in Polemics.

We went on a very moving trip to Yad Vashem with Rav Alan.

We enjoyed two more delicious cooking classes with Eris.

The Jerusalem Experience trip to the Kotel Tunnels was eye opening for all of our participants.

We enjoyed hearing a lecture by Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller.

On the first night of Chanuka we made latkes together and then we headed out to an Israeli rock concert with Harel Skaat.

On the second night of Chanuka we went to see Les Miserables at the Hebrew University.

After a relaxing Chanuka vacation, we returned to classes refreshed and the students had opportunities to make presentations in many of our classes.

Yigal Segal took us on a special private tour of the Nachlaot neighborhood of Jerusalem.

We were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to hear a shiur by Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi.

Adi Green began teaching a weekly Zoomba class at Midreshet Devora on Sunday evenings.

After studying many midrashim on the topic of Yosef and his brothers, we watched “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “Joseph King of Dreams.”

We analyzed where they were loyal to the Biblical text (and where they were not).

We participated in a hand on Kashrut class with Rav Jonny where we learned how to kasher pots and pans.

We had the honor of studying music with Lenny Solomon of Shlock Rock.

We had the great opportunity of visiting the Begin museum as part of our Jerusalem Experience class.

We heard Rabbi Brovender speak about the Parsha at the Ramban shul.

We participated in a TaNaCh tiyul with Shani Taragin to Arad and Susya where we attempted to answer the question: “Did Jews build a miniature Beit HaMikdash during the First Temple period?”

We spent our in Shabbat together in Jerusalem where we participated in Carlebach Tefilot at Mizmor L’David as well as in a Bar Mitzvah Kiddush. Our Shabbat was filled with words of Torah and song.

We began out Drama mini course with Devorah Starr. In this mini course,students use theater arts as a way to increase their understanding of various Biblical personalities and pesukim in the Torah.

Our big Elat tiyul was a true vacation with a chance to go to the underwater observatory, boat rides, the Imax and Wax Museum and lots of fun!

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 November Update

midreshetdevora — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:14:03 +0000

Midreshet Devora- November Update

In addition to our formal Torah study classes, Chesed opportunities and Cultural Mini Courses in Art and Cooking, we have had a lot of great informal experiential learning experiences and trips over the past few weeks.

We enjoyed a Scavenger Hunt in the Old City which included the Cardo, Ramban Synagogue, Hurva, Kabalistic Yeshiva, Madabba map, Memorial to the Defenders of the Jewish Quarter, Broad Wall, Tiferet Yisrael Synagogue, Istanbuli Synagogue, the Gal-Ed, and Batei Machseh.

Our first major TaNaCh tiyul of the year was with Rabbi Menachem Leibtag where we studied the Book of Yehoshua right where it took place- right outside of Jericho and in the Jordan River!

On November 1 in the evening we watched the Movie “Noodle” as part of our Contemporary Israel class.

In a special Jerusalem Experience on November 2nd we visited the home of Rabbi and Mrs. Fogelman in the Old City (Avigail our Nach teacher’s parents) and even had a chance to go up on their roof!

On Sunday, November 6th we walked to the Kotel for Tfilat Shacharit followed by a full day at the inspiring Aish HaTorah Discovery Seminar with famous speakers such as Dr.Gerald Schroeder and Rav Gavriel Friedman (aka Rav Gav). We took in the breathtaking views of Jerusalem and found the perfect spot for Tefilat Mincha.

We spent our Jerusalem Experience with Rav Alan on November 9th at the Israel Museum

Shabbat Midrasha was spent in Mevo Modiim, The Carlebach Moshav.

On Friday, we took the goats down to field followed by:

Goat milking

Cheese making

Cheese tasting

Spinning / Weaving

Olive pressing- we learned about olives and olive oil

We went on a nature tour to see the Moshav Shul to ancient ruins and the view point over Modiin learning history of the area.

After lunch we went to the vineyard to see the 7 species.

We enjoyed the Carlebach Tefilot as well as spending Shabbat on the farm with Judy Avraham Chai and her family.

On November 13 after our regular classes we watched Operation Thunderbolt in Hebrew.

Our Jerusalem Experience on November 16 was to the Jerusalem Time Elevator.

After a busy week of learning we celebrated Leah’s birthday with brownies and balloons and we watched the first few episodes of the Israeli TV Show Srugim.

This past Tuesday and Wednesday we went on an overnight tiyul to the Golan with Ezra Rosenfeld.

We visited the historical sites of:Umm elkannatir, ,Katzrin, Oz 77, Har Bental and the Banias. We also visited the deKarina chocolate factory and the Golan Winery. We went ice skating and bowling and we even had a chance to get wet!.

On Thurday, between classes, we were able to participate in the Ethiopian holiday called Sigd which was celebrated at the Tayelet (Promenade) only a few blocks away from Midreshet Devora. Ethiopian immigrants from all over Israel came to Jerusalem to pray at the Tayelet.

In honor of Rosh Hodesh Kislev we went to the Kotel for Shachrit followed by bagels at Holy Bagel in the Jewish Quarter.

Wishing you a Chodesh Tov from Yerushalayim!

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, October 2011!

midreshetdevora — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:27:42 +0000

Torat Reva Yerushalayim- Midreshet Devora Update & Chag Sameach!

On September 6, The Midreshet
Devora students arrived at their new home on Yirael Eldad street in the Talpiot
section of Yerushalayim.

After getting settled
we walked to the Kotel for Maariv and introspection.

Then we headed for the Jewish
Quarter for Ice Cream!

On Wednesday, we had a tour of
the neighborhood including a Jerusalem Experience with Rav Alan at the Tayelet
(Promenade) and a taste of the Israeli pizza.

On Thursday, we began our
Ulpan and Topics in the Talmud classes.

On Friday, we had a special
shiur with Rav Alan about the holiness of celebrating Shabbat in Yerushalayim
followed by a Shabbat Yerushalayim trip with Marissa to Shuk Machane
Yehuda.

After an In Shabbat we were
refreshed and ready for the first full week!

On Sunday we learned about The
Biblical Importance of Israel with Sharona followed by the story of
Yonah in Nach with Avigail, Zionism with Yehuda, Q&A with Rav Jonny and a
break for Soccer.

On Monday, we studied women’s
obligations in prayer and then we participated in a Chesed Orientaion where we
learned about Hospital Clowning as well as what it is like to work with the
special needs population in a candle factory.

After Hilchot Shabbat and
Chasidut we prepared for the Full Moon Deset Walk tiyul with Shaul
Judelman.

We arrived back on Wednesday morning and then
had a chance to finally sleep!

On Thursday, we learned
Parshat HaShava with Sharona and each student had the opportunity to write their
own Dvar Torah. Emma taught about Shabbat Makeup and we studied Hilchot Tshuva
with Rabbi Simkovich at his home. We had an out Shabbat where we had the
opportunity to visit friends and family throughout Israel.

On Sunday, we were back to
regular classes. On Monday, we visited the Yerushalayim Shel Zahav Nursing
Home.

After our Tuesday morning classes we
studied photography with Yonit followed by a Shiur with Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum
and Cooking with Eris.

On Wednesday, we went to
Ir David with Rav Alan
including Hizkiyahu’s water tunnel!

After Thursday’s classes we
had an out Shabbat followed by a short week leading up to Rosh HaShana including a
lecture from Shira Smiles and Photography with Yonit.

After Rosh Hashana we were
back to a full schedule of regular classes, special lectures and trips. We heard
Teshuva Drashot from both Rabbi Dovid Miller and Rabbi Shlomo Riskin. We had a
lot of fun making food packages at Yad Eliezer as well as in the Photography
Mini Course!

After a meaningful Yom
Kippur and regular classes on Sunday, we went on a trip to the North on Monday
and a Scavenger Hunt in Jerusalem on
Tuesday. On Cho HaMoed Sukkot we will be going on a TaNaCh Tiyul
to the Jordan
River with Rabbi Menachem Leibtag.

Chag Sameach from
Yerushalayim!

Sharona Margolin Halickman

Midreshet Devora is a Religious Zionist Midrasha for women 18-26 who want
to live, learn and feel the love of the Land of Israel.

www.midreshetdevora.org

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

Midreshet Devora Update June 2011

midreshetdevora — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:10:17 +0000

Midreshet Devora Update- End of the
Year!

After a refreshing Pesach vacation we returned to our regular classes on
May 1 followed by Yom HaShoa commemorations. We watched the new Anne Frank Movie
as well as studied about the Holocaust in Halacha and Jewish Philosophy classes.
We were outside for the blasting of the siren and we participated in a Yom
HaShoa Seder.

On Tuesday, May 2 we davened Shacharit at the Kotel followed by a special
inspirational tour of the Old City of Jerusalem with Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum.

On Wednesday, Rosh Chodesh Iyar we went with Sarit to the Himmelfarb school
where we heard Miriam Peretz speak about her two sons who were killed fighting
for Israel. We then had a tour of Yad
Sara followed by a Jerusalem Experience on Mt. Herzl and we ended off the day
cooking with Eris.

On Thursday, Rosh Hodesh we went to Mizmor L’David to daven with a
Carlebach minyan followed by our regular classes. In the evening, we went to a
Creative Writing Workshop: “The Midrash is Personal” with Alieza Salzberg.

After an Out Shabbat, we had regular classes on Sunday followed by a very
moving Yom HaZikaron program at Sultan’s Pool- “Zochrim, Sharim Umisaprim al
Nifgaei Peulot HaTeror”- “We Remember, We Sing and We Tell about Those Who Were
Victims of Terror Attacks.” Artists who presented included David Broza, Shuli
Rand and Yishai Lapidot.

In honor of Yom HaAtzmaut, we hung a flag outside of our window and we went
to a Tefillah with live music on Emek Refaim followed by fireworks and a concert
at the Tayelet (a block away from our apartment!)

On Yom HaAtmaut day we enjoyed a “mangal”- bar-b-q with the Halickman
family.

On Wednesday morning we had our regular classes in Women in Halacha and Ulpan
followed by a Music Class with Lenny Solomon from Shlock Rock. We worked with
Lenny and together we wrote a song that will be recorded on his next Shlock Rock
album!

On Thursday evening, we began our Contemporary Issues class with Yehuda
HaCohen.

We spent Shabbat as well as Sunday in Tsfat! On Shabbat we ate with different
families and on Sunday we had a tour of Tsfat which included going to see Sheva
Chaya the glassblower!

On Monday we had regular classes and Chesed opportunities.

On Tuesday afternoon we went with Ezra Rosenfeld to Herodian.

On Wednesday we had regular classes followed by Photography with Yonit and
Cooking with Eris.

On Thursday morning, we studied Parshat HaShavua and Ulpan.In the afternoon
we studied Film with David Blumenfeld and Contemporary Issues with Yehuda
HaCohen.

After an out Shabbat and Lag B’Omer vacation we had a full week of classes
and a special guest speaker- Dr. Deena Zimmerman author of “A Lifetime Companion
to the Laws of Jewish Family Life”. Deena was more than happy to answer all of
our questions as well as autograph our books!

On Sunday, May 29, after our morning classes, we went with Rav Alan to the
Underground Prisoners Museum.

On Monday, we went with Judy Balint on a tour of Jerusalem’s “Green Line” and
“Security Fence”.

Yom Yerushalayim was spent at the Kotel
with the rest of Jerusalem!

On Sunday, we went for a walk on the walls around the Old City with Rav Alan.
It was hard to believe that there were places in Jerusalem that we had not yet
visited!

During the last week of class the students were given opportunities to make
presentations and teach classes to their peers.

We dedicated Midreshet Devora’s library in Memory of Rabbi Dr. Moshe
Carmilly. Click on the following link to learn more about Dr. Carmilly: http://www.toratreva.org/Joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=280&Itemid=280.

The students enjoyed cooking delicious dairy meals in honor of Shavuot as
well as walking to the Kotel in the middle of the night!

Our last Shabbat was an “In Shabbat” spent with the Halickman’s and Avigail
Wiseglass and her family where we had time to reflect on how much we had
accomplished over the year.

On Sunday we went with Ezra on a TaNaCh Tiyul in Search of the Plishtim-
David and Goliath!

The Midreshet Devora students are now
back home with their families. We hope to see them all back soon in
Yerushalayim!

We are looking forward to greeting the Midreshet Devora class of 2011-2012
who will be flying to Israel on Labor Day Weekend!

www.midreshetdevora.org

Midreshet Devora

Midreshet Devora Spring Semester Update!

midreshetdevora — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 21:28:34 +0000

Midreshet Devora Update

Spring Semester

Tu B’Shvat at Midreshet Devora was a lot of fun! We participated in a Tu B’shvat seder where we had the opportunity to learn Torah while eating all of the Shivat HaMinim (Seven Species of the Land of Israel), we visited the Jerusalem Botanical Garden and planted flowers as well as sang Tu B’Svat songs and planted with English speaking senior citizens at Melabev in Talpiot.

The week of January 23rd we began our second semester. We are offering some new classes such as the Jewish Life Cycle, Ivrit B’Ivrit Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs taught in Hebrew), Taharat HaMishpacha (family purity) and two levels of Ulpan. We are also continuing the well loved classes from the first semester.

Our cultural mini courses will include Photography, Film and Archeology.

On Sunday, January 23 we enjoyed spending the afternoon with Rav Alan on a Jerusalem Experience in San Simon.

On Monday, January 24 we enjoyed a full day tiyul with Shani Taragin and Ezra Rosenfeld to Beit El.

Shifra, one of our students from last year who was in Israel for winter vacation joined us for the trip.

On Tuesday, January 25 we began to study the Laws of Marriage with Sharona, Shir HaShirim with Avigail and Modern Issues in the State of Israel and Chasidut with Rav Alan as well as Kashrut with Rav Jonny.

After our Wednesday morning classes we saw The Prince of Egypt and anlayzed how different it was from the Book of Shmot.

In the evening we had cooking with Eris where we made a gourmet dinner.

In Thursday morning’s Parshat HaShavua class, all of the students had a chance to present their own Divrei Torah. After Hebrew, Talmud and Chasidut Esther Leah taught a special interactive shiur which everyone enjoyed.

We had a really fun In Shabbat in Jerusalem and we enjoyed getting to know the new students who joined us for the second semester.

On Sunday, January 30th, the young women braved the heavy rain and went to Machon HaMikdash, the Temple Institute and had the opportunity to see what the vessels looked like in the Beit HaMikdash.

After Hilchot Shabbat and Foundations of Halacha we went on a cultural outing to the Betar Yerushalayim Soccer Game with The Sports Rabbi Josh Halickman.

On Monday the students returned to their Chesed projects helping the elderly and special needs populations in Southern Jerusalem.

In the evening we had intense discussions during Rabbi Simkovich’s class in Jewish Philosophy.

On Tuesday evening, we went to the Old City to hear Rebetzin Rigler speak.

On Wednesday afternoon we studied the different Halachic views on being exposed to outside culture followed by another great cooking class.

On Thursday we began to study the meaning behind our weekly morning prayers focusing on Psukei D’Zimra followed by The Biblical Importance of the Land of Israel, Ulpan, Talmud and Jewish Philosophy.

Sunday afternoon February 6 was the Jerusalem Eperience with Leah to the Biblibal Zoo! We enjoyed seeing animals from the TaNaCh as well as seeing how many Hebrew animal names that we could remember.

After our Chesed opportunities on Monday, we prepared for our two day overnight led by Ezra Rosenfeld to Masada, the Bedouines, Ein Gedi, Kumran, the Dead Sea, Camel rides and the Techelet factory.

On Thursday it was back to regular classes followed by a restful Shabbat.

Sunday, February 13th started with our morning shiurim followed by the Jerusalem Experience with Rav Alan to Rav Kooks house.

On Tuesday evening we went on a cultural outing to Tuesday Night Live in Jerusalem where we saw Shyne perform.

On Thursday we watched a film about Gush Katif followed by a visit to Rav Rimon from Job Katif.

After an Out Shabbat, we were back to our regular classes including a special Jerusalem Experience with Rav Alan to the Gush Katif Museum.

On Monday we participated in our Chesed opportunities and on Tuesday evening we made blintzes with Leah followed by a special lecture by Chaim Kramer.

Chaim is largely responsible for introducing Rebbe Nachman’s teachings to today’s generation. He is a sought-after lecturer on Rebbe Nachman’s teachings by English-speaking congregations around the world. Chaim has been the director of the Breslov Research Institute since its inception in 1979. BRI has been the main publishing-house for translations of classic and contemporary Breslov books. More than 100 titles are currently in print, in English, Hebrew, Russian, Spanish, French, and even Korean. Chaim himself, is the author of “Through Fire and Water”, “Crossing the Narrow Bridge”, “Anatomy of the Soul”, “This Land is My Land”, and many more titles, as well as annotating over 13 volumes of the English Translation of Likutei MoHaRan.

The Shabbat of February 25 was spent at Nechama Barash’s home in Elazar.

On Sunday, February 27, after an inspiring morning of studying Halacha with Rav Alan, we began our photography mini course with Yonit.

In the evening we heard Rabbi Berel Wein speak at The Great Synagogue about Patterns in Jewish History.

On Wednesday, we bagan our Archeology class with Aaron Greener.

In the evening we had cooking with Eris.

On Thursday we studied Parshat HaShavua, Hebrew and Talmud and had a special lecture with Ami Hordes.

On Sunday morning, March 6, we walked to the Kotel for Shacharit. When we returned, we studied about the Biblical Importance of Israel and Hebrew Language.

After lunch, we went on a Jerusalem Experience with Ezra: Jerusalem on the eve of Destruction.

In the evening we attended a Rosh Chodesh Body and Soul Spa Party which included dinner, creative movement and meditation, a lecture about Esther’s Hidden Beauty and Perfume Passion with aroma therapist Chana Schoenberg. Each student created their own scent of perfume.

On Monday, March 7, the second day of Rosh Chodesh we participated in a Carlebach Tefillah with Live music at Mizmor L’David.On Tuesday evening we baked Hamentashen with Leah.

On Wednesday we participated in another photography mini course with Yonit at the Tayelet.

After Thursday’s regular classes we packed up to get ready to spend Shabbat in Netofa. Thanks to Marti Leebhoff for hosting us again this year!

On Sunday and Monday we went on a TaNaCh Tiyul with Ezra Rosenfeld to the Golan where we visited the following places:

Mitzpeh LaShalom

Umm El Kannatir

Gamla

Katzrin Museum

Golan Winery

Har BenTal

Ein Zivan – De Karina chocolate factory

Kibbutz Ekrom – Oz 77 movie

Emek HaBacha

Druse V illages

Birkat Ram

Banias – “Caesaria Ph il lipi”

Tel Facher – Mitzpeh Golani

Helicopter crash memorial – near She’ar Yashuv

After our regular classes on Wednesday, we went on an archeological dig to Beit Guvrin.

Shabbat Zachor was an In Shabbat followed by purim preparations and celebrations including running a carnival for toddlers and delivering Mishloach Manot to two nursing homes followed by a Seudah at Barbara Sofer and Dr. Gerald Schroeder’s home!

After Purim, we began our intensive study of the Laws of Pesach, The Book of Shmot and the Hagada.

This week, in addition to our regular classes we will have Shmirat HaLashon day, we are visiting Ammuniton Hill as well as working on the Temple Mount Sifting Project with Aaron Greener.

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 January 2011!

midreshetdevora — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 07:53:50 +0000

Midreshet Devora Update- January 2011

Check out the new Midreshet Devora Video at www.midreshetdevora.org!

The Midreshet Devora students have had a busy month!

On December 12 they had a special Jerusalem Experience with Rav Alan where they visited the Herzl Museum.

In the evening they heard a special lecture by Rabbi Yitzchak Blau at Beit Kneset Ramban.

After our Monday classes and Chesed opportunities, we went to see the play Judge: The Song of Devora performed by the women of Gush Etzion’s Raise Your Spirits Theater Company.

On Tuesday we studied some eye opening Midrashim about Yosef that you would not find in the Chumash with Sharona followed by the Ivrit B’Ivrit NaCh Class with Avigail and Religious Zionism and Jewish Philosophy with Rav Alan. In the evening we watched a documentary about the establishment of the State of Israel.

On Wednesday, after our regular classes we had our art mini course with Shira where we learned how to crochet.

On Thursday, we learned the Halachot of the 10th of Tevet in preparation for the fast day.

On Sunday afternoon, December 19, we experienced a very meaningful visit to Yad VaShem.

On Monday, we had a special guest on the Midreshet Devora Radio Show- Sara Wolf from HydroChic.

On Wednesday we had a great cooking night with Eris.

For Shabbat the students went with BatSheva to her parents yishuv.

On Sunday afternoon, December 26, we explored the Industrial Zone of Talpiot and discovered trendy clothing as well as great food just a few blocks from the midrasha.

On Tuesday evening we saw the film James Goes to Jerusalem

On Wednesday evening, we made quiches.

On Thursday evening we had an inspiring class with Ami Hordes.

The last week of the semester the students made presentations in each of their classes.

We went on a tour of the Kotel Tunnels with Myrna Halickman who was visiting from Montreal.

On Tuesday evening, we went to hear Gila Manolson, author of the magic touch speak in the old city followed by ice cream and Maariv at the kotel.

We went to Mizmor L’David for Shacharit on Rosh Hodesh Shvat which marked the last day of the first semester.

The students enjoyed a restful vacation where they had the chance to go to Beit Meir for Shabbat as well as attend the Maccabeats first concert in Israel!

This week is Hebrew language and environmental week in honor of Tu B’Shvat.

We will kick off the week with a community Tu B’Shvat seder.

Have a great Tu B’Shvat!

www.midreshetdevora.org

Midreshet Devora

Give us a call 718-593-4162 in the US & Canada, 052-534-6260 in Israel

Midreshet Devora -Chanukah Update!

midreshetdevora — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 22:38:50 +0000

www.midreshetdevora.org

Midreshet Devora Update- Last Week of November 2010

The last week of November has kept the Midreshet Devora students very busy with lots of Torah study, tiyulim and Chesed Opportunities.

On Sunday, November 21, after their morning classes, the students went with our art teacher, Shira Sack to a home for girls ages 13-18 from broken homes in Mevaseret called ”Orr Shalom”. We made beaded and thread jewelry with them and they really enjoyed it – they asked when we are coming back! Orr Shalom is Israel’s largest non-profit organization providing residential and therapeutic services to children who have been removed from their homes due to severe abuse and neglect.

On Monday, the students spent their time in between Sharona’s Women in TaNaCh class and Rav Jonny’s Kashrut class teaching Parshat HaShavua to women in their 80s and 90s at a local senior residence called Mishkenot Arnona, helping young men and women with special needs make candles, soaps and aprons at a factory called “Shekel” here in Talpiot, volunteering as a hospital clown and broadcasting on Midreshet Devora’s radio show.

SHEKEL, Community Services for People with Special Needs was founded in 1979 to develop services in order to enable people with disabilities to enjoy a better quality of life and integrate naturally in the community. Shekel sells gifts and ornaments, decorative candles, aromatic soaps, tablecloths, embroidered aprons, bags, throw pillows and many other beautiful items. All products are handmade by workers with special needs in SHEKEL’s factories.

On Tuesday, the students studied modern Israeli poetry on the topic of Akedat Yitzchak, the binding of Isaac as well as Navi, Jewish Philosophy and Religious Zionism. In the evening we watched a film about Rashi.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the students went to the Galil with our tour guide Ezra Rosenfeld.

On Friday night we had a full Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie.

On Sunday afternoon, we went to Yemin Moshe with Rav Alan.

In the evening we went to a special presentation in Hebrew called “Vayikara Shma B’Yisrael” with a panel discussion of what the title should be for a female spiritual leader. We liked the term “chachama” and even had a chance to vote at the end!

On Erev Chanuka we went to the Yerushalayim Shel Zahav nursing home with Sharona and her family where we painted jugs with the residents followed by a “Grape Juice and Cheese Party” in honor of Yehudit from the Chanuka story and an evening of candle lighting, latkes and sufganiot.

We are looking forward to a fun and spiritual Chanuka in Yerushalayim and we are excited about seeing “101 Dalmations The Musical” on stage in Hebrew on the last day of the holiday!

Wishing you a Happy Chanuka 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 November 20, 2010

midreshetdevora — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 09:37:09 +0000

Apply to Midreshet Devora Right Now for the 2011-2012 Year!

Check out the Midreshet Devora Radio Show-Mondays from at 2pm Israel Time, only at http://www.midreshetdevora.org/

On Sunday, October 17, after their morning classes, the young women had the opportunity to visit the old city with Etan as part of the Jerusalem Experience.

In the evening, they had a chance to hear Shani Taragin speak at Bet Knesset Ramban followed by soup.

On Monday we had a combination of classes and Chesed opportunities as well as a Karate class in the evening.

On Tuesday, after our regular classes, we heard from our guest speaker Josh Hasten about the situation in Sderot.

On Wednesday, after the morning classes we took our canvases out to the Tayelet with Shira and painted the view of the old city.

In the evening we had our gourmet cooking class with Eris where we made all kinds of dairy delights!

On Thursday evening, we had a special class with Ami Hordes.

On Sunday, October 24 we began to study about Chevron in honor of our visit later in the week. In the afternoon we visited the Begin Musuem which is actually in our neighborhood!

On Monday, Emily and Ariel launched “The Midreshet Devora Show” on www.israelsportsradio.com where they did an interview with Sharona Halickman, Rosh HaMidrasha as well as played music, discussed the Parsha and spoke about what they have been learning at Midreshet Devora.

On Tuesday, after our regular classes, we had the pleasure to hear from Judy Balint, author and lecturer who spoke about Jerusalem’s neighborhoods.

On Wednesday, we spent the whole day in Chevron with Simcha Hochbaum and the Chevron Fund.

In the evening, the students baked a beautiful cake for Dov’s birthday and celebrated at the Halickman home.

On Thursday evening, we had a special leadership class with Yardena.

On Sunday, October 31, after out morning classes, the students visited the Davidson Center with Rav Alan.

In the evening they went to play Soccer at Gan Sacher.

On Monday, after our class on Tefillah the students split up to go to their different Chesed projects- working with people with special needs, senior citizens, hospital clowning and The Midrshet Devora Radio Show! followed by Rabbi Simkovich’s Jewish Philosophy class.

On Tuesday, we studied Midrashim about Akedat Yitzchak followed by NaCh with Avigail, Religios Zionism and Jewish Philosophy with Rav Alan.

In the evening we participated in a Chat and Chocolate baking class with Miriam our Madricha.

After Wednesday’s morning classes the young women studied art with Shira and participated in a relaxing Meditation class in Hebrew with Rachel Ashur.

On Thursday, November 4, we studied Parshat HaShavua based on the teachings of Nechama Leibowitz and each student wrote her own Dvar Torah connecting the Parsha with life in Israel today.

After Hebrew, Talmud and Questions and Answers with Rav Jonny we went on a cultural outing to see a concert at the Jerusalem Theater: A Package from Home with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra.

We kicked off Rosh Chodesh Kislev with inspirational davening at Mizmor L’David followed by a shiur about How Rosh Chodesh Became a Woman’s Holiday. After Rav Alan’s classes we went to Maalit HaZman- Jerusalem Time Elevator followed by Women’s Soccer.

The second day of Rosh Chodesh we went to the Kotel for Shachrit where the students received “Bat Mitzvah” certificates, enjoyed a beautiful walk back to Baka followed by Chesed opportunities and Jewish Philosophy with Rabbi Simkovich.

On Tuesday, after our regular schedule we had a class on Shabbat Make-Up with Emma, a make up artist in Baka.

After our Wednesday morning shiurim we spent the afternoon with Shira working with clay followed by Chinese cooking with Eris.

On Thursday, we enjoyed our regular shiurim and prepared for an out Shabbat.

On Sunday, November 14, after learning about the Biblical Importance of Israel with Sharona and Ariel’s mom who was visiting from Seattle, the students went with Rav Alan to the Israel Museum.

On Monday, we studied about Women’s Obligations in Prayer followed by Chesed and Jewish Philosophy.

On Tuesday, we had regular classes followd by a special class with Ami Hordes.

On Wednesday, after studying about Women’s Hair Covering we went on a tiyul with Miriam to Elat where we stayed in a really nice Hotel (Isrotel), went out to eat, went boating and saw the observatory.

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 October 12, 2010

midreshetdevora — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 21:26:56 +0000

Midreshet Devora Update

We have had a busy few weeks at Midreshet Devora

In addition to our regular classes we participated in special activities leading up to Yom Kippur and Sukkot.

On Monday, September 13, we visited the Yerushalayim Shel Zahav Nursing Home in Talpiot where we made decorations for their Sukkah! The residents were happy to see us and spend time with us.

In the evening we went to a special lecture with Rabbi Brovender of the Web Yeshiva called: Does Tshuva Always Work?

On Tuesday evening we went to a special Slichot concert for women who are studying in Israel for the year.

On Wednesday we participated in a Bibliodrama cultural mini course with Lisa Coren Lawrence.

On Thursday, Rav Jonny taught a special class called Spiritual Preparation for Yom Kippur and Sukkot.

The students all joined Sharona and Josh Halickman for the Seudat Mafseket and davened at the shuls that they found the most spiritual.

On Sunday, September 19, after our morning classes we made candy sukkah which came out really nice and tasted really good!

Later in the day, Miriam, our Madricha took the young women to the Malcha Mall and gave them an opportunity to shop in Hebrew!

On Monday, Miraiam went with the students to the Lulav and Etrog Shuk where they had the opportunity to choose a Lulav and Etrog for the Midrasha followed by a Felafel lunch.

In the afternoon they had a meaningful experience at the Blind Museum in Holon.

Tuesday was the last day of regular classes before Sukkot.

On Sunday, Chol HaMoed, we participated in a TaNaCh Tiyul with Menachem Leibtag: In Search of the Mikdash and Monarchy- From Shilo to Yerushalayim

On Monday of Chol HaMoed we went with Ezra Rosenfeld to Sefer Yehoshua- The Entrance into the Land of Israel.

On Tuesday of Chol HaMoed the students visited Rav Alan’s Sukkah at Moshav Beit Meir.

On Tuesday night we participated in a Hoshana Raba learning program in the Sukkah with special guests from the community.

Most of the young women decided to stay in Yerushalayim for Simchat Torah where they were welcomed into the homes of community members and staff including Avigail Wiseglass our NaCh teacher.

Some of the students stayed in for Shabbat and had the opportunity to cook their own Shabbat meals in the Midrasha’s beautiful kitchen. They were honored to hear from our guest speaker Vickey Wu who spent Shabbat with us at the Midrasha.

This past week, we were back to our regular schedule of classes.

On Sunday, October 3 Sharona taught a class about Kever Rachel and then the students had the opportunity to actually visit and daven there later in the day!

In the evening, some of the students took the opportunity to play soccer in Gan Sacher.

On Monday, in the class called “Prayer” we are learning about women’s obligations in Prayer.

After class, we visited the Ramat Rachel Kibbutz where we taught a class about Parshat Noach (in Hebrew!) in the Beit Sababa Nursing Home followed by a tour of the Kibbutz.

Later in the day we studied Jewish Philosophy with Rabbi Simkovich.

On Tuesday, we studied Midrash with Sharona followed by NaCh with Avigail and Religious Zionism and Chassidut with Rav Alan.

In the evening we had a special program with Miriam where we integrated the movie The Lion King with Hilchot Tshuva.

On Wednesday, after learning about Sarah in Women in TaNaCh and Women Wearing Pants in Women in Halacha, we returned to Ulpan with Sarit. In the afternoon we studied Art in Shira Sack’s cultural mini course.

In the evening we cooked Israeli food with Eris: Schwarma, Chumus, Techina, Eggplant etc.

On Thursday, after studying the Parsha, each student wrote her own Dvar Torah to share with the class. Each speech was inspiring!

In the afternoon the students were excited to return to Nechama’s Talmud class in Masechet Brachot followed by Rav Jonny’s question and answer class where we have the opportunity to ask questions about Judaism.

On Thursday evening, we watched One Day in September with Josh Halickman, a movie about the Palestinian Terrorist Group Black September that holds Israeli athletes hostage in the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.

The students all went away for Shabbat and are looking forward to an exciting week ahead!

www.midreshetdevora.org

Midreshet Devora

www.midreshetdevora.org

Midreshet Devora

Midreshet Devora Update- August 30- September 12, 2010

midreshetdevora — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 21:50:42 +0000

Midreshet Devora Update- August 30- September 12, 2010

With much anticipation and excitement, the Midreshet Devora 2010-2011 students arrived in Israel on Monday August 30th. Josh Halickman greeted the students from all over the US and Canada at the airport. Some of the students even had the opportunity to meet David Blu, a basketball player for the Israeli National Team and Maccabi Tel Aviv who was returning to Israel from Montenegro!

Upon arriving in Jerusalem, the students moved in to their beautiful apartment in the luxury buildings on Derech Hevron and enjoyed a bagel lunch.

In the evening we walked to the Kotel and spent time in prayer and introspection.

After the Kotel, the students were treated to ice cream in the Jewish Quarter before returning to Midreshet Devora.

After our Tuesday morning orientation, the students had their first Zionism class on site at the Tayelet with Rabbi Alan Goldman- only a block away from the student apartment!

On Wednesday, we had the honor of hearing a special guest speaker, Lisa Aiken, noted author, who spoke about Prayer and the High Holidays.

In the afternoon, Rabbi Jonny Gordon taught Kashrut in the Kitchen.

In the evening Leah taught a class which combined shopping in the supermarket, cooking dinner and learning about the High Holidays.

On Thursday, Sharona gave a class on Women, Prayer and Rosh Hashana followed by Introduction to Hilchot Shabbat with Rabbi Josh Kanter.

In the afternoon, the students met Sarit the Ulpan teacher. The young women are looking forward to improving their Hebrew.

Nechama taught the first Talmud class of the year and then the students went to Tel Aviv to see the Israel National Team play soccer!

On Friday morning, the students went with Josh Halickman on a trip called “Shabbat Yerushalayim” where they saw first hand how Jerusalem prepares for Shabbat in the Machane Yehuda Market, Mea Shearim and Downtown.

The students spent Shabbat in Talpiot eating the meals at Sharona and Josh Halickman’s home and davening at different shuls in the neighborhood.

After Shabbat we went to Slichot at Mizmor L’David and were treated to fireworks from the Kochav Nolad- A Star is Born TV show that was being filmed at Sultan’s Pool on our way home.

On Sunday, Sharona taught a special shiur called “Returning to God, Returning to the Land of Israel” followed by Avigail’s NaCh class where they studied the Book of Yonah and Rav Josh’s Shabbat class where they began to work on the Laws of Shabbat in the Shulchan Aruch.

On Sunday afternoon the students went with Rav Alan to Ir David where they enjoyed walking through Chizkiyahu’s dark water tunnel.

On Sunday evening we packaged Rosh Hashana gifts for lone soldiers at Merkaz HaMagshimim.

On Monday, we studied the Rambam’s Hilchot Tshuva with Sharona and volunteered at the Meir Panim Soup Kitchen. In the afternoon we had Jewish Philosophy with Rabbi Moshe Simkovich.

On Monday night, we went to an inspiring shiur in Katamon given by Rebetzin Shira Smiles.

After our Tuesday classes the students worked with Miriam, our Madricha to plan out what they would be shopping for and cooking for Shabbat lunch.

On Wednesday, the students prepared for the Rosh Hashana/Shabbat Shuva holiday where they had the opportunity to try out different shuls as well as eat meals with different members of the community.

On Saturday night the young women had the chance to go out and explore Jerusalem and get ready for the Fast of Gedalia where they will have a half day of classes.

We are looking forward to an exciting week.

A few things that you may want to check out:

Check out Sharona Halickman’s radio interview from last week about Midreshet Devora and Torat Reva Yerushalayim http://www.tcin.tv/

On Monday evening, 8pm Israel time, Midreshet Devora will be in the studio audience of Rabbi Brovender’s class on Hilchot Tshuva. Log on to the Web Yehiva, sign up for this free class and you can be there with us!

In conjunction with the AACI, Rabbi Brovender will be giving a lecture on

‘Great Jewish Thinkers: Maimonides’

Maimonides is considered one of the greatest philosophers in Jewish History. His work, “The Laws of Repentance”, summarizes all the procedures and essence of repentance, or Teshuva. Elul, the month leading up to Rosh Hashana, is a period of reflection on the past year, repentance for our actions and resolve for future growth. Rabbi Chaim Brovender, Rosh Yeshiva of WebYeshiva, will be examining Maimonides’ teaching on repentance, and discussing ‘Does Teshuva always work?”

Monday September 13, 2010 at 8pm (Israel).
The lecture will be presented in front of a live audience at AACI,
Dr. Max & Gianna Glassman Family Center, 2 Poalei Tzedek (opposite Hadar Mall, on the corner of Pierre Koenig), Talpiot, Jerusalem.

The lecture will be also be broadcast live and online at WebYeshiva.org.
Please click here to register. Offered as part of our free Elul Zman.

AACI src=”http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs095/1100352072508/img/76.jpg” width=602 height=92>

Shana Tova and Gmar Chatima Tova from Midreshet Devora!

Midreshet Devora