Leora Fenster is from Lawrence, New York. She went to SKA for high school, then spent a year at MMY and is now in Stern. Leora went on Michlelet as a camper and is so excited to be back as a Madricha! Leora’s Chabura is called “Embodying the Torah: Using our Spiritual Bodies to Serve Hashem.” In this Chabura we connect different parts of the body to different middot and focus on them. For example: eyes correspond to Ayin Tova and the mouth to using proper speech.
Leora’s Chabura is made up of 5 amazing girls: Eliana (SKA), Mayana (Bruriah), Shana (Hanna Sacks), Shira Rivka (Hadar), Zahava (MHS).
What was your favorite trip on Michlelet and why?
Eliana: My favorite trip on Michlelet was when we hiked Masada. We got up really early in the morning and slept the whole bus ride, but when we woke up we saw the gorgeous view and sunrise around us. At the top of the mountain as well, the view was astonishing and it really gave me a greater appreciation for the world Hashem created for us. “מה רבו מעשיך ה׳”
Mayana: My favorite trip on Michlelet was when we visited the Kotel. It was my first time ever at the Kotel, and so it was especially meaningful to me. I was walked up to it with my eyes closed, and when I opened my eyes I felt like I was home. I walked up to it and I davened Mincha, and it was the most meaningful davening I have ever had. I’m so grateful that I was able to have this experience!
Shana: My favorite day on michlelet was the technology yom iyun. The speakers were amazing and so were the madrichot’s classes. Instead of telling us to fully get rid of technology we were taught that technology can be used for the good and how.
Shira Rivka: My favorite trip on Michlelet so far was medical clowning. To see the joy of the patients in the hospital, as we were having fun, was an amazing experience. Not all chessed is always fun and enjoyable. Sometimes it is even hard and challenging. In the case of medical clowning, however, what stuck with me the most was the fact that we had fun while we were making the patients’ day. I had the privilege of going to the cardiology ward of the hospital and distributing food and drinks to the patients. The feedback we got will stay with me forever. Even with the language barrier and a limited amount of speaking, we saw the tremendous impact we made on them. Chessed, no matter how easy or hard it is, can change the recipient’s life for the better.
Zahava: Although this summer was packed with so many amazing trips, my favorite trip was when we went to Ein Gedi for the day! The bus ride along the Dead Sea was gorgeous, the hike itself was so pretty and the waterfalls were extremely refreshing. What I enjoyed most about the trip, however, was when everyone sat down in a circle in the water and we had a beautiful kumzitz!