On a recent Friday, Lubavitch Sparks High School hosted world-renowned speaker and author Rabbi Shais Taub for its weekly T.G.I.F. program. Sparks is a small, Crown Heights-based girls high school in its second year of operation, with a focus on giving each girl the individualized attention she deserves.
T.G.I.F. (a.k.a. Thank G-d it’s Friday) is the highlight of the school week. Every Friday, all the girls assemble in the lunchroom an hour before dismissal for a serious discussion on any number of topics of interest. Often, the series of conversations—on topics including financial literacy, Taharas Hamishpacha, Ahavas Yisrael, self-love/care, Tzedakah, mental health, emotional and physical well-being and simcha during challenging times—stretch over three or four-week segments. Most often, a speaker or practitioner renowned in the field comes to Sparks to lead the discussion.
For one T.G.I.F., Sparks staff wanted a discussion on the topic of “Why should we choose to do the right thing?” They thought, who better to discuss this than Rabbi Shais Taub? And they were right.
“I was blown away by the level of seriousness of the conversation,” said Rabbi Taub. “Although the girls also showed a lot of wit and humor, which I enjoyed, the intellectual and emotional content of what they were sharing was very deep.”
Rabbi Taub focused the lesson on extrinsic and intrinsic reasoning. Why, for example, should one come to school on time? One valid reason can be so that the student will avoid detention. This is an extrinsic reason, something one isn’t doing for themselves but to avoid the consequences. Another good reason can be to get the reward for following each girls’ individual achievement plan. This, too, is an extrinsic reason—done for the reward.
During the discussion, the girls were tasked with thinking of the true, intrinsic reason as to why one should do the right thing. What indeed is the intrinsic reason for doing a Mitzvah? The answer, in a nutshell, leads to who we are as individuals (an expression of G-d in this world) and what our individual mission is (make this world a home for G-dliness).
During the two-hour-long discussion with Rabbi Taub, all of the girls got a chance to think and speak for themselves, adding to this important discussion in their own unique way. “I wish that more of our youth had opportunities to learn in such a setting,” Rabbi Taub added.
Lubavitch Sparks High School still has a few spots open for its 9th, 10th and 11th grades for the upcoming 5782 school year.
For more information or to register please email Mrs. Roch Hildeshaim at rochhildeshaim@lubavitchsparkshighschool.com or visit lubavitchsparkshighschool.com
They teach them such important things wow!!! Like mental health, taharas Hamishpacha, Simcha etc. amazing amazing
this school is like no other from what it seems
A friend has a daughter in this school and they are bowled over by what an amazing atmosphere they have there and how closely they work with each girl! This is the girls high school Crown Heights has needed for so so long!
Hatzlacha!