Online Classmates Meet

This past Shabbos a group of 11 5th-8th graders attending the Shluchim Online School gathered together for a grand Shabbaton at Chabad of Long Beach.

The Shabbaton was hosted by the Rapoport Family of Long Beach, California, with the help of Long Beach community and Hebrew Academy of Huntington Beach.

The get-together was an amazing experience for the girls to inspire and enjoy one another’s company in a Chassidish, fun and inspirational way.

As girls from various states such as New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma and California greeted each other, a tangible energy and excitement could be felt. Each girl received a beautiful welcome kit from The Shluchim Office and enjoyed a delicious supper at a Kosher restaurant.

Throughout the Shabbaton, the girls enjoyed exciting trips, crafts, learning, Farbrenging and inspiring stories.

“You don’t even need to prepare a program. It is enough of an exciting program just to see our friends,” said one 8th grader, Raizel. “You couldn’t even feel the gap between the 5th graders and 8th graders; it felt like one big family.”

On Friday their day began by virtually greeting their fellow classmates who could not attend the Shabbaton, and followed with activities prepared for them by the Hebrew Academy of Huntington Beach School. They met with fellow Shluchos from the Hebrew Academy elementary and middle school, were involved in workshops, met a US soldier, rolled in a hamster ball, played with life sized board games, went on a trip to arcades and more. Throughout Shabbos, they shared their unique Shlichus stories, farbrenged with one another, sang Niggunim and the school anthem and gave each other Chizuk.

Motzei Shabbos and Sunday were action packed with a video, a trip to 7-11, delicious pizza and Munchies, biking, Shoreline Village, Shaloch Manoses received and more. With all the laughter and friendships strengthened over the weekend, it’s no wonder that the girls found it so hard to say goodbye.

The girls were a constant inspiration to everyone who met them. The Hebrew Academy students were amazed and honored to have the students on their campus, and welcomed them with open arms. On Shabbos, they paired up with the Hebrew Academy’s 5th grade class for a program. With “Online School vs. bricks and mortar school” skits, games, and Shalesh Seudos, the Shluchim Online School students were true Shluchos for the 5th graders.

In Nagillah Pizza Shop, a Shliach gave the girls a $1 to spend at Munchies as a token of appreciation for the inspiration they gave to him.

The Shluchim Office would like to thank the Rapoport family of Long Beach, CA for hosting the Shabbaton and for making it a memorable experience for all those who participated. Thank you for being there from the day this Shabbaton was decided 5 months ago and helping with pre-arrangements, the itinerary, transportation, housing, inspirational Shabbos meals, and everything else involved with this Shabbaton.

The Shluchim Office would also like to thank the Engel Family, the Newman Family, Rabbi Engel, the Gollub family, the Hebrew Academy high school volunteers and helpers, Rivky Newman, Rabbi Greenwald, and the rest of the Long Beach community for being so welcoming. Lastly, thank you to the Hebrew Academy of Huntington Beach, for their major assistance in making the Shabbaton what it was.

Thank you to Rabbi M. Shemtov, Mrs. G. Rosenfeld, Rabbi Y. Goodman, Toby Herman and Mushkie Junik for all their involvement in giving this wonderful opportunity to the girls.