Visiting My Daughter’s Seminary

By Chaya Sara Gurewicz

Making the long trek from Chicago in January, to the deep white topped mountains of S. Agathe, Quebec, wasn’t my first choice of destinations for my little kids’ mid-winter vacation. But we decided we just had to visit our daughter in Seminary. After all, we thought, she deserved it. She is working hard, getting good grades, and truth be told, we all missed her like crazy.

So, we flew to Boston, saw my sisters’ family, then rented a car and drove up to S. Agathe. Despite the gashmiyus tircha of traveling, I must say the drive was magnificent. Snow covered mountains all around us, ice-falls, rivers and valleys. I never knew winter could be so breathtaking.

But what really took my breath away, was Seminary BMC. Every moment of being in the atmosphere of the dorm, the girls, the Carlebachs, was like being in Chabad of the “good ole days”! Chayus, love, warmth, going the extra mile, are all typical charachteristics of the sem. I felt like I was home. This seminary is truly a gem in Chabad.

Mrs. Chani Carlebach has the perfect balance of chinuch. She knows when to be a little strict, creating a pull to bring out each girls’ strength, and when to overlook, allowing each girl to grow on her own. The connection, the love, the learning are happening/alive/palpable. The program at BMC is exciting.

The girls have exceptional classes, both in Nigleh and Chassidus. Top notch teachers from Montreal commute different days of the week creating a varied program. Practical classes include child-raising techniques, tools for self esteem, and shidduch guidance. The dorm is huge and cozy at the same time. The girls keep it immaculate. There’s a large room with couches for studying, socializing and lots and lots of dancing! The girls are happy and in an environment conducive to bringing out their best.

The main thing about BMC that stands out to me is the tremendous hands-on shlichus experience the girls receive. The Carlebachs are the Rabbi and Rebbetzin of the local shul full of S. Agathians and vacationers. The girls are absolutely on shlichus there. Thursdays are for merkas shlichus – girls visit local homes and businesses doing mivtzoim.

The stories my daughter tells me about her mivtzoim warm my heart and make me so extremely grateful for these experiences. This is pure inspiration and connection with the Rebbe. Something that can not be duplicated in a classroom.

In todays generation, it is our obligation to connect our children with the Rebbe in a direct way. This connection takes them through thick and thin. The girls learn with mekuravim one-on-one and the mekuravim host melave malkas for the girls, giving them a taste of home and lots of fun. It is so beautiful how the community cherishes the girls. In shul, I met many of them and saw how much the girls mean to them. This is priceless.

Rabbi and Rebbetzin Carlebach are true-good old fashioned bittul Chassidim of the Rebbe, with an updated grip on what youth need today. They are perfect examples for the girls, living their lives with constant mesiras nefesh for yidden, yet such tremendous chayus.

This article would be remiss if I didn’t mention the physical beauty of S. Agathe. “Ma Rabu Maasecha Ha-shem!” I never ever knew winter could be so stunning! The quaint vacation town is full of pretty boutiques and stores, the landscape is breathtaking – mountainous, green and clean! The city is well taken care of with constant snow plowing and shoveling sidewalks to provide easy travel. The snow covering the city is pure white and reflects the bright sun. The cold is still and serene. Perfect environment for learning – away from the noise of the city.

Rabbi, Rebbetzin Carlebach, and your beautiful family, thank you for this year, it is a true gift for us. May Hashem, reward all of your mesiras nefesh for chassidishe chinuch, and bless the work of your hands with koach to go “mechayil el choyil” in your important work.