YULA Seniors Israel Trip

YULA Boys Division Seniors had an inspiring trip to Israel, during which the boys visited Yeshivot, met with gedolim, davened Vasikin at the Kotel, had a blast, and were inspired! A special highlight included a senior and alumni shabbaton with over 65 participants in the Old City, where they davened Friday night together at the Kotel, and concluded the shabbaton with an inspiring seudah Shlishit with singing at the Kotel. Thank you Rabbi Abramczik and Rabbi Baalhan- ess for leading the trip!

YULA Girls Division Seniors had their own inspiring trip to Israel led by Mrs. Hershoff, Mrs. Siegel, Ms. Shandalov, and Rabbi Sufrin. During this trip, they explored various seminaries, visited YULA alumni, visited kvarim, and davened at the Kotel. This was a great way for the students to get familiar with seminaries that they will attend next year and was a great and unforgettable experience.

Members and friends of YILA welcomed Shabbos Shira with a Friday night Seuda attended by 130 people. Singles, married people, and families with children enjoyed the homemade meal and the warm, friendly atmosphere. People commented that it felt like being at their own Shabbos table with 130 family members and friends.

Rabbi Dovid Thaler, Rav of YILA, talked about how appropriate it is in this year of Hakhel to have everyone get together like this. Mendel Levin, president of YILA said ‘We intentionally don’t invite just one particular group or age range to our Friday night Seudos, so we always end up with a beautiful mix, which makes it so special. A mother of four young children pointed out that except for when they are with her parents or in-laws, it is almost impossible to be with other young families for a Shabbos meal. And there are always surprises. An older lady who comes to daven with us on Shabbos mornings joined us for the first time. She told me that she was crying at the table. She didn’t grow up in a religious home, and even as an adult, she has never in her life been at such a meaningful Shabbos meal. A woman who became a baalas teshuvah many years ago in Russia told me that before she left she had been at big Friday night dinners at Chabad in Moscow, but she has never experienced it in the 18 years since she left Russia, until this Shabbos at YILA.”

Special guest Rabbi Reuven Wolf joined the Melava Malka after Shabbos. Live music was provided by guitarist Yehuda Masjedi, which turned into a spontaneous kumzits that went on until 11 pm.