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Beth Rivkah Montreal Alumni Reunion in the Last Days of Hakhel

MONTREAL, Canada [CHI] — An inspiring and truly memorable Hakhel gathering took place on Sunday, 24 Elul (September 13th), in the Beth Rivkah Montreal auditorium. The event, an Alumni Reunion, was b”h an outstanding success and was attended by 200 former students and teachers. The participants were left with elevated spirits and a desire for more reunions in the future.

The highlight of the interesting program was of course the interaction between women of all ages, who absolutely delighted in the opportunity to reminisce and “catch up” with old school friends and teachers. Everyone was treated to a walk-through “memory lane”, by looking at the fascinating display of old school photos that lined the lunchroom and auditorium walls. There was also an exhibit of old yearbooks and photo-albums. The “World of the Jewish Woman Fair”, based on the three mitzvos of women, emphasized the common bond shared by all Jewish women.

During the tasty lunch, there were moments of laughter and moments of seriousness. Mrs. Solline Feld (Abenhaim), Alumni class of 1989, expressed her feeling that the uniqueness of the school is that it’s truly a place where students with diverse backgrounds and minhagim are made to feel like members of a single family.

Rabbi Yosef Minkowitz, long-time principal of the school, welcomed everyone and described his pride in the accomplishments of the hundreds and hundreds of graduates, many who are located throughout the world. He encouraged them to instill the values they learned in Beth Rivkah in their personal lives, and to inspire others to do likewise. He thanked everyone who helped contribute to the outstanding success of the reunion.

Rabbi Mendel Marasow, executive director of the school, asked the Alumni to remain committed to the school. Rabbi Eliezer Wenger, a well respected staff member, recited the Rebbe’s kapital tehillim and kapital chof.

The laughter and nostalgia were generated by both videos and a “Back to School” game, which was emceed by the hilarious Mrs. Yael Ostrofsky (Bouhana), Alumni class of 1991.

Valuable prizes were raffled off. Shoshana Sultan (Dahan), Alumni class of 1997, was the lucky winner of the grand raffle for an exquisite bracelet valued at $1000, donated by Mrs. Julie Gniwisch.

Each woman received a gift souvenir packet put together by Mrs. Rivkah Chriqui (Cohen), Alumni class of 1982, and a stylish fresh water pearl bracelet courtesy of Mrs. Gniwisch. However, everyone agreed that the greatest gift of all was the warm feeling of friendship and achdus that permeated the event throughout the program. It was easy to understand why the most popular comment was “This is amazing, we just have to do it again!”

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9 Comments

  • looks like great success

    too bad, i missed it. unfortunately for all us out of towners, wasnt good timing, we couldnt travel week of RH…

    Better timing next time :)

    kudos to all involved!!

  • grad 90

    very beautiful
    Rabbi Minkowitz does a wonderful job.
    Soline Its nice to see you you look beautiful!we spent a summer together “don’t even think about it!!”

  • Proud BRM Student

    Wow!!!!!!! So nice! Rabbi and Mrs. Minkowitz, thank you for all the wonderful years at Beth Rivkah! I wish I could have been there. The event looked absolutely beautiful and wonderful. Thanks to all those who put tim and effort into making it!

  • grateful student

    rabbi and mrs. minkowitz do it again!
    there is NO SCHOOL in the world like beis rivka
    the girls are so connected forever!

  • Wonderful feeling

    Wonderful Feeling

    It’s really wonderful to see all these former students feeling connected with “their” school and enjoying every minute of it. Rabbi and Mrs Minkowitz you’re the best!

  • AMAZING PEOPLE

    Kudos – to Rabbi and Mrs Minkowitz
    Their devotion knows no bounds
    So many of us came from not observant homes – but due to their love and dedication – they are true shluchim in every sense, so many of my friends keep taharas hamishpacha, shabbat and kashrut.

    No matter that how much time passes by i feel such thanks to this special couple that made us part of the chabad family

  • I love Beth Rivkah Montreal

    I love Beth Rivkah Montreal and what they have done to make my life a more meaningful and happy one.
    We should have a reunion every year or if not every two years.
    The girls in my class in Beth rivkah were from diverse backgrounds and we were all treated the same especially by Rabbi and Mrs Minkowitz.
    I miss it so much.
    We had Shabbatons and Melava Malka and all the chagim both Chassidic and classic Jewish were always made so special and exciting with interesting and fun programs for all the kids in the school starting from the first grades. I remember the Purim masquerades, we all got to feel like a million bucks up there on the stage.
    I really wish my kids could go there.
    This reunion was such a special idea.
    Baruch Hashem the Rebbe encouraged us to get together during Hakhel and Baruch Hashem the Rebbes’s Shluchim at Beth Rivkah took that directive and put it into action.
    O the days of olde…