Achos Online Israel Trip Inspires Unity

Hadassah Arnold is a Lubavitcher girl who attends school in Beis Yaakov, a program called Achos Online helps keep her connected to friends and Mivtzoim. Last week, along with fifteen other girls from 3 different states, she spent six days touring Eretz Yisroel.

by Hadassah Arnold

Last week, along with fifteen other girls from 3 different states, I spent six days touring Eretz Yisroel. We started off with spending Shabbos in Tzfas. Then, came Lag B’Omer in Meron; where the achdus, simcha, and kedusha were indescribable. We went to the Kevarim–Rashbi, Arizal, Reb Meir Ba’al HaNes, Rambam, Me’aras Hamachpaila, Kever Rochel, Kever of Rebbetzin Menucha Rochel, and the Kever of the wife of Rabbi Akiva.

We got to know Eretz Yisroel from top to bottom; we became acquainted with the Golan Heights via jeep, with Teveria via boat, with Midbar Yehudah (Masada, Ein Gedi, Yam Hamelach) and Yerushalayim via foot, and everywhere in between via bus.

And although we started off the trip as a group of individual girls from various schools and of various ages, by the time we were a day into our trip, we were all completely b’achdus. You couldn’t tell who was from where or who was in what grade; all that mattered was that we were having fun and growing together.

But this trip, which meant taking a week off of school, was not just meant as a fun vacation. It was a reward for a year of effort and ultimately growth–a reward for participating in the Achos Hatmimim Program.

Fifteen out of the sixteen girls on the trip learn in mainstream Lubavitch high schools. But the sixteenth girl, me, attends Bais Yaakov. Still, I was given the opportunity to be part of Achos Hatmimim thanks to a very special group of girls who run a very special program, (and work very hard to raise funds for it).

This program – Achos Hatmimim Online – is a branch of the Achos Hatmimim program run in most Lubavitch schools throughout the world. Achos Online is for Lubavitch girls like me, who for whatever reason, do not go to a Lubavitch school.

It runs very similarly to the regular Achos Hatmimim program, albeit with a few tweaks. At the beginning of the year, each member of Achos Online receives a PT or Personal Trainer. The PT is a student in a Crown Heights school who is well acquainted with the Achos program and serves as a mentor. Each girl receives a checklist designating various areas to work on.

Throughout the year, the girl works on herself, marking off her weekly points and sending them into her PT. In addition to the daily checklist, there are weekly Sichos emailed out, conference-call farbrengens for Yoma D’Pagra, bonus missions (such as mivtzoim, listening to a daily niggun, etc), and even occasional raffles. All of the above help facilitate growth in a fun and easy manner.

I have been a part of Achos Online for the past two years. Both years have been ones of growth, both in general Ruchniyus as well as in Chassidishkeit. For example, I now try very hard to say a bracha acharona from a siddur, write a monthly Duch to the Rebbe, and learn a daily Moshiach thought. If not for Achos, I probably would not do any of those things.

Achos Online is perfect for any girl who wants to become a better person. It is the perfect way for girls such as me, whose school does not offer them a chance to grow in Chassidishkeit, to become more mekushar to the Rebbe. Thank you to Rivky, all the PTs, and everyone else who helps out with Achos Online for helping me and so many others to become who we are.

Thank you to Beis Rivkah – primarily Mrs. Teichtel, Mrs. Bracha Filler, and Mrs. Moshiach – for making it possible for us to join the amazing trip to Eretz Yisroel!

And thank you to all those who have donated and sponsored; you help make it happen!

For questions, to sign up for 5774, or to donate: achosonline@gmail.com