On 11 Nissan Students Asked how to Choose a Present

“How do you choose a birthday present?” was the question Mrs. Yehudis Wolvovsky asked students Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy in Longmeadow, MA. Mrs. Wolvovsky is a Shlucha in Glanstonbury, CT and her children attend LYA.

The students answered her question that it depends on the age of the person, what the person likes, and how close you are with them. Mrs. Wolvovsky then produced a large, gift-wrapped box.

Mrs. Wolvovsky explained that it was the Rebbe’s birthday. The Rebbe told us that for his birthday he did not want gifts. Instead, he asked that people choose a mitzvah to be better at than before.

Mrs. Wolvovsky shared stories of the Rebbe with the students and highlighted how the Rebbe cared about each individual. “Once a girl with a doll in her hand came to the Rebbe for dollars”, Wolvovsky told the children.

“The Rebbe handed her a dollar for herself and one for her doll. The doll was important to that little girl and therefore important to the Rebbe as well.”

After speaking about the Rebbe and his impact on the world, Mrs. Wolvovsky challenged the students to give the Rebbe a birthday present that he would enjoy. “The Rebbe cared for every individual and our presents should reflect upon his life’s work”, she reminded the students.

Mrs. Wolvovsky even shared her personal gift for the Rebbe this year. “I will learn more chasidus, because that was important to the Rebbe and therefore it is important to me.”

Many students at LYA will be giving extra Tzedakah, sharing with their friends and acting kinder to siblings. Other students pledged to daven with more concentration, daven extra tehilim and learn more Torah.

Each student wrote down their present on a paper with their name and mother’s name. The “gifts” were then placed in a large gift box that will be read at the Ohel. Students enjoyed a cupcake dessert for lunch sponsored by Joyce and Tyler Kimball.

LYA is accredited by NEASC, The New England Association of School and Colleges and is a Leader in Me school. An LYA education offers excellence in Judaic and secular studies for toddlers through eighth grade with individualized attention, as well as providing family education, and holiday programming.

For more information about LYA or to schedule a tour, please call 413-567-8665 or log onto www.LYA.org. Check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LubavitcherYeshivaAcademy.