Fathers Join Daughters for Day of Tanya Study

It was one of those rare scenarios for which words cannot do justice. On Sunday, Yud Kislev, if you entered the Bnos Chomesh Academy building here is what you would have seen: A large bouquet of purple and gold balloons gracing the building’s entrance, a sumptuous breakfast buffet of gourmet coffee, pastries and elegant fruit platters, a high grade copier furiously printing 120 copies of Tanya – the Bnos Chomesh Edition, fathers sitting with their daughters in every corner of the school learning b’chavrusa, and a display of gifts for the fathers.

But that wasn’t all. Following the Father-Daughter learning program, the event moved upstairs to the home of the Minkowitz family, where all were privileged to hear Rabbi Leibel Groner give firsthand accounts of the Rebbe. Rabbi Groner gave his eager listeners a glimpse of a life lived at the Rebbe’s side, and each story that he told illustrated the far reach of the Rebbe’s influence and the profound Ahavas Yisroel that the Rebbe felt and extended to every Jew. The program was rounded off with a heartfelt rendition of Sheyiboneh Bais Hamikdosh courtesy of Chazan Avi Albrecht of Baltimore, Maryland.

“The program, which was graciously emceed by BCA parent Mayer Preger, was the culmination of months of work by an incredible team of people,” said Mrs. Dena Gorkin, Prinicpal.

“For years we have been thinking about doing a father-daughter event, but we needed to find the best way to do it. The importance of a father’s involvement in his daughter’s chinuch and development cannot be underscored enough,” says Mrs. Gorkin emphatically.

“Finally this idea of having a learning program came together. We set up private stations for each family all around the school building. It was just heartwarming!”

“I was so inspired seeing all the fathers learning with their daughters. The pride that we each had was obvious,” said Dovi Andrusier, father of a tenth grade student.

“Hearing Rabbi Groner’s account of various events, and the Rebbe’s care for every detail of every Jew’s life left me with a profound desire to deepen my hiskashrus,” said one of the staff members in attendance. The students echoed this sentiment, with one ninth grader commenting “It helped us really see how holy the Rebbe is!”

Bnos Chomesh, now in its ninth year, continues to look for creative ways to inspire its students, parents and staff. Each student will receive a copy of the BCA Tanya with the school logo and her name embossed on the cover.

Following the morning program Mrs. Noemi Andrusier and Mrs. Henny Preger, ably assisted by Mrs. Chavi Eber, served a banquet lunch to the staff and students.