High Schoolers Draw Inspiration from Convention

Some 1,000 high school girls were in Crown Heights over the weekend to partake in the annual International Lubavitch Girls High School Convention, which was once again hosted by Beis Rivkah.

by A Convention Attendee

Wow! What an uplifting and inspiring weekend it’s been! After months of excited planning and preparation, the International Lubavitch Girls High School Convention was hosted by Bais Rivkah High School this weekend.

The convention included a mix of intellectual stimulation, inspiration, friends and much more.

It began with a bang on Thursday at 5:00pm, when schools from all over the US and Canada arrived at the beautifully decorated Bais Rivkah High school building to register and enjoy a delicious Chinese dinner. Immediately afterward, a grand welcome program took place in Bais Rivkah elementary school introducing the theme of convention – bringing Moshiach B’koach atzmo, with one’s own strength!

Upon settling down from greeting their friends from other schools, everyone was completely spellbound as they watched a live performance by the Bais Rivkah High School band and choir. Additionally, the girls were fascinated to watch a performance reenacting different Yidden throughout the ages who personified the theme of convention.

There was a scrumptious crepe bar along with many other refreshments, after which they were addressed by Rabbi Eliezrie, shliach and world renowned author of The Secret of Chabad. He spoke powerfully about the theme of this year’s convention, bringing Moshiach b’koach atzmo. The girls were really empowered to do all they can with their own unique capabilities to change the world around them.

The emcee, Bais Rivkah High School principal Mrs. Sheindel Tiechtel, dismissed everyone to downstairs of 770. As a preparation before entering the Rebbe’s room, several video clips were seen. Mrs. Swerdlov expounded upon them and inspired the girls with her powerful words.

They were then addressed by Rabbi Ben Tzion Krasniansky, Shliach from Manhattan. He spoke all about taking advantage of the important and special privilege they have to be able to Daven in the Rebbe’s room. After having this special privilege, nothing could have been more appropriate than to conclude the night with a farbrengen, hosted by the Rubashkin family.

Bright and early Friday morning, 1,000 girls entered Bais Rivkah High School to partake in an incredible day full of learning together and having a great time! After beginning with davening, the girls had rotations for the rest of the day.

They viewed magnificent exhibits created by the Bais Rivkah High School students, in which they learned from each of the Shevatims’ unique way of serving Hashem. They gained so much from the workshops, in which they explored the relevance of the theme of convention for their everyday lives.

There was a delicious brunch for all to enjoy, followed by a grand picture by photographer Chaim Perl, in which the girls had lots of fun recreating the convention logo.

After some time at their hostesses to prepare for Shabbos, the girls regrouped to light candles together and have a beautiful Friday night meal! Everyone sang Kabolas Shabbos and enjoyed a nice program leading straight into the meal. There was delicious food, and all the schools united in singing, creating a wonderful atmosphere of Achdus!

The girls were lucky to hear a powerful Dvar Torah by Mrs. Molly Resnick, in which she shared with them all about her journey to yiddishkeit. The girls partook in farbrengens after the meal led by Rabbi Manis Friedman, Rabbi Herman, Rabbi Teldon, and Rabbi Wolf that led into the early hours of the morning.

On Shabbos morning there was chassidus before davening taught by Rabbi Jacobson, accompanied by a delicious breakfast. After meals at their hostesses, the girls regrouped once again to receive answers to many questions that had been gnawing at their consciences, at crossfire with Rabbi Glick and Rabbi Silberberg. Then, they sat together for Seder niggunim, stirring their souls and being inspired in a way that only niggunim can inspire!

Motzei Shabbos the girls met up once again for an evening of fun and achdus! Starting off from a Hachlata balloon liftoff and Baal Shem Tov story told by master storyteller Rabbi Wilshansky, all throughout the joyous dancing at the end accompanied by live music from Benshimon, the atmosphere was just unreal!

The girls were lucky enough to view a performance by world renowned mentalist Mark Salem, which left them all spellbound! They then enjoyed a grand concert with singer Bracha Jaffe, and a delicious ice cream bar. Everyone left feeling really uplifted and looking forward to the final day together at convention.

Sunday was once again a jam packed day full of learning and fun! After a nice program as hachana l’ohel, the girls boarded the busses and were on their way. They received a delicious boxed lunch to eat on their way back.

Upon returning to Bais Rivkah, the girls had a lot of fun in store for them. They got to partake in a DIY workshop, led by a professional instructor. The girls painted their own magnificent canvases, or decorated their own cupcakes. There was also exquisite Jewelry making, dazzling, soap making, and some girls even got to learn fascinating face painting techniques!

They then joined a JLI class on the selected topic of their choice, led by JLI instructors Rabbi Herman, Rabbi Raskin, Rabbi Schapiro, and Rabbi Kravitsky.

Chassidim never say goodbye! As a grand conclusion of this empowering weekend, after participating in a Hachlata auction and before continuing on in their mission to change the world, the girls were welcomed to a banquet with opening remarks from emcee Mrs. Gitty Rapaport.

The decor of the room was an atmosphere of elegance and extravagance, and infused with the powerful positive energy by the mere fact that there were over 900 girls present! Rabbi Chaim Shaul Bruk, Shliach to Bozeman, Montana, enlightened all and empowered them with his eloquently expressed words demonstrating the significance of each individual’s own power to prepare the world for Moshiach.

His words reached straight to the girls’ hearts and motivated them to think about how they can really do things in their own life, in line with this motto of  B’Koach Atzmo.

After some exciting video presentations, the girls were addressed by some of their very own schoolmates. They each shared how they used their own talents and life circumstances to do all they can to make this world a better place and bring moshaich, specifically in whatever way they’re best at!

To end off the evening there was a grand roll call which clearly highlighted the Rebbe’s impact on the world with all the chassidim, extensions of the Rebbe, dispersed all over the world. The girls broke into dance concluding the evening rejoicing with their fellow chassidim and bidding farewell until they would meet again once more

As a souvenir, each girl received a picture of the DIY convention logo made out of their very own faces, something they will all cherish!

Thank you to Rabbi Stock, Rabbi Wolf, and Mrs. Tiechtel, without them convention would not be!

A special thank you to the heads of convention:  Mrs. Sara’le Blau, Sara Basya Jacobson, Shaindy Elgarten, Mushka Butman, Malky Itkin, Goldy Itkin, Manya Dubrawsky, Geula Katzman, Leah Olidort, Mushka Paltiel, Chana Abelsky, Cherry Alroy, Shaindy Berkowitz, Chanie Chesney, Rivka Cohen, Rikki Ezagui, Raizel Garelik, Dassi Gansbourg, Rosie Hurwitz, Shaina Krasniansky, Devorah`le Lebovic, Rochel Lerman, Chaya Dvora Nelken, Rivka Gittel Newman, Mushka Oster, Leba Raksin, Chaya`le Sorkin, Mussia Spielman, Shevy Werner, and all of Bais Rivkah Twelfth Grade for the countless hours and devotion that they invested in this convention.

Thank you to the Bais Rivkah principals and teachers who gave us the opportunity to work on this awesome Convention. Thank you to Rabbi Tzvi Fass and Gil for all your help with exhibits and much more.

Thank you to all the families of Crown Heights who graciously opened their homes to host girls for convention!

And finally, thank you to the Bais Rivkah students for all your time, work, and effort. Without each individual’s help, convention 5777 would not have been the same!