Labor Day At Ohr Menachem Was A Full Day Trip
Elul, Chodesh Horachamim, the king in the field, 13 Midos Horachamim revealed, compared to Yom Kipur, it’s a very special time! Much like by any Hamshacha of Kedusha, the Klipa seems to try to taint it, in the case of ‘Labor-Day’ it’s a very blatant attempt.
At Cheder ‘Ohr Menachem’ in Crown Heights, the school is not ready to sustain a loss of our kinderlach’s purity, Taharas Hoeinayim and Machshava, or even to pause the very special spirit of Elul.
Every year the Hanhala – with some dedicated Melamedim – actually take boys out for a FULL day trip instead of taking a day off. From early morning until late in afternoon when the parade and parkway are cleaned.
This year was no different.
Early Monday morning we met and drove out towards at Kehillas ‘Chafetz Chaim’ Shul in Forrest Hills, Queens. Following a shiur Chassidus from the Menahel Rabbi Mendel Yusewitz drawing lessons from Choedesh Elul and a fervent davening, there was a scrumptious breakfast waiting for the yeshiva at the Queens Mesivta YTTL. So special to be greeted warmly and excitedly by our alumni.
Following breakfast, a quick Yasher Koach to the Menahel Rabbi Mendel Scharf and Hanhala Rabbi Zalman Sandhouse were off to our first trip: “Croton Gorge Park”
A beautiful hike thru Hashem’s Nature led by Melameim Rabbi Yisroel Botnick and Rabbi Chanoch Hecht. At the end of the trek, a real surprise awaits talmidim, Rabbi Dovber Bryski awaited talmidim with a huge bruchim haboim. What a surprise!
After witnessing the beautiful waterfall, and the climb back down the mountain, off we went for apple picking.
On the backdrop of apple orchards boys learnt some torah and a quick game with Rabbi Zalman Goldstein of OM Hanhala. After a wholesome lunch and after some background by Jesse the owner of the orchard, Talmidim began their preparations for Rosh Hashana. Every talmid chose the apples which he will be dipping in honey on that very special night of RH.
Apple picking was beautiful and back to the Shechuna we head full of chayus and refreshed to continue the Heilige Avoda of Chodesh Elul.
