Wow! What an amazing second Shabbos we had on Michlelet NCSY! The singing, ruach (spirit, energy), divrei torah (speeches), and atmosphere really made for a spectacular experience! For Melava Malka we had a great pizza making activity (yum!), which was interrupted by a flash mob dance by the second year (shana bet) girls and a "bride and groom" running in to break out the summer's long-term chessed (charity) project of making a wedding for a needy couple. It almost felt like a real wedding!

We started off the week on Sunday morning with homeroom, learning groups, and classes. In the afternoon we created our very own carnival with fun booths such as a pickle eating contest, find the coins in the flours, shave the balloon, face painting... and so much more! We were so happy to have a whole bus full of children from S'derot come and join us for an afternoon of much needed relief and fun. Their counselor commented to Mrs. Yudin that the kids loved it and were literally acting 'like different people'! We were so proud to be a part of that!

After the carnival, we headed off to Mini Israel to attend the annual Yom NCSY! We joined together with all the different NCSY programs to show appreciation for the incredible organization that is giving us the summer of our lives! We enjoyed a delicious barbeque dinner, seeing our friends on other programs, a fun concert and surprise fireworks! Thanks to all the people who made the night possible! It was so much fun!

Today, we were privileged to welcome girls from another amazing NCSY program, TJJ Ambassadors, to Michlelet! They came right after breakfast and joined us in our classes, learning groups, loads of activities, meals, and chessed (charity) project! It was so incredible to feel the unity between groups- even though we might appear different on the outside. Friendships were made and fascinating conversations were had! We all had a great time together!

In the afternoon, the TJJ girls helped us prepare for the bridal shower that we made for a very special kallah, bride! We decorated the dining room and wrapped the dozens of presents! When she arrived, we danced like crazy and had an incredible time celebrating with her! We wish her much mazal (luck) and bracha (blessing) as she starts the new chapter of her life. We are so happy that we are able to join in her simcha (happiness)!

We had an inspirational and emotional night speaker, Mrs. Sara Leah Haber, who talked to us about her life as the mother of an autistic child. She spoke about the challenges of it and the amazing parts of it and we were all moved intensely. She showed a video of another autistic child and his family’s experience. It was very eye-opening and we all enjoyed.

Michlelet 2011

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