TABC kicked off Chanukah week with a fun and inspirational melave malka. Over 150 students attended the festivities on Saturday night, which began with dancing, followed by an inspirational address by Rabbi Yosef Sonnenschein, senior magid shiur at Lander College for Men. Director of Student Activities Rav Yitz Rabovsky introduced Rabbi Sonnenschein and noted how special it is—and unique to TABC—to have so many students come to school voluntarily on a Saturday night. Rabbi Sonnenschein then gave a beautiful shiur on Chanukah, highlighting the theme of overcoming challenges and recognizing that everyone has them. The boys then enjoyed Carlos and Gabby’s and capped off the night with an inspiring kumzitz, led by Rabbi Jake Berman and Aryeh Tiefenbrunn on their guitars. All in all, it was a great way to get in the Chanukah spirit and a perfect way to start the exciting week.
The fun continued on Monday right after davening, with a delicious breakfast feast co-sponsored by the TABC Parents Association (TAPA). Monday was also the first day of the student council’s ping pong tournament. The tournament, which has already raised hundreds of dollars for tzedaka, is creating lots of buzz in the hallways with brackets posted for all to see. The tournament’s winner will be crowned before winter break.
On Tuesday, freshmen and sophomores enjoyed special breakfasts at the home of their rebbeim, taking buses to communities ranging from Bergenfield and Teaneck to Fair Lawn to Passaic. Students had fun bonding with their shiurim and enjoyed music, divrei Torah, sports and more. The boys in Rabbi Kessel’s shiur feasted on eggs, hash browns, doughnuts, freshly baked cakes and an array of drinks. After the meal, Rabbi Kessel spoke about the relevance of the parsha to our daily lives and struggles. The shiur then changed and headed to the park for a kickball game! The sophomores beat the freshmen by a score of 2-1 on a dramatic walk off by Zevi Segal. It was a beautiful way to bond as a shiur and enjoy the Chanukah glow. Back at school, the juniors and seniors enjoyed a chagiga featuring Yossi Newman, followed by fresh hot latkes.
On Wednesday, student council ran fun competitions between faculty and students, ranging from basketball and football to chess to video games to ping pong.
On Thursday, Rabbi Menachem Penner, dean of RIETS, spoke to the 11th and 12th grades about different kinds of miracles and how there is no greater miracle than the fact that the Jewish people are still here, lighting candles for Chanukah. During Mincha, the student council presented their Chanukah auction, which helped raise thousands of dollars for tzedaka. Popular prizes were shabbatonim at the homes of rebbeim, gift certificates to various dining establishments and, of course, a Yankee game with Rabbi Adler. The program concluded with donuts from Krispy Kreme for all. Special thanks to Rav Yitz and Rabbi Stone, who along with student council leaders Charles Gibber ‘20 and Ezra Seplowitz ‘20, helped make Chanukah at TABC so special.
