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Avraham
was given ten tests throughout his lifetime, and one is mentioned at the very
beginning of this week’s parsha, Lech Lecha. Avram is told to leave his
homeland to a land that G-d will show him and where G-d will make him into a
great nation. This was a true test for Avram, as it is
very difficult for an individual to leave a place he knows as home
and to go to an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people. G-d intentionally did
not reveal the location immediately, so that the test would be even more
difficult and the reward all the more great. Avram made all the
preparations and efforts needed to leave with his family and then had to simply
trust in G-d that he and his family would settle and become the great nation
that had been promised.
This past Shabbat all of Yeshiva Atlanta embarked on a Shabbaton at Camp Blue Ridge. The Student Council, led by seniors Michael Lor and Yondi Kadosh, did an amazing job of planning every single detail of the weekend. This was a test of our YA leaders. They were asked to plan and organize the Shabbaton, but they were given little guidance or hand-holding. They put in great effort and made all sorts of preparations, trusting that they would be having an amazing weekend with their YA family. When we arrived at Camp Blue Ridge, an unfamiliar place, we were greeted by many new people who are not formally part of the YA family. We were honored to meet and hear from Mr. Bill Gris concerning the founding of the school, and from Mrs. Paula Gris concerning her inspirational life, and were excited to share Shabbat with them. We were also joined at the camp by many prospective students who were warmly welcomed as part of the growing YA family. We enjoyed wonderful food, good friends, zmirot, and an overall inspirational Shabbat together.
This past weekend’s success was a "test" of sorts that the student council passed with flying colors. It took a great amount of Hishtadlut (effort) to prepare for the Shabbaton and Bitachon (trust) that everything would work out in the end. When things that were out of their control, such as late buses and very cold weather, could have put a damper on things, they just took it in stride and trusted that everything would work out. And when things within their control didn't go as planned. their response was to put in extra effort to remedy the situation. In order to be successful in life, we need both of these qualities that we see demonstrated by Avram in this week’s parsha and we saw demonstrated by our students last weekend. We are hopeful that as the YA family continues to grow, we will continue to instill in all of our students the importance of these two traits -- Hishtadlut and Bitachon.
Shabbat Shalom,
Ariella Allen
This past Shabbat all of Yeshiva Atlanta embarked on a Shabbaton at Camp Blue Ridge. The Student Council, led by seniors Michael Lor and Yondi Kadosh, did an amazing job of planning every single detail of the weekend. This was a test of our YA leaders. They were asked to plan and organize the Shabbaton, but they were given little guidance or hand-holding. They put in great effort and made all sorts of preparations, trusting that they would be having an amazing weekend with their YA family. When we arrived at Camp Blue Ridge, an unfamiliar place, we were greeted by many new people who are not formally part of the YA family. We were honored to meet and hear from Mr. Bill Gris concerning the founding of the school, and from Mrs. Paula Gris concerning her inspirational life, and were excited to share Shabbat with them. We were also joined at the camp by many prospective students who were warmly welcomed as part of the growing YA family. We enjoyed wonderful food, good friends, zmirot, and an overall inspirational Shabbat together.
This past weekend’s success was a "test" of sorts that the student council passed with flying colors. It took a great amount of Hishtadlut (effort) to prepare for the Shabbaton and Bitachon (trust) that everything would work out in the end. When things that were out of their control, such as late buses and very cold weather, could have put a damper on things, they just took it in stride and trusted that everything would work out. And when things within their control didn't go as planned. their response was to put in extra effort to remedy the situation. In order to be successful in life, we need both of these qualities that we see demonstrated by Avram in this week’s parsha and we saw demonstrated by our students last weekend. We are hopeful that as the YA family continues to grow, we will continue to instill in all of our students the importance of these two traits -- Hishtadlut and Bitachon.
Shabbat Shalom,
Ariella Allen
