During this
Hakhel year, following the Rebbe’s directive of gathering the masses, Mayanot hosted
its first ever Israel Alumni event on Sunday August 28th, 2016.
A family
friendly BBQ in Gan Sacher welcomed over 80 attendees and 30 children, across
from the location of the new Mayanot World Center, on 7 Ben Tzvi, in Jerusalem.
There were alumni present spanning over 20 years of Mayanot’s educational
programming. Many were excited to share their experiences from their Yeshiva and
Seminary days, and how their experience at Mayanot continues to impact them.
(From Left: Alumnus Sam Schubert and Rabbi Chaim Moss, Educational Director of Mayanot)
Sam
Schubert, originally
from Dayton, Ohio, made aliyah a few years ago and attended Mayanot in
2012. When asked to reflect on what he gained from his experience, he simply stated,
“I will only marry Jewish now”. Kira Waxler, an alumnus from 2013, enthusiastically
shared, “I never thought I would end up in a Yeshiva, but I ended up in Mayanot
and it completely changed my life.”Dr. Yoni Stanleigh stated that, “I found
that learning chassidus at Mayanot has helped me very much, to retain a
connection with G-d, Torah and the Mitzvot, and I am very thankful for that.”
Most of the
attendees have made Aliyah, and Israel is their permanent home, and were very
open about feeling supported by the Mayanot family and the friends they made
while they were learning.
Rabbi
Wichnin, the Rosh
Yeshiva of the Men’s Program, inspired the crowd with a beautiful explanation for
the idea of Hakhel and the important for all of Am Yisroel to unify and come
together in their love of a fellow Jew.
Mayanot is
very proud of their alumni, and their achievements, all over the world and are
very excited to do more of these types of events. To find out how you can host
a similar alumni gathering, in your city, please email: [email protected]
