24
Wed, Apr

Emet Outreach Celebrates With Learning And Adventure On Chol Hamoed

Community
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times
  • 1 of 4

Educational, inspirational, and fun programming continued for Emet students over Chol Hamoed Sukkot. The fall semester of the Forest Hills Leaders Fellowship made its debut in the spacious Sukkah at Beth Gavriel. Students from multiple college campuses embarked on this introduction to Judaism class with their first evening of learning. After being treated to dinner and opening remarks by Rabbi Reuven Kigel, the young men and women broke off into smaller groups for in-depth learning led by Emet rabbis and mekarvos. It was a promising start to a highly anticipated semester.

In honor of Hoshana Rabba, Emet hosted a “virtual sukkah hop” – COVID style. Traditionally, Emet holds an evening of in-person learning, but this year students were invited to hear words of chizuk and bracha from all of the Emet rabbeim who were each based in their own sukkahs. The online format actually brought a more personal touch, since students were able to “visit” with their rabbeim and “travel” together from sukkah to sukkah. The event attracted over 1000 viewers on Zoom and Facebook Live.

Chol Hamoed wouldn’t be complete without a fun outing, and the Emet team delivered. A group of intrepid young men, accompanied by Rabbi Akiva Rutenberg and Rabbi Yakov Musheyev, set out on a paintball adventure with Shomer 360. Led by Captain Eilon Even-Esh, a self-defense expert who served in the IDF and U.S. Marine Corps, the group was occupied with team-building, sportsmanship and even some military strategy while competing on a challenging outdoor paintball
course.

“At Emet we are always looking to engage our students and bring Judaism alive. This Chol Hamoed Sukkot was no exception,” said Rabbi Akiva Rutenberg, Emet Co-Founder and Director. “We definitely have to be extra creative and cautious during COVID, but we will continue to host safe, socially distant and spiritually inspiring programming.”

 For further information about Emet programs and learning opportunities visit www.Emetoutreach.org.