Welcome Back: Chaviva begins Year Eight!

Welcome back to a new school year—the 8th year of Chaviva High School!

After a long and fulfilling summer break, our halls were once again filled with the joy, energy, and excitement of Chaviva girls returning to school. It was a beautiful sight to see so many smiling faces, with friends reuniting in hugs and laughter. In true Chaviva fashion, we danced our new students in, surrounding them with warmth and spirit as they were introduced in our welcome circle before joining together for our annual school picture.

Following our first tefillah of the year, Mrs. Berkowitz shared an uplifting message about the power our students hold to make this year the best yet. She spoke about Elul as the Yemai Ratzon—days when Hashem especially longs for us to return to Him—and asked the girls: “What do YOU want in this moment for the year ahead?” The thoughtful answers, from deepening connection to Hashem to finding strength against distractions, set an inspiring tone for the entire school.

After a breakfast of bagels and chocolate milk, our Lev heads—Kayla Goldish, Aviva Klein, and Shira Schultz, under the guidance of Mrs. Malky Wolman—introduced this year’s theme: “אשרינו מה טוב חלקנו” (How fortunate are we to be part of the treasured nation of Klal Yisrael!). They led an icebreaker game designed to help students discover commonalities and form new bonds, reinforcing the theme of connection and belonging.

Students then had the opportunity to meet their teachers in a creative activity that captured the essence of the Chaviva classroom: the unique partnership between student and teacher. Using straws and pipe cleaners, groups built imaginative structures representing the balance of teacher support and student independence, followed by presentations that highlighted this important dynamic.

Our Nishmas leaders—Tzippy Chafetz, Basya Greenberger, and Rochel Leah Traube, under the leadership of Rabbi Menachem Tenenbaum—hosted their first activity of the year, an immersive experience addressing the pressures teens often feel to “do it all.” With the pasuk “אַחַת שָׁאַלְתִּי מֵאֵת ד’ אוֹתָהּ אֲבַקֵּשׁ, שִׁבְתִּי בְּבֵית ד’ כָּל יְמֵי חַיַּי”, they emphasized the importance of focusing on one thing at a time with true kavanah. Deep and thoughtful conversations followed, sweetened by a refreshing boba bar.

The day also gave students the chance to meet many of their teachers—from Chumash and Navi to Math, English, History, and Health—so that meaningful learning could begin right away on the second day of school.

We ended on an energetic note with the kickoff of 5K training. Thank you, Hashem, for the perfect weather and for students with such positive attitudes—ready to challenge themselves and embrace the truth that they can do hard things!