Above & Beyond: Preparing for the Yamim Noraim

As the year cycles forward and the Yamim Tovim approach, our school has been filled with meaningful opportunities to prepare, hosted by our Lev, Nishmas, and Chessed leadership groups. Each experience highlighted the beauty of the season and offered both practical and inspirational ways to connect to the days and maximize their unique potential.

The first Lev activity of the year brought the concept of Teshuva to life in a deliciously creative way. Students gathered to make cinnamon buns, infused with lessons of the season. As the dough rose, they reflected on how the Gemara compares the yetzer hara to yeast: puffing us up with ego and, if unchecked, spoiling the entire batch. But just as dough needs yeast to become bread, our struggles can be transformed into catalysts for growth. Punching down the dough became a mindful act, a tangible reminder of the power of teshuvah—deflating pride and redirecting ourselves toward humility and renewal. We are so gr8ful for the gift of teshuvah, a central focus of this season, and for the chance to connect to it in such a hands-on, meaningful way.

Our preparation extended into tefilah as well, with a focus on the unique gift of Yom Kippur. Together, we reflected on how the day’s deep tefilos are not meant to be a burden but a tremendous privilege—a chance to connect with Hashem and begin anew. Seeing Yom Kippur through this lens transforms it into a source of joy, a time when renewal and closeness are within reach for every one of us.

Chessed also took center stage with the launch of this year’s theme, Above and Beyond. Inspired by the idea of Lemaala Min HaTeva, the theme encourages us to push past our natural limits to help others. Students were greeted with star-sprinkled treats and iced coffee, setting a tone of joy and generosity. A new system was introduced for tracking acts of kindness, where each star sticker on the chart represents time devoted to chessed. These moments accumulate not only toward exciting weekly raffles but more importantly, toward a culture of giving that strengthens our community.

Finally, as the spirit of Sukkos approached, students came together for a vibrant Yom Iyun hosted by our Nishmas heads. The day began with creative bedazzling projects that allowed everyone to add a personal touch of sparkle and joy. An Ushpizin-themed escape room followed, filled with teamwork and meaning, helping students explore the depth of the chag interactively. To carry this inspiration into Yom Tov itself, each girl received a discussion packet with prompts and insights to share around the Sukkos table. The day concluded with a powerful talk on Simchas Torah, flowing into spirited dancing that left the room filled with energy and anticipation for the upcoming chagim.

Together, these experiences weave a tapestry of preparation—reminders to rise above, to refocus, and to rejoice. As we step into the holidays, we carry with us not only inspiration but practical ways to live with intention, to give with generosity, and to embrace the season with full hearts.