If there’s one thing a Beit Midrash student looks forward to, it’s the annual Shabbaton. Beit Midrash students from 9-12 grade participated in their Shabbaton last January to visit the scenic Rama campsite.
“I personally feel like this Shabbaton is one of the nicest in Milken and it’s genuinely a reflection of Milken culture and values. I think it’s important to embrace our Jewish culture, even in a Jewish school,” said an anonymous student.
After the students and faculty arrived at Camp Ramah in Ojai, they gathered in the Beit Knesset (Synagogue) to get directions from Rabbi Saiger and the “Clipboard Committee,” (The group of students who created the events and timelines).
Students got free time and were able to make challah, make friendship bracelets, and play tennis and “Capture the Flag” with Itai Dali, our Shin Shin.
“I ran a game during one of the rotations and it was called ‘Krav Maga Kef’ (a fun version of Israeli Martial Art). There are two teams, and if you complete one of the missions, your team gets points.” said Itai Dali.
After a little free time, we unpacked all our stuff in our bunks and got dressed and ready for dinner. All the girls got ready in either jeans and a shirt, a skirt, or a cute dress and the boys in a dress shirt, and dress pants/jeans.
Rabbi Saiger assured that boys and girls would stay away from each other’s bunks, saying,
“Boys will not go into girls’ rooms and vice versa, even though I know you want to.”
Once everyone got prepped for dinner, they all came down to the Cheder Ochel (the site’s dining room) for ice breakers. Students, without talking, put themselves in order by names and then by birthday. We failed dramatically at both and then went around in a circle saying what our names and birthdays are.
After the ice breakers, we all ate dinner together.
“Dinner was fine, I just wish I was able to bring my own snacks so I wouldn’t have to rely on the food they gave us,” said an anonymous student.
The next morning, everyone got down to the dining hall to eat breakfast. There was yogurt, fruits, muffins, and cereal to eat. Once we finished, we started services at the Beit Knesset, people put on their Tzitzit and began praying.
The prayers were full of fun songs and personal time to reflect and feel the presence of Judaism in the room. Sadie Shulkind ‘29, Eva Pretzky ‘27, Lucy Shulkind ‘27, Noa Berrin ‘26, Meira Farkas ‘26, and Lila Shimansky ‘26 led the prayers.
“For me, prayers in Milken are different from what I practice in Israel. When I got there, I wanted to understand. When I started praying it was really weird for me, I didn’t really feel at home. But I still had an open mind and wanted to learn, ” said Itai.
For some students, it was their first time experiencing this kind of prayer.
“It is very Milken-y. A lot of it is very sing-songy and my Shul is more conservative. I don’t go to Jewish summer camp, so this is not my style of praying. I was a little thrown off, a little uncomfortable. It was a beautiful experience, but I am an outsider with the prayer,” said Madi Frank ‘27.
Once morning prayers ended, lunch arrived immediately, so everyone went back down to the dining hall and ate spaghetti and garlic bread. Some students found the schedule comforting.
“I’m used to this schedule. It’s standard for me because I go to Shul by myself.” says Madi Frank ‘27
When lunch ended and everyone was full to the brim, there was more free time for everyone to socialize with one another and do little crafts, play cards and relax on the grass.
“The activities were super fun, but I feel like we had a little too much free time. I did enjoy bonding with my friends in nature, but it felt a little run down with the free time,” another anonymous student said.
A couple hours later, all the students got the news that it was time to pack up their belongings to head home.
After the Birkat’ HaMazon (prayer for after eating), all the students joined in for Havdalah (end of Shabbat service) in the Beit Knesset.
Everyone gathered around inside, with the lights off and the doors closed as the candle was lit. We drank the traditional grape juice and smelled the spices. Then Rabbi Saiger strummed his guitar while the students formed a circle around the seniors with their arms around each other’s shoulders, swaying side to side.
“This was such an incredibly holy experience. Seeing all the students around the senior group was just a show of the amazing tradition that has stayed alive since I was a freshman myself. I felt G-d’s presence in the room dancing along with me, and I will forever remember the feeling and I will forever take it along with me in my college years and beyond,” said an anonymous senior student.