The Bais Yaakov summer activities in Israel are off to a
great start. Following the success of last year's
experimental program activities have been expanded to the
other schools in Jerusalem and Bnei Brak and even to schools
in chareidi population centers in other parts of the
country.
Called Mifalei Kayitz, the summer program was started by an
association of donors from abroad headed by HaRav Dovid
Weinberger, the rov of Kehillas Shaarei Tefilloh of Lawrence,
New York, to meet the spiritual and social needs of Bais
Yaakov girls during their long summer break. The girls
generally have off from school during July and August. Boys
have a 2-3 week break between Tisha B'Av and Elul.
This important program took shape through the efforts of R'
Yaakov Mellehan and HaRav Weinberger and with the
encouragement of HaRav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz, and other
gedolei Yisroel who also signed the letter of support
he wrote.
The organization's activities allow high school and seminary
girls to enjoy a variety of trips, programs and creative
workshops at subsidized rates, and free of charge for 9th
graders.
Besides the recreation and the activities for seminary
students, during the Three Weeks the girls will embark on a
fascinating theme trip on the topic of Churban Beis
Hamikdosh. They will visit Jerusalem's Old City and other
sites, hearing absorbing lectures on the subject thanks to
the assistance of HaRav Shmuel Rabinovitz, the rov of the
Kosel Maarovi, and the program's staff members.
The project heads are grateful to R' Yechezkel Nussbacher,
who agreed to contribute his personal experience to the task
of directing the project, as well as the City of Jerusalem,
Mayor Rabbi Uri Lupoliansky, Deputy Mayor Rabbi Uri Maklev
and the heads of the Department for Chareidi Education, Rabbi
Binyomin Cohen and Rabbi Gershon Binet. The organization of
the project was greatly assisted by seminary principals Rav
Zeev Wolf, Rav Yechiel Mendelson and Rav Yeshayohu Lieberman,
all of whom made facilities available, as well as by the
seminary coordinators who worked extensively to help organize
the program.
