Having fun and bonding at DRS's Shabbaton

One of the more anticipated events of the school year took place on Nov. 17-19, when David Renov Stahler (DRS) Yeshiva High School for Boys in Woodmere held its annual Shabbaton as sophomores, juniors and seniors, accompanied by their teachers and families, spent the weekend at the Mountain Laurel Hotel in White Haven, Pa.

Following the bus ride, students were treated to a lavish barbecue and participated in the annual Shiur vs. Shiur Trivia Challenge, during which the students’ knowledge of the Torah, DRS history, music, and pop culture were tested. After that it was time for recreation in the grand ballroom, which was transformed into an all-out game room, with ping pong tables, basketball hoops, and six big screens which hosted the Madden X-Box tournament.

Friday morning included a Torah lesson, a hearty breakfast and the Shabbaton Flag Football Tournament, where 13 games were played simultaneously. Then it was time for Shabbat dinner and speakers such DRS alumni Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin and Rabbi Josh Rosenfeld. Both have dedicated their lives to inspiring teenagers and serving the Jewish community. Bashevkin serves as the director of Education for NCSY, and Rosenfeld is the assistant rabbi at Lincoln Square Synagogue in Manhattan and a rebbe at Salanter Akiba Riverdale High School.

After some fun game show activities by grade, it was time for one of the highlights of Shabbat, the Friday Night DRS Tish led by Rabbi Yisroel Kaminetsky. All 230 students joined together in one section of the ballroom and sang well past midnight.

On Saturday, there was more food and Torah learning. Later on there was dinner and lively dancing. Shabbaton’s activities help to the students’ strengthen friendships with their peers as well as their relationships with the teachers.