Learning the vitality of Jewish prayer

A group of 10 Midreshet Shalhevet High School students took a train to New York City with Principal Esther Eisenman on Feb. 6, and it forever changed the way the girls pray and speak to God.

They were invited to participate in a day of study hosted by the Orthodox Union, designed to educate and inspire teenage girls to learn about Jewish prayer. They heard speakers Debbie Stone, Dr. Rona Novick, and Adina Shmidman, who discussed why we pray and the importance of prayer. Students broke off into groups to discuss topics such as what makes a prayer setting special, how to remain focused while praying and finding meaning in the words.

There was a pre-afternoon prayer session and the girls got to choose what section to take part in; an evening gathering, journaling, self-awareness, mindfulness, a story with a decision or learning to have inspiration every day. The girls also spoke with each other, and Eisenman, about what they learned and how they can use the new knowledge at school.The girls had so much fun learning about what makes prayer special and how they can feel inspired every day.

“I learned that [prayer] can work in more than one way; it can evoke emotion in someone and help find inspiration in that way and it can also be an outlet for one’s emotions,” said junior Eliana Hirsch. Junior Rivkie Elman said, “It was interesting, insightful, and one of the best things I think, is that it was not just a bunch of lectures. All of us were given the chance to voice our opinions on what we were discussing.” 

The girls thought about these seven questions during the discussions. What makes a good prayer space? What do you want to get out of praying? Why are you praying? What are you praying for? Do you know what you’re really saying? Do you say every word? What makes Jewish prayer meaningful?