By: L. Halevi. Conquering the Slopes; Winning the Ultimate Race. In life, there are ups and downs, dips and plateaus, flatlines and revivals. Metaphorically, as well realistically, life is filled with challenges that need overcoming, conflicts that need resolving and trials that need overpowering.
Having the proper team, the appropriate training and the necessary stamina is the key to growth, development and ultimately to success.
Mesivta of Eatontown (MOE) led by the indefatigable Rosh yeshiva, Rav Sender Kaszirer, and the wonderful team of equally untiring Rebbeim is a truly unique institution. MOE is more than simply a yeshiva, it is a bastion of edification, where students are given the opportunity to develop close bonds with their rebbeim – and with one another – which remain with them well past their days in the Yeshiva, an unbreakable Kesher that guides them from adolescence through adulthood and beyond.
One of the key events which has become part and parcel of the MOE experience, on many levels, is the annual 2-day skiing trip to Vermont. Besides being an exhilarating excursion to the largest mountain on the East Coast, it is an opportunity for rebbeim and Talmidim to get to know each other on a much different, and deeper, level than is possible in a yeshiva setting.
The intense Ruchniyos that is present beneath the surface of the seemingly materialistic trip can peel away layers of inner-conflict and transform Bachurim in a short two days in a way that months of being in yeshiva cannot. The breathtaking fresh air of Achdus on the slopes can penetrate hearts and minds in ways that other environments simply cannot. Bachurim open up to their Rebbeim about areas of concern, and Rebbeim can navigate inner battles in a more relaxed and less intense environment provided by the mountain air.
This 2-day trip has proven to be a winning proposition for everyone that attends, and it is open not only to the Rebbeim and Talmidim of the yeshiva, but also to friends and supporters of the yeshiva, as well as their families. Far away from the rigors and stresses of everyday life, the trip offers 5-star hotel accommodations and three gourmet meals are served daily to warm everyone up after a day on the slopes. Three minyanim a day take place on the trip as well as remarkably uplifting Kumzitzes that last well into the clear mountain nights.
MOE encourages all its supporters to consider joining them on this year’s trip, which is slated to take place on February 12 and 13. Whether alone or with the family, it is a tremendous opportunity to see and feel first-hand how the yeshiva conquers the slopes – both literally and figuratively – and transmits life-lessons in how to navigate life’s inclines and declines with strength, stamina and a sense of belonging.
Come along and “Ski with MOE”, and experience for yourself the serenity of the slopes and the magic of Eatontown. There are various levels of participation, with packages ranging from “Easy run” through “Expert Run” and several sponsorship plans to help facilitate participation as well as raise funds for the remarkable activities of the yeshiva throughout the year. Visit www.SkiWithMOE.com for more details, galleries of past trips and to sponsor or register for this year’s trip.
Mesivta of Eatontown: Skiing Is Believing!
Click here to join the trip, or to sponsor a skier!
View a clip from last year’s trip
This is a great trip. And, btw, from the research I did, for parents of active Children, it’s K’maat a chiyuv to go skiing in the winter. I’ll race you down !!
Although I don’t necessarily agree with the above comment of it being a chiyuv for all active children to go skiing (I feel saying such comments, even as a joke can have the wrong effect) I think there is a different chiyuv associated with this article. That is, the chiyuv for us as a community to support this fantastic mosad haTorah! These are “Our” children, these are yiddisheh neshamos that we are ALL Achroi’ee for, and need to support those that help them. I implore each and ever person reading this article, whether you want to join or to sponsor (even just a few bucks, goes a long way). I have personally witnessed the massive transformation this Makom Kadosh had on bachrim who have attended the yeshiva. The Rabbeim are moser nefesh mamish for these kids, and we owe it to them, to see the yeshiva succeed.