8B in DC
From the moment we began davening at 6:30am on Wednesday morning through the ride home, there seemed to have been a constant flow of positive exchanges and demonstrations of Kiddush Hashem. Even amid any challenges or delays, the students showed maturity and resilience. Without comment or complaint, everyone stepped up to the plate, helped out, and we found ourselves back on track.
We take a moment to thank all of the students who showed great leadership in driving the learning and davening over the two days. Thank you to Yitzi Rosenbluth and Zev Wiener, our gabbaim, Nachum Pietruszka for giving last night's optional seder, and those who shared Divrei Torah - Shmuel Schrieber, Judah Vogel and Zev Wiener. But there were so many others who helped with the meals, demonstrated thoughtfulness for one another and pitched in whenever needed. Everyone did a fantastic job.
As the manager of the Char Bar remarked last night, "I'm very impressed with the derech eretz." Similar comments (without the Hebrew) was shared by the Capitol building tour guide and the staff at the Newseum.
One student felt that a peer was sitting alone by breakfast, so he motioned to him and said, "Why don't you come over and eat with us?"
Just the thank yous alone to the chef at the Hillel House, the servers at the Char Bar, and the drivers nearly every time we stepped off the buses!
One student could not make the trip due to being sick. While his Rebbeim purchased a gift for him in the souvenir store, a few boys said, "Oh don't worry - we chipped in to buy him something already!"
The DC trip was a resounding success. We are so very proud that our students not only enjoyed themselves, but created one Kiddush Hashem after another throughout the two day trip. While we are certain that the memories will last a lifetime, their deeds will last even longer.
