Throughout the halls of Yeshiva University High School for Girls (Central) last week, one word was on everyone’s lips: Shabbaton. The annual schoolwide Shabbaton, which took place this past Friday and Saturday, November 7-8, remains one of the most anticipated events of the year, uniting all four grades, faculty, and faculty families for a weekend of learning, laughter, and spiritual connection.
The YUHSG theme for the 2025-26 school year, b’chol l’vavcha u’v’chol nafshecha (“Full Hearts, Full Souls”), was reflected throughout Shabbaton 5786’s activities, helping students explore what it means to live with that concept in their daily lives. Central’s Director of Activities, Judaic Studies faculty member Mrs. Sydney Yaros, said that Shabbatonim provide a valuable opportunity for growth. “It’s a time to come together as a community – to bond and learn and sing and have fun,” she shared. “The Shabbaton theme this year is ‘Heart to Heart.’ A big part of our focus will be davening, and what it means to speak to Hashem both through davening and through more informal ways – and how central our davening is to our relationship with Hashem, and to figuring out our own individual paths.”
The weekend began on Friday morning, when students and faculty departed together for the Camelback Mountain Adventure Park. Upon arrival, students began a full schedule of spirited programming, including settling into accommodations at the Camelback Resort. Friday evening brought Shabbos, with candle lighting, Minchah, a welcome from G.O. Co-President and senior Shalhevet Koenigsberg, freshman and senior divrei Torah, a festive dinner, and the annual beloved YUHSG faculty skit, followed by an oneg and a panel for the senior Wildcats.
Shabbos day continued with more grade-bonding activities designed to strengthen the sense of community that defines YUHSG, including divrei Torah from sophomores and juniors, “Choose Your Own Schmooze” sessions with YUHSG faculty, a shiur, shalosh seudos and singing, and closing remarks from G.O. Co-President and senior Eliana Gomberg. Saturday night concluded with a Motza’ei Shabbos melaveh malkah, a DJ, and exclusive access to the Aquatopia Indoor Water Park. The group returned to the Holliswood campus on Sunday morning, rejuvenated and newly bonded.
There is no better way to begin the new school year than together: celebrating, connecting, and living the spirit of Shabbos as one schoolwide family. The calendar continues with Student-Teacher Conferences on Tuesday, November 11; the annual Freshman Family Panoply on November 22; and in-person Parent-Teacher Conferences on December 3.