After Havdalah on Shabbat Parashat Vayigash, Ayelet Hashachar held its yearly meeting for the volunteers from the Men Chavruta project. Two hundred volunteers from the Modiin Elit area gathered for a unique meeting that units the volunteers and allows them to meet face to face with other volunteers and devoted staff from the project. The weekly contact is done by phone so the average volunteer can’t recognize the fellow volunteers. It is magical to see how often friends and neighbors find out they are involved in the same Mitzvah.

A Melaveh Malkah meal was set to honor the volunteers while Rabbi Mayaer Kesler, the head rabbi for Modiin Elit, spoke words of praise and encouragement for the work and devotion given by the volunteers who spend time and efforts to help and educate Klal Yisrael.

As the evening went on volunteers shared personal stories and experiences from the calls made with their Chavruta partners. One story stood out, one volunteer shared that after having the same Chavruta partner for six years he truly feels his Chavruta is his best friend even though they only met twice in person. After that story, the person filming the event walked up to the volunteer and said he was so touched by his story that he would like to know if he is willing to be his Chavruta as well.

Rabbi Rosen gave a lecture about public speaking and guidelines to a successful phone conversation. The meeting concluded with everyone expressing their appreciation for the support and guidance from the Chavruta project staff and overall detail oriented approach to each and every volunteer. We parted with blessings for another successful year and wishes to meet again B”H next year.