Seminary Letter
Seminary Letter
Dear (not so) little sister
Congratulations sis! It’s finally, "your time”.
I’m excited for what this year ahead will behold. The seminary experience is a privilege. It's an opportunity to build relationships with friends, mechanchos the families you will be fortunate to meet (vice Aversa) and most fundamentally a chance to nurture the relationship within yourself.
If I had an older sister, I'd want her to give me the "Aleph, Beis, Gimmels" of the seminary experience.
Aleph: Aim high sis, but like stay “normal.” K? You are entitled to 1.5 months of post sem girl cloud time; after that, I’m throwing out the blouses and clogs. Literally.
Beis: Be easy going, roommates may not be “ideal,” Shabbos plans on a beach in Netanya may in actuality be a nice family that lives in a hut, and hot water is “relative.”
Gimmel: Throughout seminary, I was under the misconception that when in Geula calories don’t count. A packet of glazed pecans, Iced Coffee, Pizza with that “sauce,” but you know what? It was worth it. Enjoy every spiritual munch.
Dalet: Dress how you want in Seminary, buy those 25 Shekel “stretchy skirts” but don't even think of coming off the boat in them. They are not flattering, and Mum will have conniptions.
Hay: Always bring a hostess gift, even if that “gift” consists of a 15 shekel prepackaged shoko cake you bought from the Makolet in Tachanah Markazit. It’s not about what you bring but rather the gesture, and the kids will ask for it anyways.
Vuv: If your roommate's third cousin is getting married, go dance at the vedding. One of my greatest endorphin releasing chavaya’s was getting all dressed up with sem friends and being mesameach with the kallah after all, when in Israel, Vee are Mishpacha!
Zayin: Zilch. Don’t take along any valuables that you will intensely regret if it gets lost, broken or eaten ;)
Ches: It's all part of the Chavaya :) when opportunities come your way, grab them by the horns, even coming home, I started to look at everything as an opportunity in the grand chavaya scheme of life, it keeps things in perspective.
Tes: Tiyulim! Enjoy every sweaty, skirt soaked, Choco drink filled moment :)
Yud: Yomim Tovim; fish and guests tend to go bad after three days. When you find yourself zoche to stay in one place for all three days as opposed to veggabounds R Us. Show your appreciation.
Kuf: The greatest gift you can do regarding Kibbud Av V' Em is to let Tatty and Mommy know that your doing well and are happy. They work so hard to enable this experience for you, if you need a good vent out, call me. I unlike Ma won't feel a pang of "my baby's not happy in another country"; I'll just tell you to go get a ReBar and get over it.
Lamed: Layla Tov! In accordance with the laws of diminishing returns, sleep will be the most precious commodity of your seminary experience. Bring a sleep mask, earplugs and chap a snooze whenever you can; except for power naps during power shiurim. You will regret not being “present.” Sleep on the bus, on the way to the Kosel. Not in class.
Mem: Me and Mum, as much as I say I’m looking forward to you going to sem to finally have some “Me and Mum time” know that your missed little Muskrat, but I’m so happy your able to enjoy this opportunity.
Nun: Keep a seminary notebook to jot down everything. From your favorite quote snippets to shabbos escapades, hashgacha pratis stories that in hindsight you’ll see it was all orchestrated to perfection.
Samach: The second most elusive commodity of the sem experience is quality solitude. Find your Yishuv Hadass happy place, whether it's the rooftop of the dorm, the Waldorf hotel lounge or even Kotzefet, find a place that allows you to disconnect and reconnect.
Ayin: “Don’t forget to take your “Aneini.” Israel is one of the only places you can check of saying all the tefillos; it will become your most trusted companion. And when you go to Amuka, see if you can find mine, yup I left it there.
Pei: Protekzia (pull), if there is a girl who a) father owns the seminary or b) owns a house(s) in Rechavia, be friends with her.
Kuf: When you're in Kotzefet and are about to order the sem girl ”usual,” aka a water-based fruit juice smoothie, have me in mind and get a waffle with ALL the works.
Raish: Remember your rock-solid values, people are wary of sem girls who get a good brainwashing- as my sem principal used to say "Every brain can use a good washing" just don't forget to air out in the rinse cycle :)
Shin: Shabbos plans are part and parcel or the “experience” don't let shabbos plan anxiety rob you of the experience, the best of plans are usually made last minute under pressure.
Sin: Seminary ;) when it’s pre the first three-month mark, and you're wondering if you’ll “ever like this experience” don’t blink sis, it will be over too quickly...
Tuff: As I was zoche to hear from Rebbetzin Altusky, when life is “tough,” and things aren't going as planned, there's always Torah, Tefilla, and Tikva; hope.
The Israelis, always one step ahead, are onto something when they say “Yasher Yashar.” Although you're just embarking on this journey, I want to leave you my seminary takeaway. When you’re unsure which direction you're supposed to be headed towards, always aim Yashar, straight. A pivotal aspect of the seminary experience is your freedom to make decisions. Listen to that little gut voice of reason that gears you towards the direction that is right sis, always aim Yasher Yasher
