Raising her voice, ZeeZee said, “Y’know what we’re really missing in Shvilei? Real, honest discussion”

ZeeZee sat on the floor of Mrs. Hurwitz’s crowded living room, watching the eim bayit pass trays of cookies around the group. This was the first Cookie Thursday she’d hosted since Chanukah; Mrs. H. had clearly taken Shani’s leaving hard. She’d even hesitated when ZeeZee had finally approached her to ask when they were restarting.

“Oh, I don’t know,” she’d said. “I’m not sure if it’s — um — a good idea to continue.”

Now, ZeeZee was happy to see Mrs. Hurwitz acting like her old, bubbly self. After all, there’s only so long one could mope about a girl who had left. Personally, while she still made sure to call Shani to find out how she’s doing, she’d also wasted no time turning her old roommate’s bed into a cushiony, funky couch.

The noise quieted down as Mrs. Hurwitz gave a short devar Torah. Then she asked if anyone had something they’d like to share. Rusi, bless the girl, started up with a long and winding devar Torah of her own. ZeeZee had to stop herself from yawning.

When she was finally done, Mrs. H. asked if there was anyone else. Scared that this was going to turn into one long parshah class, ZeeZee immediately jumped in. “Hey guys, quick survey: Raise your hands if you think seminary has too many classes and too little chill time,” she said.

There was general laughter as some of the girls raised their hands while others loudly protested. Mrs. Hurwitz, she noted, looked a little uncomfortable, but said nothing.

The conversation turned from there to debates about what else could be done to improve the experience. Some girls felt there were too few shabbatons and others too many. Someone else wanted to be able to cook for herself in the dorms. ZeeZee rolled her eyes inwardly. Come on. Cooking? Like, who cared?

Raising her voice, she said, “Y’know what we’re really missing in Shvilei? Real, honest discussion.” Ever since the Yad b’Yad session she’d stumbled into, she hadn’t been able to get it out of her mind. The issues discussed, the way everything and anything was allowed to be said, the freedom, the zero judgment. Why couldn’t they do that here as well?