The Rosh Chodesh BACK TO THE FUTURE Program at the Bais Yaakov Academy of Queens continued this past Rosh Chodesh Sh’vat. The famous woman highlighted this month is Rebbetzin Ruchoma Shain, author of the well-known All for the Boss, as well as other books. Each student received a card with Rebbetzin Shain’s picture and important facts about her life.
Ruchoma Shain grew up in the early 1900s in New York. As a daughter of Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Herman, she was taught to be proud to be a Torah-observant Jew and not to be embarrassed to do what was right, even if it meant being different from those around her.
To emphasize the lesson of Jewish pride, a video, produced by Morah Ben-Ari, featuring BYQ teachers recounting stories of their parents and grandparents holding steadfast to Torah-true values, despite the difficulties, was shown to the girls. Mrs. Nechama Jurkowitz, limudei kodesh principal, encouraged the girls to be proud of their Yiddishkeit, and she related a story of how her father literally stood up for what he believed was inappropriate viewing content on an El Al flight.
Thank you to Morah Deitsch, Mrs. Schonfeld, and Mrs. Silber for sharing their memories and bringing this lesson to life for the girls.
Mrs. Taub, program coordinator, encouraged the girls to write down a story from their parents or grandparents or other family member and submit it. The young reader’s edition of All for the Boss will be raffled off to those who participate.
A special presentation was made by Rebbetzin Ruchoma Shain’s granddaughter, Bluma Rochel Rosenman, who spoke about her Bubby and emphasized her unique qualities and principles. She highlighted the fact that Rebbetzin Shain looked for hashgachah pratis on a daily basis and constantly spoke about her relationship with Hashem.
We are sure that the program will influence our girls to be proud and grateful for their Torah-true lives and encourage them to follow in the ways and teachings of Rebbetzin Ruchoma Shain. The theme of Tav Shin Pei Beis (5782) – Binu Sh’nos Dor VaDor – “Priorities of the Past” is making a big impact on the students of BYQ. Lessons from the past are coming alive each and every day!
