“Remembrance days remind us of our ancestors, and how klal Yisrael as a nation has to always keep our past in mind, and follow our Mesorah,” stated Rabbi Moshe Hamel, Assistant Principal, JHS Judaic Studies. The Yeshiva of Central Queens had a meaningful day commemorating Yom HaShoah and the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Students across all grades had age-appropriate discussions and ceremonies to recognize this important day. Grades 3-4 participated in a meaningful ceremony with speeches from rebbeim and students honoring their family members with a special candle lighting ceremony. T’hilim were recited throughout the day, honoring the six million Jews who died, and the heroism of the survivors and rescuers.
YCQ commemorated Yom HaZikaron, Israel Memorial Day, with special assemblies for Grades 3-8. Students were inspired by numerous video presentations, as well as prayers for the fallen soldiers. We were privileged to have YCQ parent Mr. Menachem, as well as YCQ alumnus Mr. Chanoch Aminsky, both IDF soldiers, in attendance. The students truly felt the meaning, purpose, and importance of the day. Thank you, Mrs. Shirly Pourad-Kaikov, for your hard work preparing a meaningful program.
Yom HaAtzmaut was an epic day at YCQ. The entire school – students, faculty, and staff – participated in an outdoor Hallel led by Rabbi Ophie Nat, JHS Judaic Studies teacher. All students in grades K-8 participated with kavanah, and it was truly an inspiring morning. Thank you, Rabbi Ophie Nat, Rabbi Moshe Hamel (Assistant Principal, JHS Judaic Studies), Rabbi Mark Landsman (Principal), Mr. Aaron Kessler (Building Manager), and CM Schwarz for beautifully enhancing our t’filos. The celebration continued with a special Israeli lunch of falafel, pita bread, and Israeli salad. An outdoor concert for all students featuring dancing and singing concluded the joyous day.
Also on Yom HaAtzmaut, YCQ’s Early Childhood Program celebrated somebody’s birthday! Whose birthday? Israel’s! And what better way to celebrate than for the early childhood classes to go on a “trip” to Israel. The classes boarded a “plane” (chairs set in rows) and presented their passports for stamping. They were served snacks while they traveled. Finally, they arrived in Israel! Each class set up different cities around the rooms. The children davened at the Kotel in Yerushalayim. They played in the sand in Eilat, floated in the Dead Sea, and visited a kibbutz to see the animals. Some classes painted in Tz’fas and visited the Israel Museum, which contained artifacts from Israel brought in by the children. The children joined in the dancing and singing outside, to live music, as part of the celebration. The classes returned home just in time for dismissal.
