The Yeshiva of Central Queens celebrated Yom HaAtzmaut and commemorated Yom HaZikaron with a bevy of meaningful programming, speakers, and activities throughout the week.
The first taste of the jam-packed schedule began on Friday, April 21, when the Junior High School had the incredible opportunity to hear from Sivan Rahav-Meir, a renowned Israeli journalist and lecturer. She gave an inspiring talk, sharing her personal story, the beauty of Shabbos, and finding one’s purpose in life.
Sivan Rahav-Meir is an Israeli journalist who hosts a radio show on Army Radio. Her parshah lectures have thousands of listeners each week from around the globe. The Jerusalem Post listed her as one of the 50 most influential Jews in the world.
Ms. Rahav-Meir described her life journey, recounting her upbringing and how she struggled as a child to find her place. That is until she discovered her speaking and writing talents that led her to journalism at a very young age.
She told the students that they all have something that they are good at, and they must use the special gifts Hashem gave them to help their communities and the world at large. She described how one needs to focus on the positive aspects they possess, noting that the mitzvah of “V’ahavta l’rei’acha kamocha” requires one to love themselves, too.
She then explained how she grew up in a secular home in Israel and only met religious people for the first time when she was 15. She was invited to spend Shabbat at their home in Be’er Sheva and was blown away by the experience. Ms. Rahav-Meir explained that those two words “Bo’i l’Shabbat,” “Come for Shabbat,” changed her life. The experience led her to becoming more religious, and it shaped the person she is today.
A powerful image was shown to drive home her message about the beauty of Shabbos. The word “lo” (no) was shown on the screen 39 times in a way that formed the word “kein!” (yes!). She explained that all the “restrictions” and the 39 m’lachos that we are forbidden to do on Shabbos are not actually restrictions at all. In fact, they are just the opposite. The rules of Shabbos enable us to completely focus on the important things and maintain a sense of genuine serenity.
To conclude her talk, she told a powerful story of a Jewish man who was wrongly imprisoned in Morocco. He was told that he would be given one day during the year to get out of jail. He asked his rav which time would be best for him to do so: Yom Kippur? Pesach? Shabbos? The rav answered, none of those days. You should ask to leave as soon as possible! Ms. Rahav-Meir urged our talmidim and talmidos to seize the moment and make the most out of every day.
On Tuesday, YCQ marked Yom HaZikaron with special ceremonies in honor of the fallen soldiers and victims of terror. Grades 3-8 watched powerful video stories, took part in t’filos, and heard reflections from Rabbi Landsman. Students also participated in various activities throughout the day to honor the memory of those who gave their lives for Israel, including writing letters to families of those whose lives were lost.
The next day, Yom HaAtzmaut, was a day like no other. After davening, the entire school ventured outside to the yard to partake in YCQ’s annual school-wide musical Hallel. Nearly 1,000 students and staff members sang and danced to thank Hashem for the gift of Medinat Yisrael. Led by JHS rebbe and Jewish music star Rabbi Ophie Nat, the sea of blue and white was a remarkable display of achdus and hodaah.
Throughout the day, students also participated in smaller chagigos filled with more music and dancing. In addition to all the musical festivities, special lessons, games, and activities connected to Eretz Yisrael took place all around YCQ.
After months of preparation and research, Grade 8 girls hosted a Zionist Heroes Exhibition, where they displayed projects in Hebrew that focused on different heroes of the Zionist movement, including David Ben-Gurion, Golda Meir, and Rav Kook, to name a few.
Students throughout the school had the opportunity to visit the Exhibition in the Multi-Purpose Room. Morah Mashie Kopelowitz and Morah Lital deserve tremendous credit for organizing the event.
Students in the Junior High School also had the opportunity to decorate posters and props for the upcoming Celebrate Israel Parade and partake in an exciting Israel-themed Family Feud game show hosted by Mr. Jacob Grossman.
In the Elementary School, some activities included Morah Fried’s students researching different cities in Israel and learning all about the amazing attractions and historical significance of areas throughout the land. Morah Reut’s classes designed their own Israeli flags. Students had a great time putting their own twist on the traditional flag and presenting it to other classes.
The Early Childhood Program had an amazing hands-on day of their own. Nursery students boarded an El Al flight to Israel. They visited Yam HaMelach, where they floated on salt water, the Kotel, where they davened, Tzfat, where they made artistic creations, and the Israel Museum, where they got to show and tell personal items from Israel. Kindergarten had its own trip to Israel, too. They bought items at the shuk with their shekalim, davened at the Kotel, used candles to paint, and planted new plants.
And of course, students enjoyed delicious blue and white cookies! Thank you to everyone who made the day so special! L’shanah ha’baah BiYerushalayim!
