Schools

This year, IVDU Five Towns started a new initiative, Mitzvah Missions, where the students learn about a mitzvah/midah each week and practice that special mitzvah corresponding to the parshah or upcoming holiday. After learning Parshas VaYeira, the students continued their study on the mitzvah of Bikur Cholim. They learned that Bikur Cholim can be visiting the sick, calling friends when they’re not feeling well, and even sending something to someone to cheer him/her up when in the hospital. To practice this special mitzvah, IVDU Five Towns, with the help of Dr. Chaim Banner, made special Shabbos packages for patients in North Shore University Hospital. Each package contains electric candles that could be used in the hospital room, a Kiddush cup, and a beautifully colored get-well card. The students personally put together each package, knowing that they’re doing this important mitzvah of Bikur Cholim.

Mazal Tov to HALB Second Graders on receiving their very first Chumash on Sunday! They all did an incredible job at the play and are excited to begin learning from their Chumashim.

The 4^th grade students of Bnos Malka Academy gathered for a special occasion: the beginning of learning N’vi’im. As a unique siyum for finishing the first perek in Sefer Yehoshua, the students had a lavish breakfast and were thrilled to hear Rabbi Weichselbaum, Menahel, discuss the importance of learning Navi and the timely lessons for our daily lives. Students received a special Birkon as a gift to commemorate the morning, and they were able to make the connection that Yehoshua wrote the paragraph of Nodeh in bentching.

With the introduction of the Beit Midrash Fellowship program at the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls two years ago, the students of SKA have been benefiting from innovative and inspiring opportunities for religious growth. The SKA Fellows, under the direction of Mrs. Avital Braun, Rosh Beit Midrash, have contributed to the vibrant Torah atmosphere of the school while developing as impactful Judaic studies educators.

On Motza’ei Shabbos, November 19, the Yeshiva of Central Queens faculty, Grade 3 students, and their families and friends celebrated an intergenerational melaveh malkah in a beautifully decorated YCQ auditorium. Rabbi Landsman, YCQ Principal, kicked off the event with an amazing d’var Torah.

Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz famously wrote that “chesed starts with seeing.” We must first see the needs of others and then seek to give them help. When we do chesed, we give to others and build empathy in ourselves. When we do chesed, we model the work of the Ribbono Shel Olam. Chesed programming is essential to YSZ HS for Girls.