News

The Bais Yaakov Academy of Queens always seeks to meet the needs of all of their parents and students. Last year, as the midwinter break approached, the administration noted that, although a large number of families would be traveling out of town for vacation, a significant number would remain in the New York City area. Many of the parents had work or other obligations and dreaded the annual scramble to find ways to keep their daughters occupied during the break. Rabbi Mordechai Ginsparg, BYQ’s Menahel, felt that creating an optional winter camp was extremely important, and the response to the offer was overwhelming. Following last year’s success, BYQ was ready once again to run a winter program. This year, even more girls signed up, with over 350 students attending the program, including sixth, seventh, and eighth graders, who served as counselors.

Before winter break, the Grade 6 Girls, alongside Morah Rina Bienenfeld, hosted an amazing Shuk Tu BiSh’vat for the students at YCQ. When students arrived at the shuk, they were handed a passport, “shekalim,” and a sheet with T’hilim that had the name of a YCQ alumnus currently serving in the IDF. Students had their passports stamped and were transported to Machane Yehuda. They used their shekalim to “purchase” Israeli foods and make all the different b’rachot.

Over winter break, several students and staff, including Rabbi and Lisa Zakutinsky, delivered letters to chayalim in Israel written by HALB, Lev Chana, and SKA students. Each and every letter brought smiles and feelings of hope to those protecting Israel and the Jewish people.

In honor of Tu BiSh’vat, a fruit juice box drink was distributed to every Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe talmid, courtesy of the Parents Association. Additionally, the boys in Rabbi Kiffel’s first grade class were greeted to a completely rearranged classroom, with the desks set up in the shape of a ches, and an impressive buffet table in the middle.

At SINAI at YCQ, our oldest and youngest students read together, an activity that offers older kids the chance to practice their reading and social skills, and to feel empowered.

The Pre-1A boys at Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe completed their Alef-Beis and celebrated with a beautiful siyum! Since the beginning of the school year, the boys have been working on their k’riah, learning all the alef-beis letters and n’kudos.