Students in Bais Yaakov of Queens experienced an incredible two-week Kibbud Av Va’eim program entitled At Your Service. The program combined daily lessons, together with fun and meaningful activities and contests. The school building was transformed into a modern, true-to-life café called “Café Kavod.” The aroma of coffee wafted through the air!
At the opening assembly, the teachers were dressed as waitresses in white aprons and pink bow ties. Each student received a smoothie cup filled with a logo straw, napkin, and brownie bar, and a striking placemat stating the halachos of kavod and yir’ah to parents.
Mrs. Nechama Jurkowitz, limudei kodesh principal, addressed the girls about the important mitzvah of Kibbud Av Va’eim, stressing that through serving our parents, we are actually learning how to serve Hashem.
The talented moros of BYQ then performed a humorous, thought-provoking play, which taught the girls the importance of appreciating parents. Through a mashal of a restaurant, the girls learned not to feel “entitled” but to be grateful to their parents for all they do and be there to help their parents happily and with a smile.
The eighth graders performed the catchy At Your Service theme song with motions. The song, with its amazing message, was played over the school intercom each day, and added so much ruach to the program.
Each morning, the limudei kodesh moros taught an important lesson on Kibbud Av Va’eim. Some topics covered were hakaras ha’tov to parents, parents are the link of connection, serving parents b’seiver panim yafos, your parents’ will is the way, the great rewards for those who are m’chabeid their parents, and halachos of kavod and yir’ah. The students took notes and drew pictures in their Menu (food for thought) Journals during the lessons.
Mrs. Elisa Taub, program director/head waitress, went around daily with a musical Dessert Cart stating “sweet” service with a smile, b’seiver panim yafos. She collected the Guest Check raffle tickets, which were checklists reviewing the students’ daily acts of Kibbud Av Va’eim.
Some exciting events that enhanced the program were the café style lunch of waffles, ice cream, and whipped cream, the Kibbud Av Va’eim kumsitz, and the “Smile Celebration” featuring large smiley face cookies to encourage serving parents with a smile.
Mothers also got a “taste” of the program when they attended an Evening of Chinuch, featuring guest speaker Mrs. Chani Juravel, eighth grade song and dance presentations, and an elegant dessert buffet.
The program ended with an amazing assembly. Mrs. Chedva Abrahamson, school graphic artist, who was involved in many facets of the program, produced a memorable video highlighting the learning and fun experienced by the students throughout the two-week At Your Service Program.
After raffle winners were drawn, over 650 students stood up and sang the program theme song with motions. There was electricity in the air and the ruach soared higher and higher.
The At Your Service Program imparted important lessons of Kibbud Av Va’eim in an overwhelming way, leaving impressions on the students that they will take with them for life!
