Chanukah at Yeshiva University High School for Girls (Central) is always a highlight of the year, but this season felt especially meaningful as the school continued to live out the theme of the 2025–26 school year, Full Hearts, Full Souls, which celebrates the kind of heartfelt connection that defines the holiday. Some of the major events occurring before the week of Chanukah that prepared Wildcats for celebration included a day of chesed work for the freshman, sophomore, and junior classes on Wednesday, December 10, followed by a pre-Chanukah mishmar with Rabbi Shmuel Ismach entitled “When Your Candle Gets an F: Why Failure Is Never Your Final Grade.” The week helped Wildcats prepare their hearts and minds for the holiday of Chanukah.
The week of Chanukah kicked off with three beloved traditions: the Mystery Maccabee exchange, the Senior Chanukah Auction, coordinated by the senior class to raise money for events next semester, and, of course, Chanukah Sweater Day, which came in handy for Monday’s full-school ice-skating trip, a highly anticipated event that gave Wildcats a chance to unwind and bond after the work of early December.
On Monday and Tuesday nights, YUHSG’s grade deans hosted grade-wide Chanukah mesibos, with sophomores gathering at the home of science faculty member Mrs. Miriam Chopp, and juniors gathering at the home of YUHSG Learning Center specialist Ms. Sophie Blumenthal on Monday evening, and freshmen festivities hosted by Judaic Studies faculty member Mrs. Karen Lavner, with the Class of 2026 celebrating at the home of Director of Religious and Israel Guidance Mrs. Yael Axelrod on Tuesday night.
The senior festivities continued late into the night as they joined Yeshiva University for a night of Chanukah fun at the American Dream Mall. Tuesday also brought an activity coordinated by YUHSG’s Cooking Club, as well as Chanukah chaburos, taught by YUHSG’s Rosh Beis Midrash Rabbi Zvi Lew and Mrs. Axelrod.
Wednesday, December 17, brought early dismissal and the annual Faculty Mesibah, which featured traditional fun and bonding along with a new addition, a faculty resin board workshop. The day before break included a holiday highlight, a massive Chanukah chagigah starring legendary MC Shimi Adar. Wildcats celebrated together with music and dancing.
Sophomore Meira Husarsky spoke to the excitement of the chagigah. “You can’t be bored when you are with Shimi Adar,” she said. “She’s the best motivator.”
A huge thank-you goes to Mrs. Yael Axelrod and Director of Student Activities and Judaic Studies faculty member Mrs. Sydney Yaros for planning the week’s Chanukah highlights. Sophomore Ahuva Feldman expressed her gratitude. “Central put in a lot of effort to coordinate this week, and we really appreciate it,” she said.
From start to finish, Chanukah at YUHSG showcased what makes the school so special: community, warmth, and a shared commitment to bringing heart into each day.