This past Monday, the Hishtadel L’hiyos Ish Middos Program began at BYQ with an introductory assembly for grades 1-8. The very talented Moros presented an exceptional musical play entitled Miri Pops In. There was not a sound in the room as the lessons of midos tovos came to life in a clear, entertaining, and humorous way. The four midos presented that we will be focusing on this year are Lashon Tov – Positive Speech, Vatranus – Giving In, Dan L’kaf Zechus – Judging Favorably, and Kavod Habriyos – Respecting Others.
Mrs. Nechama Jurkowitz began the assembly by explaining how important it is for us, now, to feel the pain of our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisroel. By davening and saying Tehillim, we connect ourselves to them and hope and pray for a yeshuah. She led the girls in saying two perakim of Tehillim together.
Rabbi Mordechai Ginsparg addressed the girls, explaining that one positive mida leads to the next. Especially now, when we are extremely focused on improving our bein adam l’chaveiro, we must remember this point. By each girl working on improving her midos, she can hopefully reach the goal of becoming a true tzadekes!
Following the performance, Mrs. Elisa Taub, midos program coordinator, introduced this year’s midos journal contest for grades 3-8. The contest is called the Hot On The Trail contest. This connects to our theme of the year – “B’chol D’rachecha Daehu” – Wherever You Go, Be Sure To Know…Make Hashem Proud. When you are hot on the trail, you are looking for something and getting close to finding it. This year, we are searching for Hashem and looking for ways to make Him proud wherever we go. Each mida cycle, the two classes that win the raffle will receive a hot chips celebration! She then introduced the mida of the week and the important points to work on. There was a tremendous feeling of ruach and achdus as the girls joined along in the already familiar weekly announcement.
The assembly culminated with all the girls standing up and singing the Tuf Shin Pey Daled theme song with the motions. The smiles on their faces were contagious and the positive energy reverberated throughout the gym.
Each student received a midos folder with a beautiful cover to hold all the beautiful midos lessons they will be learning this year. The cover features our adorable hiker girl mascot named Tali who is helping us on a journey through midos tovos.
Special thank you to those involved: Miss Hadassah Gottesman, Mrs. Chedva Abrahamson, and Mrs. Yocheved Jurkowitz. A tremendous yasher koach to the wonderful Morah actresses: Mrs. Tehilla Ben-Ari, Mrs. Nechama Davidowitz, Mrs. Mindy Deitsch, Mrs. Amanda Rosenfelt, Mrs. Shifra Schwartz, and Mrs. Elisa Taub for the outstanding performance and going beyond their comfort zone to entertain the students in such a meaningful way.
What an amazing beginning to our exciting midos program! Looking forward to seeing continuous growth in our students as we work together to inculcate midos tovos in them!
