YCQ celebrated a historic act of generosity and achdus on Wednesday, November 29, as the Yeshiva welcomed its first Sephardic sefer Torah in honor of Brandon Rakhminov’s bar mitzvah.
The day started with each class assembling around the perimeter of the school yard. Early Childhood students proudly wore their Torah hats, and students waved their special flags, eagerly anticipating the arrival of the sefer Torah. After everyone was in place, the Torah arrived.
As the glistening new Sephardic sefer Torah made its way around the YCQ yard, surrounded by the existing Ashkenazi sifrei Torah and over 1,000 students, faculty, and community members, a special feeling of achdus was in the air. The sifrei Torah were paraded around under a beautiful chupah, as everyone cheered its arrival. Throngs of students danced to the soundtrack of festive music as the Torah was displayed on a beautiful sunny day.
When the procession concluded, N-5 students made their way back to their classrooms. They continued the celebrations with their own personal parties while the JHS made its way to the shul for more dancing. The ruach continued as students danced in circles and formed trains to continue the simchah. Eventually, the 6th and 7th Grade students were dismissed, and only the 8th Grade remained.
As the music slowed down, boys and girls formed their own respective circles and joined together to powerfully sing songs including “Acheinu” and “V’Hi SheAmdah.” Rabbi Landsman powerfully spoke about how the parshah described Yaakov’s struggle with his enemy. He explained that just as Yaakov was injured, but nevertheless emerged victorious, so, too, B’nei Yisrael will always come out on top. He noted that with the matzav in Eretz Yisrael, we are all very much “limping,” but we are confident that we will always preserve and ultimately thrive.
After putting away the rest of the sifrei Torah, students had the opportunity to hear Brandon practice his k’riah on the new Torah. Students were eager to see the final Torah after they had spent the day before watching the sofer carefully and meticulously fill in the final letters. The opportunity for all N-8 students to see the Torah up close and watch the sofer on Tuesday was an amazing experience and helped provide additional meaning for Wednesday’s festivities.
The Yeshiva of Central Queens is so grateful to bring the light of a new sefer Torah into the world during these especially dark times. Mazal tov to the Rakhminov Family and the extended YCQ community on this wonderful occasion.
