Schools

YCQ students in Grades 1-8 participated in a beautiful day of chesed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 15. In partnership with “All About Kindness,” students brought in various items from home to pack for local children in need and for chayalim in Israel. Students packed goody-bags, Havdalah sets, gloves and hats, and s’farim, and wrote heartfelt letters to accompany all the packages. Grade 7 Girls participated in another act of chesed on the previous Friday when they worked with Boots for Israel, an amazing local initiative organized by the Young Israel of Holliswood.

Mrs. Wargon’s third grade boys at Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe just finished their unit on chemistry. The boys learned that all the atoms that Hashem created in our universe can be found in the Periodic Table of Elements. These elements can be combined in different ways to create all of the matter that exists.

It might be cold and snowy outside, but on Tuesday, January 16, class 4C at Bnos Malka Academy “went camping” for the day! As the students walked into their English classroom, they were amazed to see it transformed into a campsite, complete with “tents” instead of desks, and a fire pit with logs for seating, replacing the usual carpet.

What if I told you there was a way to support Israel by going shopping?

American Communities Helping Israel (ACHI) is a non-profit advocacy organization that packs a counterpunch to the BDS movement by hosting an online market featuring more than 250 Israeli vendors. They offer an array of products ranging from Judaica, jewelry, ceramics, art, fashion, and home decor to toys and games. Many vendors ship globally and within Israel, so you can even send food baskets to Israeli family and friends. Check out www.achi613.org/achi-market to see for yourself - and start shopping!

Ezra Academy’s yearlong mitzvah program is continuing, and just finished the next step in fostering spiritual growth among its students through the implementation of the Asher Yatzar Mitzvah Program. Asher Yatzar, the brachah recited to express gratitude for the intricate design of the human body and the seamless functioning of its various systems, is often overlooked. The program at Ezra Academy was designed to instill a sense of mindfulness and appreciation for the gift from Hashem of health and well-being.

Mr. Richard Altabe, HALB Lower School Principal, attended the OU mission to Washington this past week with Senators and Representatives to advocate for Israel and the Jewish people. He was part of a group of people from the Five Towns who met with our Representative, Congressman Anthony D’Esposito. Mr. Altabe asked the members of the OU to wear the number 96 to mark the number of days the hostages have been held in Gaza, as requested by Rachel, mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who is still being held hostage. After Mr. Altabe’s suggestion, Rabbi Hauer presented Senators with their own 96 stickers, many of whom agreed to wear it.