MTA talmidim Sam Blech (’21), Samuel Gorman (’21), Akiva Kra (’21), Binyamin Rubin (’22), Yitzy Shaykevich (’21), and Jonathan Sherman (’21) represented MTA at Civic Spirit Day on Thursday, May 7. The goal of this event, hosted by Civic Spirit, an organization that provides school communities with the tools, training, and a diverse network to foster civic responsibility, was to bring students from various cultures together to raise awareness about the importance of the US Census.

Bnos Malka Academy had the privilege of hearing from Rabbanit Amit Yaghoubi through Zoom on Wednesday, April 29, in honor of Yom HaAtzmaut. Rabbanit Yaghoubi shared a story and great inspiration regarding the work left to be done as individuals and as a nation. She explained that we are fortunate to have Eretz Yisrael and “taste” its sweetness. To truly be zocheh to Eretz Yisrael, we need to all work on ourselves so that we can merit the coming of Mashiach.

It was another busy week in the Yeshiva of Central Queens Virtual Learning Environment. Students in class 3-209 began their virtual oral history reports. Dressing in character and presenting their research, giving clues for their classmates to try to guess who they are. Class 3-211 and 3-212 wrote in Hebrew and drew pictures about the different brachos they say on foods. Students from K through grade 3 enjoyed a surprise science lesson and activity on simple machines around the home. And students created beautiful Mother’s Day cards in their weekly art class.

This week began in a solemn mood at Yeshiva of Central Queens, as grades 3-8 attended Yom HaZikaron programs created and presented by Shirley Porad. Students sat silently as they listened to stories about selfless bravery and love for Israel through graphic stories and meaningful videos of members of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), soldiers who gave their lives defending the land and people they love. They learned about the bravery of Dan Givon, a young pilot who was shot down during the Six-Day War; Yonatan “Yoni” Netanyahu, brother of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Yoni commanded the elite commando unit Sayeret Matkal during Operation Entebbe, part of the strategic attack at Entebbe Airport in Uganda against terrorists who kidnapped and held hostages. He saved their lives but lost his own.