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On Wednesday, November 25, the seventh-grade girls participated in a bas mitzvah workshop in the lunchroom of YCQ. In a typical year, the sixth-grade girls would have a program after school with their mothers, in anticipation of becoming b’nos mitzvah the following year. However, due to the events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, which began earlier this year, and which forced a lot of activities at school to be suspended, it was not possible to hold the event at the end of sixth grade.

Art Therapy at IVDU LI is run by Morah Alyssa Axelrod, a super engaging art therapist, who draws every student into her sessions with warmth and creativity. Different mediums are used at each session, as students work either individually or in a small peer group to express themselves through art.

MTA hosted amazing late-night events for both the Freshman and Sophomore grades. Sophomores had a blast at their event on Tuesday, December 1, and Freshmen had a great time at their event on Thursday, December 3!

Gratitude was the theme of Thanksgiving week at the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls. Morning t’filah was enhanced with the addition of T’filas Hodaah (Prayer of Thanks), as the students reflected on what they had to be grateful for. They also gave notes of thanks to SKA’s staff members who work so hard to make the building clean and safe.

In partnership with the Azrieli Graduate School and the MATAN Bellows Eshkolot Program, SKA pioneered a new initiative this year with the inauguration of the SKA Beit Midrash Fellowship. Majoring in the field of Jewish education, the SKA Beit Midrash Fellows have the opportunity to carry out their student teaching responsibilities in our classrooms, working directly with our students and forming meaningful relationships with them through one-on-one learning and co-curricular activities.  Under the guidance of Mrs. Avital Braun, Rosh Beit Midrash, our Fellows contribute to the vibrant Torah learning in our building while enhancing their own development as impactful educators.  The benefit to our SKA students has been immeasurable!

Shevach High School – the Bais Yaakov High School of Queens – held its open house on Sunday evening, November 29. Although it had to be held virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was creative, exciting, and even interactive.