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On Thursday, May 21, the YCQ Parent Teacher Organization sponsored a meet-the-author day with author and illustrator Kathleen Bart. She met with students in the second, third, and fourth grades for special readings from a few of her books and activities. With the second grade, she read and discussed her book A Tale of Two Teddies. Students learned the history of the Teddy bear, they saw samples of original toy bears, and how they morphed from wood to metal and eventually the soft cuddly cute bears we know and love today. Ms. Bart discussed the debate over whether America or Germany created the first Teddy bear and the naming of the Teddy bear after then President Theodore Roosevelt. She is also the illustrator of her books and designer of the Ralph Lauren Polo bear. After the discussion, she guided the students in sketching their own teddy bears that looked just like their librarian Mrs. Etta on a trip to Hawaii.

The name Hebrew Academy of Nassau County High School might imply a student body limited to the boundaries of a small area in that county. In fact though, HANC HS prides itself in an enrollment of students hailing from Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties. But the distance does not stop HANC teachers and students from connecting, as can be evident from the recent excursions of one dedicated rebbe across the three counties.

The Hebrew Academy of Long Beach is continuing to run its Shaar Lev Program for local community children enrolled in local public schools because of their unique learning needs. Immediately after Pesach, the Shaar Lev team made the offer to parents to continue Shaar Lev on Zoom. Most of the parents were thrilled to continue their learning online, and the full complement of course offerings were arranged. Children are now enjoying Parshah with Rabbi Eli Herzberg, Dinim and Halachah with Rabbi Dovid Libman, and 1:1 K’riah sessions with our k’riah team of Morah Batsheva Milworn, Morah Tamar Mosak, Morah Estee Halbertal, and Morah Michal Silverberg.

In an effort to help talmidim explore various career paths, MTA recently launched a weekly workshop series entitled “What Do People Do All Day?” Through the series, talmidim learn about different careers from successful and inspiring speakers who are leaders in their fields. The series aims to inspire talmidim to discover the professions that best match their skills and interests and provides them with a unique opportunity to learn from experts in these sectors. “Think back to your teenage and even your college years - the career paths you considered were likely constrained by your immediate experience. For the students, hearing an inspiring speaker might spark interest in a career they might otherwise never have considered,” said MTA parent Clive Lipshitz, who originated the program.

On Lag BaOmer at the Yeshiva of Central Queens, the elementary school and the JHS split into Red Eish and Blue Mayim and competed in the first ever virtual color war. Grades 1-5 competed in scavenger hunts, Torah Trivia Jeopardy, a general studies quiz game, and a d’var Torah competition. In grades four and five, they also played Name That Tune and participated in a free throw competition. Students dressed in their team colors and made banners and posters showing team spirit. The Lag BaOmer celebration continued with first grade students participating in a challenge to create their own version of bonfires for Lag BaOmer using items they could find around their homes.