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This year’s Chanukah season was marked by spirited events, creative competitions, and meaningful experiences that brought the YSZ Girls High School community closer together. Tuesday’s activity was labeled, “Chanukah Olympics: Unleashing Creativity and Fun.” Students showcased their skills and creativity in the Chanukah Olympics, where they competed for a prize – and, of course, bragging rights! Activities included the hilarious balancing of gelt on noses and the construction of a makeshift tower using plastic cups. The event fostered a sense of camaraderie, as students were filled with laughter and friendly competition.

MTA’s Lionotics robotics team showcased exceptional talent in the recent FIRST Tech Challenge competition held last Sunday. The competition featured many top public and private schools from across the city, but Lionotics stood out with two well-designed robots. Lionotics 1 emerged as the dominant force during the qualifying matches, going undefeated and earning the top ranking. Lionotics 2 was equally impressive in its first match, but sadly its electronics malfunctioned after that one success.

Yeshiva of Central Queens (YCQ) students had the opportunity to spend the sixth day of Chanukah giving back to the community and doing chesed. While for many, Chanukah can often be a time of taking – receiving presents, eating doughnuts, grabbing all the gelt – YCQ students gave their time and effort to help bring joy to others.

Mrs. Seeno’s eighth graders learned what it takes to be an entrepreneur while working on their Shark Tank Projects. Students chose their groups and had to create a pitch on Flip Grid, a prototype, and pertinent information.

Central celebrates Chanukah in a big way – and with this year’s emphasis on positivity, faculty and staff alike felt a particularly strong desire to make this year’s holiday a source of joy and strength. A full schedule of programming and events marked these special eight days.

Dovid Shechter, a YTM alumnus and currently a soldier in the IDF, recently came to speak to several of the Junior High School classes at Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe. Dovid is on a short leave here in Queens and will be returning to Eretz Yisrael in the coming days.