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The start of a new school year brings the start of many different programs. This past week, Mesivta Yam HaTorah kicked off its Mishmar program, where groups of students were paired with Beis Midrash bachurim from Yeshiva Zichron Aryeh to have an opportunity to review the material they had been learning in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. The intimate groups provided more focused learning as well as general chizuk from the older mentors. These groups will be kept the same throughout the year, helping build a stronger connection between the Beis Midrash bachur and the students. This will not only allow them to learn together but to develop a mentor and role model to assist them in other facets of life. We look forward to the growing success of our Mishmar learning and to the delicious suppers that will ensure an all-around enjoyment of this program.

The new school year at Shevach High School got off to a positive start with a thought-provoking address delivered by Mrs. Shira Smiles. Mrs. Smiles is a master m’chaneches who gives classes in various high schools and seminaries in Eretz Yisrael.

Excitement and anticipation were in the air at the Bais Yaakov Academy of Queens as students in grades 1-4 and grades 5-8 participated in separate assemblies where the midos theme of the year and Y’mei Ratzon Program were introduced. Mrs. Nechama Jurkowitz, limudei kodesh principal, explained that the theme for the year Tav Shin Pei (5780) is related to peh – mouth. The pasuk we are focusing on is very familiar to everyone and recited in Eishes Chayil – “Piha Paschah B’Chochmah” – It “pays” to weigh your words wisely. Our motto is Say it right! This year, our adorable mascot owl, named BINAH, will be encouraging the girls to think before they speak and choose their words wisely. Mrs. Jurkowitz explained that babies are not born with the ability to speak, as they are with other senses, such as sight, hearing, and touch. This is because speech must be preceded with thought; and until young babies develop their thinking skills, they are not capable of speaking. What sets humans apart from animals is their ability to think and speak – dei’ah v’dibur. Using a large speech bubble, Mrs. Jurkowitz role-played with the students the thoughtful and appropriate response to a common school situation.

After an amazing experience for Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe students and the Queens community at large last year, the new batch of 7^th graders in Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe were introduced to the special Names Not Numbers Project. The project was conceived by Mrs. Tova Fish Rosenberg as a unique Holocaust memorial project, where all participating students have the unique opportunity to research, interview, film, and produce a professional documentary about a survivor’s experience that will be archived for future generations in the Holocaust Museum. Rabbi Yaakov May, Menahel of Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe, opened the program by speaking about “how every survivor has a story and every survivor has a miracle.”

The HANC High School Class of 2023 was inaugurated into High School at the annual Freshman Retreat this past Sunday and Monday, September 9 and 10, at Camp Kaylie in Wurtsboro, New York. The students participated in two days of amazing activities, entertainment, and “just getting to know one another.” The trip was chaperoned by administrators, m’chanchim, and members of HANC’s Student Life Team.

On Monday, September 9, MTA Freshmen had the privilege of meeting with Yeshiva University Rosh Yeshiva Rav Hershel Schachter, who visited the Freshman shiurim to welcome the new talmidim to the MTA community. In addition to sharing inspirational divrei Torah with the boys, Rav Schachter also shared his own experience as an MTA talmid.