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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.

Yeshiva of Central Queens staff and students got off to an amazing start with their virtual learning environment. Using the Zoom platform, teachers created classes that can be easily accessed on the new YCQ webpage. Through training by the IT Department, with the assistance of fourth grade teacher Eryn Kaplan and JHS Education Tech Coordinator Teddy Richter, learning did not cease. The students joined their class or grade in the morning for davening and Judaic studies, and in the afternoon they kept up with math, language arts, and other academic subjects. On Monday, YCQ will be launching specialties, including gym, library story time and book discussion, computers, art, and music.

The HALB staff has gone above and beyond to ensure that they maintain the personal relationships with their students even during these difficult times...as this is the essence of HALB!

As the coronavirus pandemic continues, and schools transition to a more sustained approach to distance learning, MTA introduced MTA@Home. The program reflects the yeshivah’s goal of joining talmidim at home to learn, rather than feeling the distance of remote learning.

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.

Bnos Malka Academy has transitioned right into distance learning. While the whole world wishes for school to resume, setting up an alternative has been instrumental in facilitating learning and a sense of normalcy for the students. Students each have a schedule for call-in time with their teachers. Learning of Chumash, Navi, Haggadah, Math, Science, and ELA are but a few of the subjects in which students are engaged. With additional courses on the horizon, Bnos Malka is committed to helping their program remain productive and engaging with access for all students. May there be a r’fuah speedily for all of the world and for klal Yisrael.