It was not just another day for Yeshiva Shaarei Zion High School for Girls, as the freshman class joined students from high schools across the Tri-State Area to compete in the CIJE’s Tech Annual Hackathon. The Hackathon was an intense competition challenging students to design, build, market, and present a product in one day. Sha’arei Zion girls proved their mettle by winning third place, behind the Frisch School and SAR Academy.

On Wednesday morning, January 9, Yeshiva Primary’s Kitah Gimmel celebrated a unique Chumash party. With her trademark passion, enthusiasm, and love for her students, Rebbetzin Channah Hecht, second and third grade Limudei Kodesh morah at Yeshiva Primary for over 20 years, welcomed everyone. She stated, “Each child is a diamond, as the Lubavitcher Rebbe taught. When they learn Torah and mitzvos, they shine like a beautiful diamond.” She shared that she teaches each child as she would want a morah to teach her child. “They are my children!” She noted that when Hashem gave the Torah, He asked, “Who will be our guarantors?” The parents shouted, “Our children will be our guarantors.”

Just a few days ago, I was shaken to learn about the passing of a unique individual who, in my mind, should be revered and missed by all. Sergeant Curtis Whiteway, a 96-year-old American veteran, died and left behind his loving family.

There was pink everywhere at the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls on Pink Day, Monday, February 7! Every variation of the color dominated students’ clothing together with the walls and rooms of the school.

On Monday, January 17, the Yeshiva of Central Queens (YCQ) Grade Six Girls created Shuk Tu BiSh’vat so the entire school could experience Israeli culture. The girls learned all about Tu BiSh’vat, the Shiv’as HaMinim, and formed groups. They “sold” each of the minim and other Israeli treats to the rest of the school using “sh’kalim.” Songs were sung, food was eaten, and brachos were made. The decorations, smells, and sounds felt like a real shuk in Israel.