Debate Team Wins Big

reputation for excellence in the debate circuit. The team will undoubtedly continue to be a formidable opponent for any school that dares to challenge them.

On Thursday, February 2, YCQ, in partnership with Teach NYS, welcomed State Senator Leroy Comrie who visited and toured the school.

Due to recent redistricting in the state senate, Senator Leroy Comrie now represents Kew Gardens Hills and YCQ. The Senator has been in office since 2015 and previously served as a member of NYC Council from 2002-2013.

As a proud member school of Teach NYS, YCQ has benefited tremendously from their ongoing legislative efforts and program support in many areas. YCQ is grateful to Teach NYS and Senator Comrie for all their support.

Sounds of Torah can be heard throughout YCQ long after school is dismissed. In addition to the Mishmar programs that happen each week, a group of approximately 20 JHS boys meet every Monday night with Rabbi Ophie Nat to learn Mishnayot. After eating dinner, students learn b’chavrusa amongst each other, and then Rabbi Nat concludes the evening with a shiur.

The special club is by invitation only. Students are chosen by Rabbi Landsman and their rebbeim from the previous year, and learn completely l’shmah, without any external incentives. This year, students are learning Mesechet Bava Metzia. The program functions in a 3-year cycle, learning Bava Kama, Bava Metzia, and Bava Batra. Students who join in 6th grade will complete and master the three masechtot by the time they graduate.

There is a major siyum at the end of the year where parents are invited to “shep nachas” from their boys. Each student presents a Mishnah and when the evening has concluded, the entire masechet has been summarized.

Rabbi Nat noted how Rabbi Lands - man believes that the shiur and group of young men are the crown jewels of our after-school programs, and it wouldn’t surprise him if these boys go on to being great rabbanim, leaders, and even gedolim in our community.

NICU doctors, and when the nurses saw the bags, they were thrilled. Each bag was then presented to parents who had babies in the NICU. This tremendous act of kindness and thoughtfulness helped raise the spirit of those families, and the entire project was dedicated in memory of the precious neshama of the baby who passed all too soon.

HANC is so proud of the girls for their sensitivity and creativity in bringing comfort and hope to others who are experiencing difficulties in their lives. May they continue to bring nechama to others and find even more opportunities to do acts of chessed.

Of course, Rabbi Nat wholeheartedly agrees with this sentiment. “Personally, it’s a great zechus for me to be the one chosen to lead this incredible group of young men. I’m so proud of everything they have accomplished,” he said.

This past Monday, Tu B’Shvat, the talmidim of Siach Yitzchok heard divrei Torah from the Menahel, sang a few niggunim, and then walked to the Menahel to receive a fruit.