Community Happenings

Around the Community

HAFTR Sweeps CIJE Robotics Tournament

Talia Platschek, Hailey Zicherman, Reanna Frand, Jessica Kass, and Rachel Stein

On Thursday, December 16, yeshivas from all over the tri-state area teemed into a state-of-the-art robotics arena for the 2021 CIJE Robotics Tournament, hosted at the HAFTR Lower School and Middle School Campus. The event brought out an explosion of talent, excitement, and technical skill. Although only students and coaches were permitted to attend, over 300 middle school and high school students from over 25 schools showed up to compete. HAFTR Middle School maintained their winning streak, sweeping the top four playoff spots and taking the championship in the middle school division. HAFTR Middle School boasts over 30 team members forming six teams. The students greatly pride themselves on their impressive performances and their undefeated reign.

“In a world where athletics are so celebrated, it is powerful to see a large group of confident motivated students pursuing a cerebral accomplishment with pride and energy,” shared HAFTR Middle School robotics team coach Mrs. Gittel Grant. Mrs. Grant serves as HAFTR Middle School Department Chair of STEM and has built a strong STEM education program that prepares students for rigorous STEM courses at the High School level.

In the High School Division, HAFTR High School was paired with Frisch in the championship round and reigned supreme, placing first, and bringing home the first ever robotics trophy to HAFTR at the high school division level. HAFTR High School robotics coach and STEM teacher, Mr. Mitchell Schanke, expressed tremendous pride in his students and expects even more precision and accomplishment come the Spring Tournament.

Rabbi Baruch Noy, HAFTR Director of STEM and Education Technology, credits HAFTR’s “STEM For All” vision with the first place wins in both the middle and high school divisions. Every HAFTR Middle School student is matriculated in a STEM class which builds on skills they began learning in kindergarten. Starting STEM from a young age breeds tremendous confidence and expertise in HAFTR’s older students. In fact, members of the team that won the High School division had themselves won the Middle School division just two years earlier, the last time that

Jack Ymar, Akiva Cunningham, and Ezra Goldstein

the competition was held in-person.

HAFTR Middle School robotics coach Mrs. Gittel Grant is grateful for all the support that CIJE provides Jewish Day Schools – direct mentor support, drone Olympics, and of course, a Yeshiva League Robotics Tournament which provides incredible experiential learning for the students.

Around the Community

Netzach Shalsheles Melava Malka

On Motzei Shabbos, December 11, Mesivta Netzach HaTorah held its annual Shalsheles Melava Malka. This annual event has become a highlight of the year as fathers, grandfathers, rebbeim and hanhala of the Mesivta gather for learning and inspiration. Rabbi Yitzchok Yurman, the menahel of the Mesivta, led the chavrusa learning on the topic of Asara B’Teves, followed by an in-depth shiur on the background, halachic and deeper meaning of the fast.

After the shiur, the talmidim and guests enjoyed a delicious Melava Malka ending with a kumzits led by their beloved rebbe and talented musician Rabbi Yechezkel Rodkin.

Learning never stops in Mrs. Salzberg’s first grade at YOSS! When we finish a test, we use our time

to stretch our brains

with stem challenges

HAFTR Early Childhood celebrated finishing Sefer Bereishis with special Shabbat party treats, certificates, and a solid foundation of the parsha stories

Chai Lifeline Kids Enjoy Look Inside World of Fashion

On Monday, December 20, luxury fashion brand Teri Jon by Rickie Freeman welcomed a group of Chai Lifeline girls impacted by pediatric illness to visit its Manhattan showroom and get an inside look at the world of fashion. The event was coordinated and led by Teri Jon Creative Director Leora Mishan who spoke about the process of fashion design and the power of taking ideas and insight from all around. The girls then enjoyed light refreshments before leaving for the Chai Lifeline New York office for lunch.

“We wanted to give the girls an overview of the design process, from inspiration to production,” said Mishan. “More importantly, we wanted to share Rickie Freeman’s story with them; show them that through strength and conviction they can be empowered to achieve anything they want.”

“It was really cool to see different types of dresses and how they were made,” said Michelle, a Chai Lifeline Warrior from Manalapan, New Jersey. “It was also great to just connect with new people and learn new things.” al children’s health support network, providing critical support to children with life-threatening and lifelong illnesses and their families. To learn more, make a donation, or get involved, visit www.chailifeline.org

Around the Community

A Lyme and Tick Awareness event was held by the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce Health and Medical Division in Lawrence last Thursday evening at the Moreman home. The event brought the community’s schools and camp leaders together to help promote prevention of tick-borne infections and save lives.

Living with the Parsha Debut of HAFTR High School Morning Announcements

At Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim, we don’t just learn the parshiyos, we learn to live with the parsha. The past few parshiyos have taught us what can happen when there is a lack of unity and achdus, and in order for Klal Yisroel to be redeemed from galus (exile), just like in Mitzraim, we need to live and learn, even with our individuality and differences, to work in unison and be together as one.

This past week, the talmidim had a fun time working together (b’achdus) in a team-building activity in Epic Escape the Room LI. Baruch Hashem, were able to “escape the room” even earlier than anticipated.

Kyra Seidel and Eitan Hazan

By: Kyra Seidel

Last week, the Morning Announcement weekly video podcast debuted at HAFTR High School. The show is a platform to inform the student body, faculty, and everyone at HAFTR about the current happenings at school, as well as upcoming events to look out for.

This all started when sophomore Kaitlin Pollack, a sophomore, was at Debate practice and heard her fellow team members talking about previous and upcoming events at HAFTR. Kaitlin wondered, “Why didn’t I know about any of these things?” This sparked the idea that led to the creation of Morning Announcements. After Kaitlin and I discussed the idea, we approached Ms. Ilona Diamond, Coordinator of Student Programs, and Dr. Joshua Wyner, Associate Principal, to turn this vision into a reality. Thus, Morning Announcements was born.

Kaitlin now produces and directs the filming of our two cohosts: myself and Eitan Hazan, along with the filming and editing crew of junior Corey Spitzer and freshman Zack Newmark. With the many events and programs at HAFTR, it is crucial and exciting to have these morning announcements. The podcasts can be viewed at HAFTR High School’s Instagram account @haftr_hs. We hope everyone keeps up to date and enjoys them!

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It’s Time for TAG!

By Mordechai Kastlebaum

It’s that time of year again, when the community comes out to support one of the landmark institutions of our community – Torah Academy for Girls (TAG).

With 1,900+ talmidos from preschool through 12th grade, TAG continues to be a premier school in our neighborhood and throughout the tri-state area. The famed TAG chinuch is respected and emulated by educators far and wide.

One of the crown jewels of the school is its advanced Resource Center which enriches education for many of its students. With cutting-edge technology and forward-thinking techniques, the center enables them to flourish and thrive in their studies.

Even more important are the crucial skills that are learned in the Resource Center. These skills are taught and reviewed constantly until they become ingrained in each girl. Indeed, it is these skills that will serve them well throughout their lives in whatever profession they choose to pursue.

The Time for TAG campaign that is going on right now is our annual campaign to support and bolster the TAG Resource Center. With the cost of educating each student rising every year, it is more important than ever to stand with our young daughters and give them the best opportunity for success in school and in life.

TAG allocates over $1,000,000 of our budget to fund this program, and participating families are not charged extra for this valuable resource. Your generous participation in this campaign literally changes the lives of so many talmidos.

Every dollar donated is truly an investment in our future!

Please join us at any of our neighborhood parlor meetings to participate in the campaign. If you can’t attend in person to show you sup-

port, please donate generously on-

line at TAGDonation.org.

Central Athletics is Live

Central Athletics is now live! The student-run “Central Broadcasting Club” began livestreaming athletic games this week beginning with Central Wildcats’ volleyball games against the Yeshivah of Flatbush. League rules restrict spectators to parents and students of the home team, so visiting teams’ parents and friends were unable to watch and cheer their school on. Central students, along with Athletic Director Erez Bar-Levy, realized that a great way to get more involvement from both Wildcat and visiting team fans would be to livestream the games. Under the capable direction of senior Yaira Goldress, all home games will now be broadcast on YouTube live.

Yaira, from West Hempstead, says of the new club: “Some of the exciting jobs that we get to do is work the camera, update the score of the game on the screen, or announce a play-by-play of what is happening in the game. It is so cool to hear all the positive feedback from the students and to see this idea of the broadcast club come to life!”

Senior Bat-Zion Atik operated the camera, while senior Kayla Moskowitz and sophomore Keira Kahn provided play-by-play announcing to help viewers feel like they were at the game. Faculty Advisor and Director of Technology Mrs. Marci Karoll is bursting with pride as Central made this happen. Mr. Bar-Levy also could not be prouder, saying, “It is during enduring times that we find out who we really are. Our student-athletes, coaches, administrators and parents have answered the call by showing character and personality to make the Basketball and Volleyball seasons happen.”

Subscribe to “Central Athletics” on YouTube and watch our games live. Let’s go Wildcats!

Around the Community

Yeshiva Darchei Torah pre-1A talmid Dovid Gerson with one of the yeshiva’s in-house feathered fowl friends Fathers and sons joined together for learning and tefillah at YSZ’s father-son breakfas

Lander College for Men Alumni Dinners

By Zak Runge

Each year, the Lander College for Men Alumni Dinners bring together students with alumni in their prospective fields. Lander College for Men alumni in numerous fields including medicine, dentistry, psychology, finance, and real estate visit their alma mater to share their career experiences with current students. This year’s dinner was especially valuable. “Covid threw many employers and professional schools off stride, and the challenges of landing the right job out of college have grown in complexity,” explained Lander College for Men Dean, Dr. Moshe Sokol. “Students have an opportunity to tap into the Lander network for guidance, support and honest answers to tough questions.”

These dinners, held over three consecutive nights in December, were standing room only. The premed dinner featured three speakers who opened the floor to students’ questions about medical school. Students were reassured when the alumni, including current and former medical students, all concurred that students graduating Lander were well prepared for the experience. Doneal Bromberg, a senior pre-med student, noted, “The speakers explained the importance of serious studying. A high GPA can get you into a medical school, but your success in medical school depends not just on what you learned but also on how well you learned it.”

At the close of the dinner, one of the speakers, Dr. David Bamshaed, a radiology resident at Mount Sinai Hospital, shared why he chose to become a doctor. “I couldn’t be happier or more grateful for the opportunity to do something I enjoy while being able to help others and trying to make a kiddush Hashem along the way,” said Bamshaed.

Avi Horowitz, CMA and Head of Financial Ops at the financial technology company Bread, spoke about entrepreneurship. He discussed the struggles of starting a new business, finding investors, creating a platform, and eventually selling the business. He explained that an entrepreneur requires a both grit and stick-to-it-ive-ness to develop a successful business. Horowitz said that there are ups and downs in business, but if you hang on and put in the work you will see success.

Students who attended the psychology dinner heard from four speakers. One is a research psychologist with a Ph.D., another is a clinical psychologist with a Psy.D, the third currently does research while finishing his dissertation, and the fourth works at Mount Sinai Hospital. They described the process of applying to graduate schools, and the many different settings in which psychologists are employed. One of the speakers, Dr. David Hersh, said, “Touro psychology professors advised, empowered, and motivated me, and I am proud to follow in their footsteps.”

Dean Moshe Sokol summed up the evening, “Hearing from LCM alumni who’ve succeeded in their chosen fields, who know exactly what it takes to succeed, and who know exactly the kind of college experience LCM students have gone through is of extraordinary value. They tell it like it is, from the inside, and give our students just the guidance they need to succeed.”

From my own experience, these dinners were extremely helpful, and I am grateful for the opportunity Lander College for Men offered.

Around the Community

Community Unites to Bring Refuah After Tragedy

By Shabsie Saphirstein

This past Wednesday evening, Chazaq coordinated a communal unity Tehillim event for the neighborhood of North Woodmere. Over 150 attendees gathered in person at Congregation Ohr Torah, while well over a thousand more watched online as neighborhood rabbonim took to the pulpit to recite the sacred words of Dovid HaMelech. When tragic news of a horrific fatal crash broke on Motza’ei Shabbos, December 11, there was a general understanding that every decision comes from Hashem. As a klal, we turn to tefillah when faced with tragedy and maintain a strong belief in Hashem’s ultimate plan. In recovery are Mrs. Miriam Meltser, her daughter Aliza, and Aliza’s friends Chana Eliana and Rachael.

“It is upon each of us to strengthen our mitzvos and tefilah tonight at this time is critical time,” said Robbie Aboff, Chazaq event’s coordinator.

Rabbi Yaniv Meirov, CEO of CHAZAQ, related, “It is very apropos that this community unity event is connected to this week’s parsha of Vayechi. We bless our children like Ephraim and Menashe and we know that Ephraim is younger than Menashe, but he was not arrogant at the fact that he had Yaakov Aveinu’s right hand and Menashe who was older was not jealous of his younger brother. The fact that they were united – like we are here tonight – is what Hakadosh

Rabbi Avrohom Binsky, mara d’asra, Kehilas Moreshes Yaakov, father of Mrs. Miriam Meltser

Baruch Hu wants of us.”

Rabbi Meirov pointed out that the Shechinah was removed from Yaakov Aveinu before he was niftar so that he could not reveal the end of days. The geulah will come by gathering and getting together. “Let this gathering with all the kehillos of the neighborhood bring a geulah for the community and the families affected,” said Rabbi Meirov.

Chazaq is no stranger to North Woodmere. In recent years, Congregation Ohr Torah, under the leadership of Rabbi Yehuda Eliyahu and Rabbi Aryeh Dachs, has opened its doors to the organization for children’s programming around chagim and for a Sunday school program, Shaping Lives, for children in public school.

The chizuk program began as a mere thought at the CHAZAQ headquarters and was made possible through the devotion of Rabbi Shmuel Witkin of Kehillas Bnai Hayeshivos. The community of North Woodmere exemplifies unity. All their shuls collaborated in the program – Beis Haknesses of North Woodmere and Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz, Khal Chassidim and Rabbi Teddy Newman, Kodesh and Rabbi Joey Rosenfeld, K’hal Lev Avos and Rabbi Shmuel Weinberg, the Young Israel of North Woodmere and Rabbi Yehuda Septimus – as well as the many community leaders and rabbonim lent a helping hand to connect all the dots of the evening. Chaverim of the Five Towns and Rockaway provided logistics.

In attendance was also Miriam’s father, Rabbi Avrohom Moshe Binsky, mara d’asra of Kehilas Moreshes Yaakov in Brooklyn, and his son, Miriam’s brother, Rabbi Daniel Yoel Binsky, the assistant rav, who delivered remarks expressing thanks for the way the community has opened themselves to give.

“We are one body,” said Miriam’s brother. “The progress is such a kiddush Hashem,” said Rabbi Binsky of his sister’s continued recovery. Rabbi Binsky asked the audience to appreciate each other and ourselves and act as one and not wait for a tragedy as a merit for his sister.

In thanking the participants, Miriam’s father evoked the memory of her grandparents who were killed during the Holocaust as a merit for her recovery.

Tehilim was delivered by Rabbi Eliyahu; Rabbi Septimus; Rabbi Yaakov Feitman, rav of the Red Shul; Rabbi Meir Whiteman, rav of TAG; Rabbi Witkin; Rabbi Weinberg; Rabbi Newman; Rabbi Dachs; and Rabbi Yaakov Bender, Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshiva Darchei Torah.

May the continued Tehillim bring a quick refuah to Miriam bas Ina Pesia Yocheved, Aliza bas Miriam, Chana Eliana bas Naomi, and Rachael bas Tamar, amongst all who are sick in klal Yisrael. May our tefillos also uplift the neshama of Liel Dina bas Efraim, a”h, who sadly perished in the crash.

Vivid Vocabulary

Mrs. Gross’s fifth graders at YOSS are “toadally” engrossed in the Night of the Spadefoot Toads. It is an exciting story of intergenerational friendship, activism, and how our actions can considerably influence our environment. Since students all learn in different methods and at different rates, it’s vital to practice vocabulary in a variety of ways. We know that repeated, meaningful interaction with words helps students learn, understand, and use them.

Enriching our vocabulary with the words from our mentor text, the students teamed up to practice their skills with support from the good old-fashioned dictionary. Then the students met up with other groups to compare their definitions. To add another element of mystery to our vocabulary detectives, the students played “Who Am I?” with the secret words attached to their backs. Only with the help of specific critical thinking questions could the student figure out what their word was.

The class had a great time and looks forward to more fun with words.

Around the Community

At the groundbreaking of a new playground in Lawrence Zion Park

scheduled to open in

the spring. Pictured here are Mayor Alex H. Edelman, Deputy Mayor Jeff Landy, Project

Coordinator and Trustee

Paris Popack, Village Administrator Ronald Goldman, and Deputy Village Administrator Gerry Castro, along with playground engineers.

Shevach Students Inspired to “Reconnect”

Shevach High School, under the leadership of its Menaheles, Mrs. Shulamith Insel, is very excited about their new technology program, introduced this year as “Reconnect.” The goal of this initiative is to reconnect to that which is truly important in life and disconnect as much as we can from today’s greatest nisayon, technology. The program was introduced with a creative breakout that was not only enjoyed by all, but more importantly, left the Shevach students inspired to change. Kudos to the staff technology coordinator, Mrs. Chaya Swerdloff, and senior heads, Sophia Ben Baruch, Chaya Shalva Boiangiu, Ahuva Grossman, Rochel Morgenstern, and Pesha Winter.

Every month, the Shevach girls receive a kabbalah card with a calendar and several suggested kabbalos listed. At the start of the month, each student chooses a kabbalah that she feels is most applicable to her. Every girl who completes her goal receives a charm at the end of the month to add to her “Reconnect” bracelet she had received at the breakout, and is now being customized based on her accomplishments.

In order to encourage and empower the girls to keep their kabbalos, every Thursday morning, immediately after davening, a different girl stands up in front of the entire school and speaks about her accomplishments. In the words of the students: “I feel so much freer without my phone at the dinner table,” “I realized how much of a toll my phone took on my social life. Now I am much more in the present and feel like I can CONNECT better with my surroundings,” “I am much less distracted and can focus on what’s really important in life.” Baruch Hashem this program has been very successful, and it is amazing to see the accomplishments of the girls in this important area.

On Chanukah, “Reconnect” launched a special initiative in which the girls were rewarded for staying off their devices a half hour after lighting the Chanukah candles. The students were given special Chanukah kabbalah cards on which to track their progress. After Chanukah, all who participated received hot cocoa and delicious chocolate chip cookies. It was incredible how many girls participated and completed the challenge! In the words of Mrs. Insel, “We are extremely proud of our girls who continuously strive to grow and connect to the messages that are being imbued in them daily.”

Prewriting in Nursery

By Morah Miriam Kaplan

Last week, the students at HAFTR nursery began one of my favorite units of the year – the unit on prewriting/storytelling. In this unit, I ask the children to illustrate an answer to three varying topics, spread out over the year. This year, we began with the topic “My talent is.” Over the past few weeks, we have been talking about Yosef and his special talent of interpreting dreams. At circle time, we have discussed that a talent is something that you like to do and are good at. We spent time listing the many talents of some of our teachers, classmates and families – from singing and dancing, to running, swimming and climbing trees. We even heard about a daddy who is a talented boss!

Last week, I sat with each child individually and asked them to tell me about one of their talents. We then discussed some details of that skill, things like color, shape and size. They then drew their interpretation of that talent, being sure to include those details in their drawing. This is a skill separate from free drawing (which we do plenty of!), in that it requires the kids to stop and think about what they are trying to execute before they begin. The results are amazing and hanging on our bulletin board for all to see. We can’t wait to bring them home and to see how the children progress in this skill throughout the year.

Did you know? The winter solstice marks the exact moment when half of Earth is tilted the farthest away from the sun. This year, it was on December 21.

Around the Community

The fifth grade talmidim of Siach Yitzchok visited the Yazlovitz Rov, Harav Ledderman, shlita, last week to receive their very first Gemara

A Day at SKA

Asizeable turn-out of eighth graders from many metropolitan elementary schools received a taste of what their high school experience at the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls would be like. On Thursday, December 16, student ambassadors welcomed aspiring high schoolers who got a glimpse of some of the highlights SKA has to offer, along with the warmth and energy it projects.

Mrs. Elisheva Kaminetsky, Principal, Judaic Studies, Mrs. Bluma Drebin, Principal, General Studies, Ms. Elana Flaumenhaft, Associate Principal, Mrs. Shira Englander, Dean of Students, Ms. Lisa Fogel, SKA Social Worker and Rabbi Yosef Zakutinsky, Director of Student Programs and Admissions, personally greeted all the girls they had met during the interview process and the Open House and gave a brief description about the day.

The eighth graders then heard from SKA panelists from different grades and varying elementary yeshivot who discussed their own experiences since coming to the school. The SKA students happily described what it’s like to enter a new school and how comfortable they were made to feel. Each panelist mentioned how eager everyone was to make new friends and how hard the administration and faculty worked to make them feel at home and cared for.

The incoming students were able to attend several ongoing core and elective classes, giving them the chance to observe the unique academics that are available at SKA.

Seats at each table at the delicious and informative lunch were filled with SKA ambassadors, enveloping the eighth graders with their enthusiasm. This was also another opportunity for the visitors to familiarize themselves with the many SKA activities and events offered.

Following lunch, it was time for clubs! The eighth graders participated in a variety of creative opportunities such as sushi making, dance and basketball, among others, and a Gallery of Inspiration workshop with Mrs. Kaminetsky. The day provided a wonderful preview of what an incredible high school experience at SKA could be.

We look forward to welcoming the Class of 2026!

Social Skills...But Fun at IVDU

At IVDU LI, academics are not the only focus but rather the entire child. To this end, social skills are constantly being taught and reinforced. Social work intern Tamar Lakritz runs a fun and exciting social skills group weekly for each class, focusing on a different important topic that the students need to learn. In order to make learning enjoyable, Tamar taught conversation skills through an interactive game show, where students worked together as a team, taking turns to answer questions on the smartboard.

Tamar has been teaching many social skills topics through games, such as emotions charades and other game shows that allow the students to play and learn simultaneously. Social skills are a necessary skill for children to learn in order to integrate into their society, helping them join their peers and adults in everyday life.

Debate Club at YOSS

The debate club at the Abraham and Sara Silber Middle School of Yeshiva of South Shore is in full swing. The 7th and 8th grade members held their first debate recently. The topic was: “Should professional athletes be mandated to vaccinate?”

Mr. Winkler, General Studies Principal, and Rabbi Greenberg are the judges for the debate club. Aside from scoring the debates, they offer critiques and advice to the debaters and help them improve their individual and team skills.

The program gives the students a chance to work on their oratory and researching skills.

“In general, people enjoy debating,” said Velvy Weber, YOSS Mechina student and member of the debate club. “The debate club offers us the opportunity to work on our debating skills.”

“I especially enjoy learning how to argue the right way,” said Hillel Cohen, another debate club member. Good luck to both the proposition and opposition in their next debate!

Around the Community

Recent speakers at Yeshiva Nishmas Hatorah included Rav Mordechai Groner, Mr. Charlie Harary, and Rav Roitman from the Torah Codes

A Meaningful Day at Shulamith

Last Thursday, a group of eighth grade Shulamith girls were involved in doing a chessed and team-building activity which fostered unity and achdut amongst the participants. We began the day by going to the Fountain of Kindness food pantry in Great Neck, where the main focus is to serve families in need. Afterwards, the girls went out to lunch and then completed the day in an escape room activity in West Hempstead.

The girls commented on how good they felt by being able to give back by helping others. In addition, the bonding experience they created with each other and the teachers allowed for a fun and meaningful day.

It is these events that allow for the daily learning to become a reality. Actively participating in acts of chessed gives this mitzvah a permanent place in our students’ hearts. We look forward to many more such days in the future.

YOSS ECC Siyum Sefer Bereishis Experience

Last week, each class at Yeshiva of South Shore focused on one specific parsha in Sefer Bereishis, then each child shared their favorite memory of Sefer Bereishis and created their own individual poster.

Rabbi Mordechai Kamentzky , the Rosh Yeshiva, joined the pre-1A boys at their siyum and addressed them with words of chizuk and bracha. They boys reviewed the parshiyos with Rebbe Eli Herzberg, sang, danced and enjoyed Torah cookies.

At the nursery and kindergarten siyum, the children were dressed as different objects from the parshiyos. There they shared their pictures and explained them to their friends and classmates. Together they all sang parsha songs, “Hamalach Hagoel,” “Chazak Chazak Vnischazek” and enjoyed delicious Torah cookies.

This Siyum Sefer Breishis experience encouraged creativity, self-esteem, group work, public speaking, strengthening memories, and, of course, lots of fun!

Around the Community

50 Years and Counting!

By Mordechai Kastelbaum

Rabbi Zvi Bajnon is one of few mechanchim in the country who can boast of more than 50 years in the field of chinuch. His career has spanned generations and influenced thousands of talmidim from across the spectrum. He is renowned for his wisdom and cherished for his warmth, devotion, and love for his talmidim. Rabbi Bajnon has become the quintessential rosh yeshiva for the talmidim of Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island and admirers from near and far.

As an accomplished talmid chochom, he has set the tone at YKLI for many years and set the ambitious bar for the level of learning and Yiddishkeit in the school. What a wonderful lesson our young boys experience every day when they daven Shacharis with Rabbi Bajnon at their head, teaching by example how to daven, learn, and appreciate Torah and mitzvos.

Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island will be honoring Rabbi Zvi Bajnon for his more than a Yovel of Educating Generations at their upcoming 26th Annual Dinner celebration. It promises to be a most fitting tribute to the man who thousands affectionately call their Rebbi.

The event will also honor Rabbi & Mrs. Yehoshua & Danielle Robinson, Mr. & Mrs. Eddie & Allison Silver, and Dr. & Mrs. Benjie & Rocky Stern. These exemplary couples are all beloved educators at Yeshiva Ketana as well as proud parents at the Yeshiva, and all share a longtime warm relationship with Rabbi Bajnon. They share his passion for Yiddishkeit while their sons benefit every day from his leadership at YKLI.

This year’s dinner will be especially meaningful as it comes after the challenges of last year when Covid upended so much of our children’s education. Today, Yeshiva Ketana has bounced back quickly, and every talmid is thriving in their studies as the yeshiva flourishes once again.

This year’s dinner will take place in-person at The Sands Atlantic Beach on January 3 at 7:00 pm. Dinner reservations and ads can be placed at YKLIdinner.org or by calling 516-791-2800.

Around the Community

YOSS Explores the Pioneers of NY

As 4th graders in Yeshiva of South Shore continue our study of New York State, we are currently exploring the pioneers of New York. We found out the first settlers were Native Americans from the Algonquian and the Haudenosaunee tribes. We learned many new and interesting ways in which the tribes used natural resources for food, tools, weapons, and canoes. The Algonquian tribe used birchbark to make canoes, which were faster, sturdier, and steadier than the canoes used by the Haudenosaunee. So much so that the Haudenosaunee stole the birchbark canoes from the Algonquians.

To bring the canoes to life, working in groups, the boys created their own canoe to hold as much cargo as possible. Each group was given 15 popsicle sticks, 10 straws, 2 feet of tin foil, and tape to build their own canoe. The students tested to see if their canoe could float in water. Pennies were placed inside as cargo, and we examined which design held the most pennies.

Bringing the textbook to life helps the class relate to what we are learning even more!

Something Fishy at TAG

The kindergarten classes at the Ganger Early Childhood Center at TAG were treated to a special presentation for their lesson on “kosher.” Mr. Dovid Scott, from Gourmet Glatt’s fish department and a proud TAG zaidy of our nursery talmidah, Hadassha Drillman, visited and taught the talmidos all about kosher fish. He showed them the fins and scales and also taught them so many amazing facts about these beautiful brios of Hashem!

Seen here is Hadassh Drillman, who was delighted to see her zaidy, Mr. Dovid Scott, who came to teach the talmidos of the kindergarten about kosher fish.

JCCRP Food Distribution

This past Sunday, the JCCRP hosted another food distribution for single mothers in our community. The distribution is part of the JCCRP’s Success Space for Women program, a comprehensive social services program helping single mothers and their families. This program is generously funded by the UJA Federation of NY and the Cabrini Health Foundation. Packages were filled by the amazing volunteers from HALB Jr High and Central High School.

For more information about the Success Space for Women program or to volunteer, please email info@ jccrp.org.

Around the Community

MTA Hosts Inspiring Yeshiva Fellowship Shabbaton

On Shabbos, December 10-11, MTA’s Yeshiva Fellowship program hosted its annual Shabbaton in Teaneck. The event kicked off with a Friday afternoon football game, where talmidim and rebbeim from across all grades enjoyed friendly competition. Talmidim then spent an inspirational Shabbos with their Yeshiva Fellowship Mashgichim, filled with beautiful tefillos and zemiros, divrei Torah, lively seudahs, and learning. They also welcomed eighth graders to the Friday night Tisch, where they experienced the ways in which MTA’s Yeshiva Fellowship talmidim motivate each other to achieve higher levels of learning and spirituality. The Shabbaton culminated with an incredible Shalosh Seudos, followed by Maariv and a meaningful Havdalah.

The Yeshiva Fellowship program is a unique initiative that provides MTA talmidim with additional opportunities to grow in Torah and to develop both communally and individually. Talmidim benefit from the personal guidance of a dedicated Mashgiach for each cohort and also participate in special trips, programs, Shabbatons, and Melaveh Malkas. With the participation of Rav Hershel Schachter, distinguished posek and RIETS Rosh Yeshiva/Rosh Kollel, and Rav Zvi Sobolofsky, esteemed RIETS Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshiva Fellowship talmidim take advantage of MTA’s relationship with the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) at YU. This includes following a special halacha curriculum, participating in chaburos with RIETS Roshei Yeshiva, and a weekly night seder.

How Darwinism Led to Nazism How Will this Impact America 2022?

By Rav Yitzchok Fingerer

In Parshas Shemos, the 210-year enslavement of the Jewish nation begins. The number 210 is comprised of the Hebrew letters Reish, Daled, Vov. These same letters appear in Parshas Bereishis, when humanity is told to subjugate the animal kingdom. The Torah exhorts humanity, “Redu” – to keep animals under the dominion of man and not the converse. Chazal tell us that when we treat animals with too much prestige, humans end up being abused.

Throughout history, an inverse relationship exists between humans’ concern for animals and humans’ concern for other human beings. Civilizations and societies that engaged in dressing up the animal tended to dress down the human.

Two examples, one from ancient history and one from modern history, should suffice to illustrate this point. The civilization of ancient Egypt enslaved human beings at the same time that they literally worshiped animals (according to Ibn Ezra, the Egyptians so venerated animals that they refrained from eating any form of animal life, as well as any derivative of animal life, including milk and eggs). Ancient Egypt flourished on slave labor. The pyramids and other grandiose structures were built by slaves — human beings who were cruelly mistreated, forced to work beyond their capacity, and tortured into submission. At the same time, the ancient Egyptians worshiped a whole pantheon of animals: Apis, a bull; Thoth, an ibis; Anubis, a jackal; Sekhmet,a lioness; Sebek, a crocodile; Bast, a cat; Setekh, a hound; Uadjit, a cobra; and Taurt, a hippopotamus; and, of course, the sheep.

It was partially for this reason that the Torah commanded animal sacrifice as a way of service. It was to accentuate the chasm between human being and animal, in a world where the human being was often viewed as inferior to animal. A similar inversion of values between human and animal reigned in Nazi Germany. Hitler, who murdered millions of human beings, was a vegetarian. As Nazi victims were sent to death camps, “humane societies” were established to take care of their now abandoned pets. Rudolf Hess, the commandant of Auschwitz, had two pet dogs whom he loved. Visitors to inter-war Berlin witnessed household pets dressed in pants and sweaters.

The most emphatic contemporary effort to obliterate the dis tinction between human beings and animals comes from Princeton Professor of Bioethics Peter Singer. Professor Singer, the inaugurator of the animal rights movement, is a champion of “animal liberation,” which he equates with the liberation movements of blacks and women. Professor Singer is fond of exclaiming, “We are animals!”

Professor Singer cannot be dismissed as an eccentric intellectual. His book Practical Ethics is one of the most widely used texts in applied ethics.

Could Professor Singer be right? Is there no essential distinction between humans and animals? And what difference does it make, anyway?

The ramifications are simple. In the animal, world there is no moral accountability. A lion is not labeled a “criminal,” “murderer,” or “deviant” for killing. Survival of the fittest is the rule of the day. Social Darwinism, a spin-off from Darwinism, resulted in the idea that the human being, a sophisticated ape, is also subject to natural selection and survival of the fittest.

Darwin himself foresaw the consequences of his theory. He wrote: “At some future period, not very distant as measured by centuries, the civilized races of man will certainly exterminate and replace the savage races throughout the world.” Using this idea, Hitler was able to convince much of the civilized world that a certain people, the Jews, were savage and deplorable – worthy of annihilation. German racist theory viewed man as just another species of animal, to which the laws of “natural selection” applied in full.

In theory, what could be wrong with a Darwinist, who didn’t like the color or style of your hair, weeding out your genes from the human gene pool? Scary, isn’t it?

And it all began with Egypt’s subjugation of the Jews in this week’s Parsha.

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HANC NCSY Relief Mission to New Orleans

By Grace Herschberg

On December 6-9, a group of seniors from HANC High School had the opportunity to go on an NCSY Relief Mission to New Orleans, Louisiana, to assist with hurricane cleanup. It was an amazing experience.

We learned about how hurricanes have long-lasting effects on communities, specifically low-income ones, and how rescue teams are still working to rebuild homes and communities from hurricanes as long ago as Katrina.

When we arrived on Tuesday, we went to the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, a community that was never able to rebuild after Katrina. We met Burnell, who runs the only supermarket/laundromat for the Lower 9th Ward, and learned about the devastation that occurred after Katrina and how the community was never given money or attention to rebuild. It was a meaningful experience, and we got to package gifts for the community and play with kids who come to his store.

After that, we went on horse and buggy rides around the French Quarter, learning about the rich history of the area and how important it is to preserve the city.

On Wednesday and Thursday, we had the opportunity to work with Nechama, a Jewish Relief Organization, to gut a house that was damaged in Hurricane Ida. We helped remove all of the family’s belongings from the house, sort the items, and start to gut the house to prepare for construction.

On Wednesday night, we took a trip to Preservation Hall in the French Quarter to listen to authentic jazz music and learn more about the musical history of the area. We also went to Cafè Du Monde for some New Orleans-style coffee and beignets, a great end to the night.

Overall, the trip was a very meaningful experience that taught us a lot about natural disasters and the long-lasting effects on families, homes, and communities, sometimes years after the fact.

Thank you to Dean of Students Mr. Avi Smus and to Assistant Director of College Guidance Ms. Brienne Schiano for chaperoning this memorable trip.

JSL SPORTS CORNER Fall Championship Recap

The final week of JSL was filled with drama and intensity. Congratulations to the winning teams! But most importantly, congratulations to every JSL boy for a season of fun, middos, and teamwork!

The Champions:

1st Grade Soccer: Harmony Group 2nd/3rd Soccer: Rebbe’s Choice 1st Grade Hockey: Sharona Beck 2nd/3rd Hockey: Gourmet Glatt 4th/5th Hockey: Alpert and Associates Financial 6th-8th Hockey: Home & Stone

Season MVPs

Ezra Cohen Saul Nathan Gavriel Levine Chaim Stern Moshe Berg Ari Schwartz Eliyahu Zachter Ari Frankel Davey Fischler Tzvi Tempelman Zac Grauman Rephael Klein Avi Berger Tzvi Kanner Avraham Rubin Aryeh Stoll Chaim Weinberger Shua Gerson Shmuel Markowitz Shlomo Hertz Akiva Rabinowitz Yehuda Edelstein Pinny Berger Eli Buchsbayew Benjy Somerstein Itamar Garrett Aharon Feinberg Tzvi Cohen

Game of the Week

CNSLT had been undefeated. They were up 2-1 late but Shimshi Goldman scored the tying goal with 3 minutes left. Rephael Klein, a defenseman, made an incredible save in overtime that CNSLT parents still can’t believe it didn’t go in. The shootout went 3-2 in favor of Alpert and Associates with Shimshi Goldman scoring the decisive goal. Dovi Wielgus made the winning save in the shootout.

Men’s Playoff Recap

Maidenbaum was down by 2 points in double OT. Team Captain and MVP Dovid Winter hit a 3 with 30 seconds left to pull out the victory. They will face the undefeated Team Cheese Store in the Championships next week.

Championship Week Fun Facts:

During intermission, Eliyahu Weinberger was given a single halfcourt shot attempt to win a $25 Amazon gift card and he drained it! Well done!

Team Maidenbaum enjoyed a Hockey Skills challenge. Ari Frenkel earned the best time by finishing in 25.94 seconds.

Swag Recap

Thanks to league sponsor FM Home Loans, each child this season received custom sports cards, wristbands, hockey pucks or soccer balls, stress reliever balls and bags! Each child also got enough BOGO slices and slurpee cards to help them fuel up! Even more awesome swag is coming for Winter leagues!

Fall Memories

JSL members enjoyed free bowling, mini golf and batting cages. There was a free Men’s volleyball night and a group Chanukah Islanders game with a group picture on the ice afterwards!

Fall JSL games were played in 4 different gyms and at Inwood Park, but parents worked alongside the league to ensure an amazing Fall Season despite Covid taking away our primary gyms! Thanks for a great season!

Winter Season

Register NOW for Winter! Limited spots left! Some grades closed out! Basketball for 3rd-8th. Soccer for K-3rd . Football for 1st-2nd. Hockey for 4th-5th. Men’s Basketball league. Lawrence Woodmere Academy Gym. Season starts Jan. 9th

5tjsl.com or questions to 5townsJSL@gmail.com

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Celebrating a Siyum Bereishit in Lev Chana

Chai Lifeline Kids Enjoy Look Inside World of Fashion

On Monday, December 20, luxury fashion brand Teri Jon by Rickie Freeman welcomed a group of Chai Lifeline girls impacted by pediatric illness to visit its Manhattan showroom and get an inside look at the world of fashion. The event was coordinated and led by Teri Jon Creative Director Leora Mishan who spoke about the process of fashion design and the power of taking ideas and insight from all around. The girls then enjoyed light refreshments before leaving for the Chai Lifeline New York office for lunch.

“We wanted to give the girls an overview of the design process, from inspiration to production,” said Mishan. “More importantly, we wanted to share Rickie Freeman’s story with them; show them that through strength and conviction they can be empowered to achieve anything they want.”

“It was really cool to see different types of dresses and how they were made,” said Michelle, a Chai Lifeline Warrior from Manalapan, New Jersey. “It was also great to just connect with new people and learn new things.”

Did you know? Winter solstice is the shortest day of the year

Chai Lifeline is a leading international children’s health support

network, providing critical support to children with life-threaten-

ing and lifelong illnesses and their

families. To learn more, make a donation, or get involved, visit www. chailifeline.org

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Netzach Shalsheles Melava Malka

On Motzei Shabbos, December 11, Mesivta Netzach HaTorah held its annual Shalsheles Melava Malka. This annual event has become a highlight of the year as fathers, grandfathers, rebbeim and hanhala of the Mesivta gather for learning and inspiration. Rabbi Yitzchok Yurman, the menahel of the Mesivta, led the chavrusa learning on the topic of Asara B’Teves, followed by an in-depth shiur on the background, halachic and deeper meaning of the fast.

After the shiur, the talmidim and guests enjoyed a delicious Melava Malka ending with a kumzits led by their beloved rebbe and talented musician Rabbi Yechezkel Rodkin.

Learning never stops in Mrs. Salzberg’s first grade at YOSS! When we finish a test, we use our time

to stretch our brains

with stem challenges

Safety Kid in Our Schools

Ten years ago, the Jewish community was shaken to its core by the abduction and subsequent murder of eight-year-old Leiby Kletzky, a”h. Communities across the country sprang into action to figure out how to protect our children. After much research, Mrs. Sara Bergman of Lawrence, NY, spearheaded the program in the Five Towns/Far Rockaway to unite the community in the singular goal of empowering children. The tremendous unity that spanned all of the Jewish schools from Hewlett to Far Rockaway indicated the importance that everyone placed on this initiative.

At that time, emissaries from California were brought in to train parents, administrators, and teachers. Mental health professionals were involved in certain areas of training school officials. Every school required its parent body to attend educational programs that addressed issues of child safety and signs of abuse. “Safety Kid” was introduced to us. Mothers from every school were trained by professionals to teach this program in an age-appropriate way to children in preschool through elementary school. The playful puppet and colorful posters introduced the A, B, C, Ds of safety in a fun and nonthreatening way. The lessons were reinforced with a short video of the “Safety Kid,” explaining how to be safe in different scenarios. Follow-up material was sent home to the parents to continue the conversation with their children and designate the “trusted adults” to turn to when feeling unsafe.

Unfortunately, we live in a world that is inhabited by predators. Children feel empowered when they have the tools to keep safe and know who can help when in need. Dedicated women of the community have been presenting these workshops in schools every year until COVID hit. Sadly, due to the pandemic, many children have not heard the workshop in two years. As stories appear in the news of influential people taking advantage of their position to harm children, our community is banding together to protect and advocate for our children. Just this week, the liaisons to each of the schools and many presenters met to brainstorm how this program can be brought back to life. Dr. Shoshana Karasick, a clinical psychologist who has been involved since the inception of the program, addressed the gathering, reminding us of how important this program is. She referred to the Mishna that states that saving a life is like saving an entire world. The tools we give our children can protect and save lives.

In a strong expression of unity and dedication, our school leaders and parent representatives have committed to once again teach the basic lifesaving A, B, C, Ds of safety to our children in all the schools. Presenters will once again be going into classrooms across the neighborhood. We will do our part, but the rest lies with you, the parents, to keep the conversation going at home so that this important topic does not fall through the cracks.

HAFTR Early Childhood celebrated finishing Sefer Bereishis with special Shabbat party treats, certificates, and a solid foundation of the parsha stories

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Thanksgiving & Chanukah at the YIJE

Cooler weather has not slowed down the constant activity at Young Israel of Jamaica Estates. Starting with another installment of the popular and inspiring Monthly Mitzvah Morning program, families came together on a Sunday morning to spread some cheer to those less fortunate and create Thanksgiving centerpieces to be included in the Queens Commonpoint Thanksgiving packages. Thanksgiving then blended into Chanukah and the fun and giving kept on coming.

Jacob Herskowitz, YIJE’s energetic youth director, led Chanukah themed “Sufganiot Games” and a Sunday morning “Chanukah Blast” Chagiga with fun and games, and of course plenty of doughnuts and chocolate gelt! Adults and children alike were able to join in the fun with a Chanukah Melaka Malka featuring Chazan Meir Pinchas and Sandi Shmueli. The climax of the Chanukah season was certainly the joint communal event in Cunningham Park with international sensation Nissim Black! What an awesome display of achdut and a tremendous kiddush Hashem. The Young Israel of Jamaica Estates proudly joined together with a dozen other shuls and organizations to all celebrate together in the park.

All this, and the winter fun has just begun!

Yaakov Hagoel, chairman of World Zionist Organization and acting chairman of the Jewish Agency, received a bracha from Moran Hagaon Rav Chaim Kanievsky, shlita, last week. Hagoel was accompanied to Rav Chaim by MK Rabbi Yitzchok Pindrus of the Degel Hatorah party

Mrs. Traub’s first graders at YOSS used whisper phones to help them search for digraphs in their mini-readers

HAFTR Speech and Debate Team Success

By: Michal Mari

Last week’s virtual Debate competition was a smashing success for HAFTR High School’s Speech and Debate Team. In total, the competition hosted 61 students, 23 judges, and 12 schools, some from as far as Georgia and Texas. In the Extemporaneous debate, two sophomore teams tied for first place: myself and Maya Karasanti; and Dasi Well and Sophie Gober. Both teams won 3 of their 4 rounds. In the Lincoln-Douglas debate, sophomore Kaitlin Pollack placed first place overall, winning both of her rounds.

Following these accomplishments, the team participated in a speech competition on Monday, December 13, continuing to put HAFTR in the spotlight and emphasizing another successful endeavor for the Speech and Debate team. In Radio Speaking, sophomore Maya Karasanti and freshman Alexandra Fuchs, both of whom are new team members this year, tied for first place. Together, they took down the reigning champion from Ramaz. In addition, junior Andrew Berger placed third overall and fourth overall in impromptu speaking. Kyra Seidel also placed third overall in impromptu speaking

The next competitions for the Speech and Debate Team are the upcoming Model Congress tournament, which will be held on December 21, and a Debate competition on January 5. We wish the entire team good luck.

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The Ganger Early Childhood Center at

TAG made a siyum on Sefer Bereishis this week. They invited the first grades to come celebrate with them. The talmidos reviewed

all of the parshios, sang songs, and

enjoyed special treats.

YCQ Bakes Challah

On Wednesday, December 15, YCQ PTO members and their families came together in celebration of the mitzvah of baking challah at the YCQ PTO Annual Challah Bake. Inspired and guided by speaker Mrs. Naomi Elberg, of @naomi_tgis, over 100 participants baked challah in merit of tefillot for friends, family, and community members.

Mrs. Naomi Elberg, originally an early childhood educator, found her true passion in baking and the kosher culinary world. In 2014, Naomi decided to follow her dream full time by starting TGIS Challah – which stands for Thank Goodness it’s Shabbos –offering challahs, babkas and more.

“Having a live Challah Bake is such a bracha for us! While Zoom has been useful, and we did have a successful Challah Bake last year, nothing is better than being together to perform such a special mitzvah together in person! What I love about the YCQ PTO Challah Bake every year is the feeling of achdus and unity; being in the room when everyone is davening is an unbelievable feeling. We all get busy, it’s life, and we don’t always get time to stop and appreciate and reflect, and I take such pride in helping to gift those special moments to our YCQ community,” reported Mrs. Julie Faska, YCQ PTO Co-President.

Mrs. Valerie Olsen, YCQ Parent and former YCQ PTO Co-President, stated, “The challah bake was a wonderful event! Attended by over 100 participants and sponsors, we were wowed by Instagram sensation Mrs. Naomi Elberg. Everyone learned how to braid beautiful designs with their challah dough!”

Mr. Simon Landsberg, Co-President of the YCQ PTO, expressed, “The YCQ PTO is so appreciative of the help of countless parent-volunteers and students, who helped prepare for the Challah Bake in advance.

The shlepping of hundreds of pounds of flour, sugar, salt, yeast, gallons of water and oil, which are then premeasured for every attendee, is a lot of work and without their help we could not have held such a wonderful event.

Cross River Appoints Miriam L. Wallach as New Head of Social Responsibility

Cross River Bank, a technology-driven financial services organization, announced this week that it has appointed Miriam L. Wallach as Head of Social Responsibility to spearhead the Company’s social and philanthropic initiatives. With over a decade of experience cultivating relationships with diverse nonprofit organizations and serving as a powerful voice for the community, Wallach will further expand Cross River’s mission to support worthy organizations.

“As we approach the new year, we have big plans for Cross River particularly our philanthropy and charitable giving,” said Gilles Gade, Founder, President and CEO of Cross River. “Miriam will be instrumental to ensure we exceed these goals and provide us with the strategy to get to the next level.”

“It’s been a true privilege to serve as General Manager at the Nachum Segal Network for almost a decade, and I am incredibly blessed and excited to be joining the team at Cross River,” said Miriam L. Wallach. “Cross River truly embodies the spirit of communal engagement and charitable giving, and this new role will enable me to continue to better our communities.”

As Head of Social Responsibility, Wallach will be focused on philanthropy, charitable giving, employee engagement and corporate social responsibility. Previously General Manager and radio personality at Nachum Segal Network (NSN), she brings strong expertise and experience in developing original content, programming, and campaigns to best serve communities, as well as building and maintaining strong relationships with pillars of the Jewish community to enact change.

“Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work alongside Miriam on many exciting projects and I am confident she will make a tremendous addition to the Cross River family,” said Phil Goldfeder, Head of Global Public Affairs at Cross River. “Cross River was founded on the principles of charitable giving and community engagement, and as we continue to grow, we’ll keep building on that foundation which has enabled our success.”