By Chanita Teitz

We spent a memorable yom tov at the YU Yarchei Kallah at the Westchester Hilton in Rye, New York. We spent three days of total immersion in Torah topics in a euphoric environment that reminded me of the feeling I have on Yom Kippur–isolated from the mundane and suspended in total spirituality. We hardly got much sleep during the day, because we wanted to attend as many shiurim as possible.

We went with friends, made new friends, and of course played Jewish geography. It never ceases to amaze me how connected we all are.

The shiurim were all excellent. The cream of the crop from YU presented shiurim and lectures, and it was also evident that the many talmidim who were there had close and reciprocal relationships with the rebbeim.

Some of the highlights for me:

Rabbi Penner’s talk on the importance of learning Navi and teaching it dramatically. Navi gives us a glimpse at what life was like in ancient Eretz Yisrael.

In one of Rabbi Weinberg’s talks he asked a question: “What does Hashem want from us?” After many suggestions from the audience, he said that the most important thing Hashem wants is for us to be close to Him.

Dr. Savitzky said Israel dwells in a dangerous neighborhood and proceeded to give us a glimpse of Israel’s neighbors. In order to combat BDS and win the public-relations war, we have to know the facts.

And Dr. Joel, the president of YU, said that we live in very dangerous times and we, Jews, must be the antidote to the immorality and confusion in the world.

Several speakers reinforced the idea that Israel and the Jews exist on miracles. We also heard about the Rambam and Kabbalah; the kedushah of Shabbos and yom tov; halachah in the workplace, with questions posed by Rabbi Joseph and answered by Rav Schechter and with an added psychological perspective by Dr. Pelcowitz; and so much more.

One of the most interesting lectures by Dr. Julie Stern-Joseph was about a minhag I had never heard of. It was a minhag called “laying wicks,” which was practiced by women in the Middle Ages. The women took thread and went to the cemetery between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and encircled the graves of their ancestors with the string. They then took the string and twisted it into wicks and made candles–some to give to the shul and some for the home, usually used as a yahrzeit candle.

The spirited davening, zemiros, and dancing at the meals was beautiful. At the ne’ilas ha’chag on Monday evening we were all invited to bring our chairs into the middle of the dining room for an uplifting kumzits. As music is the language of the soul, it created a mystical and uplifting end to an amazing yom tov.

 

Bnos Malka Commencement

Hills - Bnos Malka Graduation 2016On June 20, Bnos Malka Academy celebrated the commencement ceremony for their 8th-grade graduating class. As the girls walked down with pride, their confidence was evident, their growth apparent from their years at Bnos Malka. The valedictorians, Rochel Starkman and Orly Bakhshi, spoke of the values of hakaras ha’tov and perseverance that they gained through their years at Bnos Malka. The salutatorians, Ayli Tavakoly and Chana Deitsch, were lauded for their wonderful academic achievements. The other two award recipients were Etti Feinberg as the Samuel Landau Chesed awardee, and Aliza Strauss for Outstanding Leadership. While six specific awards were given, each student truly deserved accolades for their growth, development, and perseverance. As the girls move on to their various high schools, they go with the knowledge and understanding that they can achieve great feats with the help of Hashem. They have been given a solid foundation in academics, middos, self-confidence, and the value of personal growth. Mazal tov to all of the graduates of Bnos Malka; we will continue to watch with pride as you go mei’chayil el chayil.

 

Chazaq Opens
Two New Branches

With so many inspirational programs emanating from Chazaq throughout the Queens community, Chazaq celebrated two groundbreaking events over the past few days.

On Monday, June 6, Chazaq introduced its new afterschool public-school program for Jewish students in the Kew Gardens Hills section of Queens. Dozens of Jewish students who are not privileged to be in yeshiva are now receiving a Jewish education several times a week with a special emphasis in assisting their parents to obtain a yeshiva education for their children.

In just five days of programming, both the parents and the children are extremely excited. One mother was overly emotional seeing her son return home with beautiful flowers that they decorated in honor of Shavuos, and immediately expressed an interest in taking her child’s Jewish education to the next level. Chazaq’s operations manager, Yaniv Meirov, met with numerous yeshivos to make arrangements for a yeshiva education smoother for all parties involved, and is looking forward to personally assuring a Jewish education for anyone who is truly interested.

While the Kew Gardens Hills program is focusing on children, Chazaq’s Forest Hills public-school program focuses on teenage boys and girls. Recently, the girls celebrated completing a course in the basics of Judaism while the boys had the opportunity to hear words of chizuk from rebbeim of local kiruv yeshivos.

As the school year comes to a close, Chazaq’s staff dedicated countless hours with the youth, guiding them to a meaningful and spiritual journey throughout the school year. While a number of the teenage students will be taking the step from public school to yeshiva in the upcoming year, scores of others are continuously attending Chazaq programs throughout the week, thereby drawing inspiration that they were sorely lacking in a world that is “full of confusion,” as expressed by a female participant.

In addition to this, Chazaq had its groundbreaking event for its newest branch, Chazaq West Hempstead. The West Hempstead community was uplifted by Rabbi Ben Zion Shafier’s lecture about “Aspiring for Greatness.” Chazaq also hosted two special Russian lectures this past week by Rabbi Tzvi Patlas from the Toldos Yeshurun organization, and co-sponsored a community-wide couples event in Far Rockaway. “It’s just another way to bring inspiration to people thirsty for Torah,” says Meirov. If you have any suggestions or comments that will help Chazaq further inspire members of the community, please call 718-285-9132 or email Info@Chazaq.org.

 

Upcoming Events

JEP of Queens Testimonial Breakfast, featuring a Memorial Tribute to Marshal Epstein, z’l, on Sunday, June 26 at 9:00 a.m. in the YI of Hillcrest, 169-07 Jewel Ave. For reservations or journal ads call 718-544-5213, fax 718-793-1206, or e-mail Jepbreakfast@gmail.com.

Rabbi Shmuel Neiman, “Men and Women: The Survival of Love,” sponsored by Chazaq. Sunday, June 26 at 8:30 pm at Beth Gavriel Community Center 66-35 108th Street, Forest Hills. Free admission. Sushi will be served.

Yachad Rocks Queens. Sunday, June 26, 7:00—9:00 p.m. at Young Israel of Jamaica Estates, 83-10 188th Street, Jamaica Estates. $54 per person online; $60 at the door. Contact Dani Kolat at 212-613-8373 or e-mail kolatd@ou.org. v

Chanita Teitz is a real-estate broker at Astor Brokerage in Kew Gardens Hills, serving the entire Queens vicinity. For all your real-estate needs, call her at 718-263-4500 or e-mail chanita@astorbrokerage.com.

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