VOLUME 13 NUMBER 25 APRIL 24, 2015 5 IYAR 5775
UPCOMING Parshiyot Tazria/Metzorah
EVENTS
By: Rabbi Landsman
Candlelighting: 7:25
Havdalah: 8:27 In this week’s Torah portion we read about various types of plagues and dermatological
illnesses that create a climate of impunity and negativity. We are no longer privy to the
May 5 and 6 identity and physical appearance of these plagues that are recorded for us in this week's
Mother’s/Father’s Day Torah reading. These plagues are currently unknown to us and they are certainly not the
Boutique modern form of leprosy, which was the usual understanding of them for a number of past
centuries.
Thursday, May 7 Nevertheless, as the Torah is always multi-layered and must be understood on many
Lag BÓmer Programs different levels and planes, there are certainly lessons that we can derive from this week's
Torah reading that are relevant to our lives and society. Rabbi Wein explains that we
Wednesday, May 13 encounter plagues during our lifetime. They may be physical, mental, spiritual, financial,
PA Supperette family associated or work related.
The Torah reading divides its litany of plagues into different categories. There are plagues
Sunday, May 17 that affect the physical body of the person, while there are others that manifest themselves in
Yom Yerushalayim the clothing or in the structure of the home and residence where the person lives. Many of
the commentators to the Torah have seen this division of the plagues that can afflict human
Monday, May 18 beings as being categorized as personal, societal and familial.
Transition Night These three areas of life, one’s own being and body, one’s society and community and one’s
Grade 5 family are the areas of life and existence that are most vulnerable to plagues or troubles.
There are also those areas of life that can bring one the most satisfaction and sense of
Tuesday, May 19 achievement. In the world of the Torah, what is most fragile and potentially impure is also
PA Meeting 8:30 what can be the greatest source of strength and holiness.
These three areas of life require constant vigilance and effort to remain healthy, productive
and noble. The Torah bids us to care for ourselves. Our bodies and our health are not to be
abused or taken for granted. We oftentimes sacrifice our physical well-being for transitory
gain and imagined security. This type of attitude creates a plague within us that sooner or
YCQ Family News later will affect and injure us.
Mazel Tov to Part of the idea of the quarantine that the Torah describes for us in this week's Torah
Mrs. Doreen Ambalu reading is to give the individual an opportunity to analyze and think about one's self and
(4-305) on the birth how to properly take care of one's own physical well-being. No person should live in
complete isolation. Belonging to and contributing to community synagogues, charitable or-
of a baby boy! ganizations, study groups, etc. becomes our clothing, so to speak the external persona that
Mazel Tov to we project. The great Choni Hamageil of Second Temple times said it well: “if there is no
community, then there is only death.”
Jason Kochman on his There is a responsibility of great magnitude in bringing children into this world. That re-
Bar Mitzvah! sponsibility for raising, guiding, caring and training one's own family cannot be transferred
completely to schools, institutions, peer groups or others. To attempt to do so invites
Mazel Tov to plagues in one's own home. So, we should always be on the lookout to avoid these types of
Natanel Luria on his plagues that currently do exist in our world.
Bar Mitzvah! Shabbat Shalom!
YCQ CELEBRATES IT’S 74TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER
The YCQ 74th Anniversary Scholarship Dinner was held at the Sands in Atlantic Beach on Sunday evening, April
19. Rabbi Moshe Hamel, led the room in Hatikvah and the Star Spangled Banner to begin the evening. At the
dinner this year the Guests of Honor were Dr. Joel and Marjorie Wein, true leaders of the YCQ family as well as
parents of graduates and current students. Mrs. Wein as a former educator and PA Book Fair coordinator and
Dr. Wein is chairman of the YCQ Board of Education.
After 35 years of a connection to YCQ as a parent of past graduates, an active member of the Parent Association,
and most importantly, a teacher, Mrs. Esther Ben-Habib was honored with the Educator Award.
YCQ Parent , Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz was the recipient of the Keter Shem Tov Award for the
continued support he gives the school as well as the community.
In addition, we honored the Class of 2004 on their 10 year anniversary and the Class of 1975 on their 4o year
anniversary. A video was presented at the dinner highlighting events during the year. Thank you to dinner
co-chairs, Mrs. Reize Sipzner and Mrs. Pearl Cohen, all of volunteers, and members of the YCQ staff that gave
their time to see that the YCQ 74th Anniversary Scholarship Dinner event was a success!
Cupcake Games!
On Tuesday, Class 3 - 210 celebrated finishing Parshat Chayai Sara with
a Siyum. They started by reviewing the whole Parsha, and celebrated
with singing and dancing. Morah Kadosh then had a special "Cupcake
Game" where the class was divided into teams, and each team had to
create an original cupcake that connected to the Parsha. Everyone
worked very hard and came up with very creative cupcakes. The winning
team created a magnificent cupcake!
Third Grade Scientists!
The third graders in YCQ got a delightful surprise visit recently! Tadpoles!
Mrs. Halpern, Mrs. Miles, and Ms. Rosenblum’s third grade classes are working
with YCQ’s Science teacher, Mr. Benson, to help students understand the life
cycle of a frog. These third graders have become scientists, carefully observing
their tadpoles and jotting down their observations and development. Both
teachers and students are super excited to see the changes right before their
very own eyes!
Yom HaShoah Programs for the Preschool Through Fourth Grade
On Monday, April 8t, we commemorated Yom HaShoah. Each grade was taught about the Holocaust in an age
appropriate way. Morah Sharon told the story of Anne Frank with the help of pictures on the SmartBoard. Rabbi
Eisenberg read, Keeping the Promise: A Torah’s Journey, a story of a tiny Torah that was smuggled into
Bergen-Belsen,to the elementary school students. Mr. Cohen shared a personal family story about the Holocaust. He
also discussed how lucky we are to live in a free country: a place where we can openly be Jewish and not live in fear.
The third and fourth grade participated in a meaningful assembly led by Rabbi Landsman. Both the elementary and
Rabbi Nat’s choir performed inspirational songs. There was a very moving candle lighting ceremony in which
students who had a family member who survived the Holocaust were invited to light a candle in their memory. After
each candle was lit, the representative shared a short personal story of the Holocaust. After the candle lighting
ceremony, the students watched, Daniel’s Story, a movie about the Holocaust through the eyes of a child. The program
ended with an uplifting video. Yihey zichram baruch!
Grade 5-8 Commemorates Yom HaShoah
On Thursday, April 16, the JHS students commemorated Yom HaShoah with a moving
production for the students in grades 5-7. The theme of the performance was I Never Saw
Another Butterfly. The play included choir, dance and beautiful and moving scenery. The
entire audience heard survivors’ stories. Everyone viewed a very poignant PowerPoint
production. The program concluded with the lighting of candles to commemorate the six
million Jewish people that were killed in the Holocaust. Thank you to Rabbi Nat, Mrs.
Goldschmeidt, and all of the 8th grade teachers for making this program so special.
Celebrate Israel Parade will take place on May 31, 2015.
Grades 4-8 are required to march with YCQ. Please fill out all the information by
Friday, May 8, at www.ycqweb.com/parade_form.
The cost for the t-shirt is $10. It is mandatory for all marchers to purchase and wear
the t-shirt for the duration of the parade as per NYPD security regulations.
Payment can either be made through PayPal, or via cash/check to be given to your
child’s parade representative. Checks made payable to YCQ.
Each class will be assigned a parade representative who will collect the money at the
start of each day. The first class with 100% response will receive an ice cream and
donut party. Each subsequent class that gets 100% response will receive an ice cream
party. Any child who will not be able to attend this mandatory event must bring a note
from a parent to Rabbi Landsman that will be collected by their parade reps.
Transportation will be subsidized by the school. Please make sure to fill out how each
member of your family will be getting to and from the parade.
As per NYPD security regulations, NO strollers are permitted on the parade route!
If you bring a stroller, you will be UNABLE to march with YCQ and asked to stand with
the spectators!!
Thank you in advance!
Looking forward to seeing you at the parade!
Save the Date
for the annual
YCQ Parents Association Spring Supperette
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
7:30 pm
Yeshiva of Central Queens
147-37 70th Road
Flushing, NY
Details to follow via
Parentlocker and the View
The Spring Supperette Committee
The YCQ Parents Association
presents
our first annual pre-camp LABEL SALE
featuring the labels of
The following link will take you directly to the
YCQ Parents Association Campaign page
https://www.mabelsfundraising.com/campaigns/22194-ycq-
parents-association.
There you can place your order for all of your camp labels,
have them shipped directly to your house,
and the YCQ-PA will make 20% on each sale.
The sale will be running through June 21, 2015
Questions?
Email us at [email protected] or
[email protected]
Dear Parents,
The YCQ is proud to announce that after a hiatus of several years, we will once again be running
our Mother’s/Father’s Day Boutique this year.
The boutique will take place in the Junior High Multi Purpose Room and is scheduled for
Tuesday, May 5th and Wednesday, May 6th. The children will have an opportunity to shop for
gifts for parents and grandparents for both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
We will have a variety of items that will cost between $4.00 and $12.00.
CLASSES FROM NURSERY TO 8TH GRADE WILL BE SCHEDULED FOR VISITS TO
THE MOTHER’S/FATHER’S DAY BOUTIQUE.
ALL PARENTS ARE WELCOME TO COME AND SHOP EACH DAY.
IF YOU CANNOT MAKE IT, PLEASE REMEMBER TO SEND MONEY ALONG WITH
YOUR CHILD ON THE DAY OF HIS/HER VISIT.
FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, ALL NURSERY THROUGH GRADE 3 STUDENTS WILL
BE RECEIVING ENVELOPES TO PUT THEIR MONEY/CHANGE IN.
For the boutique to be a success, we need your assistance! We are looking for some great
volunteers to set up and help us at the boutique. If you can give of your time in some capacity,
please contact one of the people listed below.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!
Help Support our Parents Association!
Set-up: Motza’ei Shabbat May 2 9:15pm
Boutique: Tue. May 4th 9am-12pm & 12:30pm-3:30pm
Boutique: Wed. May 5th 9am-12pm & 12:30-3:30pm
If you can help, please call or email:
Shelly Peretz: 646.932.1300/[email protected]
YCQ-PA: [email protected]
YCQ JHS APRIL TEST CALENDAR
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
1 3
2
5 6 7 8 9 10
12 13 14 15 16 17
19 20
Math (Sider) 24
7th Grade Vocab
21 22 23
8th Grade Science 8th Grade Algebra
26 27 28 29 30
7th Grade Social Studies
6th Grade Science Test
7th Grade Language Arts
Yeshiva of Central Queens
September 2015 Sat September 2015‐2016 February 2016
Sun Mo Tue We Thu Fri Sun Mo Tue We Thu Fri Sat
5 1 New Faculty Orientation
1 2 3 4 2 Faculty Workshops 1 2 3 4 5 6
3 First Day of School Grades 2-8
3 Student Orientation Grades N, K, 1
4 First Day of School Grades. N-1
5 JHS Selichot Learning Program
7 Labor Day (No Sessions)
8 Bus Service Begins
13-15 Rosh Hashanah (No Sessions)
16 Fast of Gedaliah (1:30 Dismissal)
22 Erev Yom Kippur (No Sessions)
23 Yom Kippur (No Sessions)
27-6 Succot (No Sessions)
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 October 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
13 14 15 16 17 18 12 Columbus Day– No Bus Service 3:30 Dismissal K-8 14 15 20
21 22 16 17 18 19 27
20 21 22 23 24 25 19 12 JHS Back to School Night 7:30 PM 28 29
27 28 29 30 13 Back to School Night Grades 2-3 7PM 23 24 25 26
Sun Mo Sat
October 2015 13 Grades 4-5 8 PM
Sun Mo Tue We Thu Fri Back to School Night Grades N-1 7:30 PM March 2016 5
26 14 6 7 Tue We Thu Fri 12
1 2 26 New Family Welcome Reception 8 PM 13 14 19
4 5 6 7 8 9 28 Grade 8 Parents High School Night 8 PM 20 21 1 2 3 4 26
11 12 13 14 15 16 27 28 8 9 10 11
18 19 20 21 22 23 Sat November 15 16 17 18
25 26 27 28 29 30 Sun Mo 22 23 24 25 Sat
3 3 Election Day Regular Sessions 29 30 31
November 2015 10 6-7 JHS Boys Shabbaton 2
Sun Mo Tue We Thu Fri 17 8 Preschool Open House 10 AM 3 4 April 2016 9
24 10 Bar Mitzvah Workshop 7th Grade Boys 7PM 10 11 Tue We Thu Fri 16
11 BJE Conferences (No Sessions) 17 18 23
1 2 3 4 5 6 17 Bat Mitzvah Workshop 6th Grade Girls 7 PM 24 25 1 30
8 9 10 11 12 13 17-18 Picture Day 5 6 7 8
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Grade 3 Intergenerational Melave Malka 7PM Sun Mo 12 13 14 15 Sat
22 23 24 25 26 27 22 Judaic Studies Grade 8 BJE Exam 19 20 21 22
29 30 26-27 Thanksgiving (No Sessions) 1 2 26 27 28 29 7
8 9 14
December 2015 31 December 15 16 May 2016 21
Su Mo Tue We Thu Fri 2 & 15 Parent-Teacher Conferences 3:45 Dismissal 22 23 Tue We Thu Fri 28
Sat 6 & 13 Chumash Presentations 2 Classes
1 2 3 4 14 Chanukah - No Sessions 3 4 5 6
6 7 8 9 10 11 22 Asara B’Tevet (1:30 Dismissal) 10 11 12 13
13 14 15 16 17 18 24-2 No Queens Bus Service - 3:30 Dismissal K-8 17 18 19 20
20 21 22 23 24 25 24 25 26 27
January
1
New Years Day (No Sessions)
5-6 Grade 5 Greenkill Overnight Trip
7 10 & 17 Grade 1 Siddur Presentations
18 Martin Luther King Day (No Bus Service)
14 21-31 Winter Vacation
21 February
28 15 President’s Day - No Sessions
17-18 5th Grade Western Hemis-Fair
19-20 JHS Girls Shabbaton
Sat
March
5 1 & 7 Parent-Teacher Conferences 3:45 Dismissal
12 8-9 Book Fair
19 11-12 Grade 8 Yachad Shabbaton
26 23 Ta’anit Esther (1:30 Dismissal)
24 Purim - No Sessions
April YCQ 75th Annual Dinner
3 Grade 6 Science Fair 7 PM
5 Grades 3-7 Terra Nova Achievement Test
11-14 Pesach (No Sessions)
21-1
27 28 29 30 31 May Grade 5 Transition Night 29 30 31
Grade 7 Philadelphia Trip
January 2016 24 Memorial Day (No Sessions) June 2016
Sun Mo Tue We Thu Fri Sat
Sun Mo Tue We Thu Fri 25 Grade 8 Washington Trip
Celebrate Israel Parade 1 2 3 4
1 30 Grade 6 Chagigat B’not Mitzvah 7 PM 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
3 4 5 6 7 8 Literacy/Writing Festival Grades 1 and 3 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
10 11 12 13 14 15 Sat June Literacy/Writing Festival Grades 2, 4 and 5 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
17 18 19 20 21 22 Shavuot (No Sessions) 26 27 28 29 30
24 25 26 27 28 29 1-2 Senior Awards Dinner
Grade 8 Graduation No Sessions
31 2 5 Trip Day Grades 1-6
Nursery Moving Up Ceremony
No Bus Service 6 Kindergarten Graduation
Last Day of Classes 7 Grade
9 7 Last Day of School Grade 1-6
8
16 10-13
14
23 15
16
30 16
16
16
17
The Rabbi Israel D. Rosenberg
Educational Institute
CONGREGATION ETZ CHAIM
OF KEW GARDENS HILLS
Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg, Mara D'asra
presents
shiur ha'chodesh at etz chaim
FOR WOMEN BY WOMEN
A Monthly Program of Advanced Shiurim
Shani Taragin
Lecturer in Tanach and Jewish Law at MaTan;
Ram Tanach at Midreshet Lindenbaum
From Shir HaShirim to Ruth:
Romance Revisited
NOTE: CHANGE IN USUAL DAY:
TUESDAY, April 28, 2015 7:45 PM
9 Iyar
at
Congregation Etz Chaim
147-19 73 Avenue
Kew Gardens Hills
THIS SHIUR IS BEING SPONSORED BY THE REFRESHMENTS ARE BEING
SPONSORED BY LUCY SCHMEIDLER
SURRIE BERKOWITZ IN MEMORY OF HER MOTHER, MOLLY COHEN,
IN HONOR OF HER PARENTS' BIRTHDAYS
AND FOR ALL HER FRIENDS WHO HAVE MALKA BAT AVRAHAM, A"H
BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE OVER THE YEARS Suggested Donation:
Future Program Date: Reb. Abby Lerner $4.00-shul members
May 27, 2015 $5.00-non-members
Grade 3-4 Yom HaShoah Program
Grade 5-8 Yom HaShoah Program
YCQ 74th ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP DINNER