Schools

(Courtesy of NEJA) This past summer, the New England Jewish Academy (NEJA) – a newly merged Orthodox Nursery-12^th grade school serving the Greater Hartford, New Haven and Springfield region – launched a transformational initiative reducing tuition by up to $10,000 per student. Thanks to the extraordinary vision and generosity of local philanthropists and community leaders Ann and Jeremy Pava, NEJA announced the new plan in an effort to remove cost as a barrier for families wanting to send their children to a Jewish day school.

On Monday, September 23 and 25, Yeshiva of Central Queens (YCQ) grade eight students visited Ellis Island and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. After taking a ferry from Battery Park to Ellis Island, students learned how the immigrants entered America, gaining and understanding of their hardships, and how they coped with the difficult journey and settling in America. When asked what she got out of the trip, Talia Cohen said, “It was an amazing experience because Ellis Island was where people immigrated many years ago. While I was there, I felt like I was in their shoes.”

This past Shabbos, Ezra Academy launched its newest community engagement program. Multiple times throughout the year, Ezra will be sending Rabbi Elie Geller to several Queens communities as scholar in residence. Rabbi Geller has been a rabbi in the school for more than ten years.

Each grade of the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls had the opportunity on Wednesday, September 18, to partake in acts of chesed and community before the Yamim Nora’im.

On Wednesday evening, September 18, the student body of Shevach High School launched a Technology Awareness Initiative, spearheaded by its principal, Rebbetzin Rochelle Hirtz. After the school day was over, the girls were transported to the Young Israel of Hillcrest, where they were treated to a catered dinner. Following the meal, Rebbetzin Hirtz introduced the program with a d’var Torah from the Chovas HaTalmidim by the Piacezna Rav. The Rav likened the process of chinuch to an unripe fruit, as when one takes a bite out of the fruit and the taste is not sweet and not fully developed. One’s natural response to that bite is; “This is what I worked so hard for?” To which the Piacezna Rav explains that the planting process requires a lot of patience. In a similar fashion, Rebbetzin Hirtz said, “This evening, we are planting the seeds – the beginning of a process. We must be patient and not become disheartened. When we carry it through, the result will be a beautiful fruit, both inside and out. Technology awareness is a process, and when we implement certain changes, we will produce stronger, healthier relationships, which will be beneficial to our growth.”

The 7^th grade girls had an incredible time at their “sweet” meet-and-greet on Monday, September 9 (9/9/19). The ice cream sundae bar was especially fun and yummy. After the food, the 7^th grade girls were randomly put into groups and then the real activities began. Human bingo was a hit, where each girl had to find someone “allergic to apples” or “birthday on a holiday” or something similar. This gave the girls an opportunity to talk to each other and find out new information.