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Grade 7 students and their families had a memorable evening on Monday, November 6, at the annual Bar Mitzvah Workshop. Leading up to bar mitzvah season, students gather to learn more about what it means to become a bar mitzvah and how to appropriately celebrate the occasion for themselves and with their friends.

The excitement was palpable in the vibrant Early Childhood program at YSZ as the little learners explored the letter “hei.” The enthusiastic, hands-on learning atmosphere was taken to new heights as the classes welcomed a special visitor: a Hatzalah truck!

Last week, the HALB PTA organized an incredible challah bake for Israel. Morah Zukierman started the night off explaining the power of baking challah together especially during these times. Hundreds of students, teachers, and mothers said T’hilim and sang Acheinu before making their individual dough. Then, while waiting for the dough to rise, everyone came together for a beautiful kumsitz led by Gary Wallin. It was an incredibly moving and powerful night.

One of the newest student-centered initiatives at Central is also a means by which to honor the memory of an incredible YUHSG alumna. This month, Central is officially launching the Adira Rose Koffsky a”h Humanities Scholars Program, an exciting new immersive experience that will support and nurture Central upperclassmen who demonstrate talents in literature, creative arts, and the performing arts.

Rav Hershel Schachter shlita issued a p’sak declaring Monday, November 13, the 29^th of Cheshvan, to be observed as a Yom Kippur Katan – a fast day to increase our t’filos during this difficult time. All talmidim who were able, were asked to declare in Minchah on Sunday that they were taking this taanis upon themselves, as is customary. For talmidim for whom this was too much, many opted to fast until chatzos.