News From The Hills

By  Chanita Teitz

Akiva and I were taking our usual Shabbos afternoon walk and he commented, “Two weeks ago, we were walking in Yerushalayim and this week we’re here.”

“Yes,” I answered, “and Kew Gardens Hills is also nice.”

As we walk, we see many friends and neighbors, and everyone is friendly and says “Good Shabbos.” There is very little traffic on Main Street and all the stores are closed. There are shuls on almost every corner; Kew Gardens Hills continues to be a strong neighborhood. We both thought for a moment and then, almost in unison, said, “but the kedushah is missing.” In Israel, there is a palpable feeling of being connected to something that is unexplainable, and we feel that it is missing anywhere else.

It’s only been two weeks since we returned, but we have slowly gotten back to routine. Our routine was broken this morning when we heard that our niece in Israel had passed away. She was in the hospital since before we arrived for Rosh Hashanah and we went to the hospital several times to try to give whatever chizuk we could. All I can think of as I write this is that tonight is the yahrzeit of Rochel Imeinu, the quintessential Jewish mother, thinking of and crying for her children. Mama Rochel, we cry to you in grief and we hope to sing with you in joy. Just knowing that you are watching over us gives us the greatest chizuk. Please watch over all the Jewish children who are missing their mother tonight.

School News And Events

Upcoming Open Houses:

Yeshiva Toras Moshe–Sunday, November 5, 10:00—-11:30 a.m.

Yeshiva Har Torah–Monday, November 6, 7:15 p.m.

Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim–Sunday, November 12, 2:15 p.m.

Bnos Malka Academy–Sunday, November 12, 10:30 a.m.—12:00 p.m.

Yeshiva of Central Queens–Kindergarten open house for parents and children, Sunday, November 12, 10:00—11:30 a.m.

BYQ Science Connections from Lab to Shabbos. As an extension of a unit on fungi, the Bais Yaakov of Queens fifth-grade science class conducted an exciting experiment in the science lab. Using the scientific method, the girls formed hypotheses about whether yeast would bubble when combined with sugar or with salt. Partners were given two bowls of warm water with yeast into which they added sugar or salt. After a few minutes of observation, the girls noticed that one bowl began to bubble, while the other bowl did not. The girls discussed how the findings compared to their hypotheses, and several girls expressed their surprise at the results. At the end of the lesson, the class analyzed the data and drew conclusions about why the experiment turned out the way it did. Some students shared plans to try the experiment again at home, perhaps with different variables. Now the girls have something scientific to think about and share while they eat their challah on Shabbos!

Chesed Day Program at YCQ. By Esti Goldberg and Hadassah Jaffe, Grade 6. On Wednesday, October 25, the Yeshiva of Central Queens junior high school began its chesed program. Several of the classes visited local nursing homes, one class of seventh-grade girls helped prepare at the Masbia soup kitchen in Forest Hills, and another helped label clothing at Bobbie’s Place, a children’s store in Brooklyn where all of the brand-new merchandise is free to families in need. The eighth-grade boys spent the morning with students from HASC, and back at YCQ the seventh-grade boys hosted students from Ohel Bais Ezra.

When the sixth-grade girls arrived at the Cliffside Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, they were greeted by many residents. They played a game together where they had to find someone who matched a specific topic. There was a woman who asked the questions, allowing the students to get to know her. One of the men had over 20 nieces and nephews that he was so proud of, and, most exciting, the girls and their teachers got to celebrate and sing to a woman celebrating her 101st birthday. There was also a man who loved to perform for people. Even though almost all of the people were in wheelchairs, they were happy and there was a feeling of real calm when you walk into the nursing home. One very special man loves to dance. When the music was on, he did not let being in a wheelchair or only being able to use one leg stop him from doing what he loves. This was a real inspiration to the girls.

It is so nice that the junior-high students at YCQ have this chance to do such a special mitzvah and help others feel good.

YCQ Eighth Grade Visits Ellis Island and the 9/11 Memorial. By Tamar Lazarus. On October 24 and 25, the eighth-graders at YCQ took the ferry to Ellis Island for their annual visit. While there, they explored the Immigration Museum and learned about how their ancestors came through Ellis Island when they arrived in America. The students had a chance to research their ancestors’ history. The experience solidified what they are learning in social studies, giving a real hands-on experience of the struggles the immigrants went through to survive and begin a new life here in America.

Afterwards, they headed to the September 11 Memorial and Museum and the Freedom Pools. They learned about the horrible things that happened on that tragic day in history. Being there helped the students understand the loss of so many innocent victims at the hands of terrorists. This exposure was important since none of the students were born when this tragedy hit America.

Rabbi Eytan Feiner Addresses Shevach Students on their Chesed Breakout. Chesed is an invaluable aspect of life at Shevach High School. The students are inculcated with an appreciation of this important middah, and the Queens community gains tremendously from it. This year, the theme of their popular chesed program is “The Cycle of Chesed.” As Chesed heads Tali Feldstein, Sari Max, Perel Schwartz, and Chani Weinberg explained, this is because just as the word the Torah uses for giving to others, “venasnu,” is a palindrome, every act of chesed that one does ultimately comes back to benefit the doer. The phrase “chesed ye’sovevenu” was also incorporated into their theme, indicating that one should constantly be surrounded by chesed.

The Chesed heads, under the guidance of Assistant Principal Rebbetzin Chani Grunblatt, worked very hard to bring these concepts to life. On Thursday, October 19, each of the walls in Shevach’s MPR was beautifully decorated, bringing out a different aspect of their chesed “recycling” theme. One wall had a mural of a forest scene with the headline “Helping Make the World a Better Place.” Another wall was covered in newspapers and titled “ReNEWS Your Helping Hand.” A third wall had hundreds of mini recycling cans, each with a Shevach student’s name and a designated perek of Tehillim for her to say every day as a chesed for the cholim in our community. This wall had on it the phrase “Yes, you can!”

The program began with the Shevach student body being regaled with a riveting address delivered by Rabbi Eytan Feiner, rav of the White Shul in Far Rockaway. He spoke of the importance of chesed and the power of chesed in our lives.

Rabbi Feiner inspired the girls with stories and divrei Chazal, all to emphasize that chesed is a defining feature of a frum Jew. Avraham Avinu was the pillar of chesed. It was his life, his world. Our responsibility is to learn from his example and from the example of Pinchas in the Torah, who acted solely for the benefit of others. We, too, should strive to reach out beyond our personal needs, and by enhancing the lives of others, our lives will truly be enhanced.

Rabbi Feiner imparted that the simplest form of chesed is tzedakah, giving money to people in need. But tzedakah has its limitations. It is chiefly money, mainly for poor people, and for the living. Gemilus chesed, on the other hand, goes far beyond that. It is not only money. It is for anyone, no matter his financial station, and it is both for the living and the non-living. An example of that would be work that one does for the chevrah kadisha, assisting in the burial preparation of a deceased person. This perspective helped portray chesed as the highest level of caring for others.

The event culminated with a humorous video the Shevach Chesed heads produced themselves, portraying the true story of a girl who was redt her bashert as a result of her doing chesed. In addition, every girl received a phone wallet imprinted with the chesed theme as a reminder to always do chesed. The Chesed heads then performed an original chesed song which helped generate a positive energy in the room for the program, inspiring all present to do chesed for others.

To quote the Shevach administration: “That is one of the main goals of Shevach High School–to create young ladies who work on their self-growth, but at the same time reach beyond their comfort zone to address the needs of others.” Rabbi Feiner and the chesed heads gave meaning to that goal, and now the students are ready to run with it. The students will choose what area of chesed they would like to commit to, and do that chesed every week for the entire year. Shevach girls have frequently relayed how chesed becomes a part of their lives forever, even when they leave the confines of Shevach High School.

Upcoming Events

Reb. Shani Taragin: “Akeidat Sarah: Sarah’s Sacrifice.” Rabbi Israel D. Rosenberg Educational Institute of Congregation Etz Chaim presents shiur ha’chodesh for women by women, Wednesday, November 8, 8:00 p.m. at Congregation Etz Chaim 147-19 73rd Avenue, Kew Gardens Hills. Suggested donation: members, $4; nonmembers, $5. For further information, contact Hadassah Waxman at hwaxman@earthlink.net or 718-261-0766.

Rabbi Steven Weil: Scholar-in-Residence at YIKGH. The Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills and the Department of Synagogue and Community Services of the Orthodox Union is pleased to plan this special event on Shabbos Parashat Chayei Sarah, Friday, November 10—11. Rabbi Steven Weil will speak at the Friday-night oneg at 7:30 p.m. on “The 50th Anniversary of the Event That Changed Jewish Destiny: An Analysis of the Six Day War.” Shabbos day, Rabbi Weil will deliver the sermon in the Main Shul. His topic is “The Charles Bridge over the Vltava River: An Analysis of the Kedushah.”

Rabbi Steven Weil will also speak at seudah shelishis on Shabbos afternoon following Minchah at 4:05 p.m. on the topic: “A Historical Blueprint: Analysis and Application of the Ramban’s Approach to Sefer Bereishis.”

Rabbi Steven Weil is currently the senior managing director of the Orthodox Union. Rabbi Weil attended Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh and Yeshiva University, concurrently completing his ordination at the Rabbeinu Yitzchak Elchanan Theological Seminary and a master’s degree in business administration from NYU’s Stern School of Business. Davening in the main shul begins at 9:00 a.m. This scholar-in-residence Shabbos is sponsored by Larry and Rivka Sheldon in memory of their parents, Irwin and Ruth Sheldon and Leon and Shirley Blatt, a’h. All members of the community are invited to participate.

Erna Lindenfeld Hachnosas Kallah Fund of Queens Annual Tea. November 14 at the Electchester Electrical Building, Parsons Blvd. and Jewel Avenue, at 7:30 p.m. This year’s tea is dedicated in memory of Rebbetzin Ruth Schonfeld, who spearheaded the founding of the Erna Lindenfeld Hachnosas Kallah Fund. This year’s musical performance is “The Classiest Affair in Town” by Zisi Naimark. As always, this year’s event will be well-attended, inspiring, fun, humorous, and delicious.

Bnos Malka Cooking Series with Claire’s Kosher Kitchen. For the third consecutive year. 10 sessions for $200; 2½ hours each. Hands-on classes, covering a wide range of techniques. Classes start November 19 and are held Sunday mornings 9:30 a.m.—12:00 p.m. at Bnos Malka Academy 71-02 113th Street, Forest Hills.

Shabbos Hatzolah. November 25. All shuls and members of the community are asked to participate and donate.

KGH Jewish Library. Hours for November: Sundays, 11:30 a.m.—1:00 p.m. and Tuesdays, 6:00—7:30 p.m. Contact kghjewishlibrary@gmail.com or 917-497-7584. Located at 71-14 136 Street.

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.