Good Erev Shabbat to all!
We again would like to remind everyone that the 43rd Annual Dinner will, B'Ezrat Hashem, take place on Tuesday evening, June 17th at 7:00 PM in the Utopia Jewish Center, 64-41 Utopia Parkway, Fresh Meadows, NY. Mr. & Mrs. Yisrael Nisanov and Dr. & Mrs. David Wallach will be our Guests of Honor. We are also extremely proud to honor Dr. Pamela Siller as our Alumna of the Year, in recognition of her outstanding accomplishments in her field of Psychiatry. Speaking of alumni, we were happy to welcome back this week Avigdor (Matt) Saunders (class of '99) who inspired our older boys with his personal story of his path from HAWQ to being a true Ben-Torah today. Avigdor is pursuing a career in social work. This summer he will be learning at Ohr Somayach in Monsey, NY. His accomplishments are a great source of inspiration to all of us. Also, we welcome aboard another accomplished alumnus, Danny Reiss, who is heading our intensive Summer Recruitment Program focusing on Jewish children currently in Public School. This program will be launched with a special event during JEP release time on June 11th in conjunction with Rabbi Finestone and the Queens JEP.
In the beginning of this week’s Parsha, Bamidbar, we have once again the counting of the Bnai Yisrael. This counting took place on the first of Iyar during their second year in the desert. It was already the fourth time that the Bnai Yisrael were counted. The first time was when Yaakov and sons went down to Mitzrayim. The second time was when the Bnai Yisrael left Mitzrayim. The third time was after the Chait HaAigel (the sin of the Golden Calf). And now they are counted for the fourth time. Our Chazal explain that a person counts and carefully keeps track of things that are very important and valuable to him. Similarly, this frequent counting of the Jewish people is indicative of how precious each and every member of the Klal Yisrael is to Hashem. Each of us have a unique role to play, and the mission of Klal Yisrael is incomplete if even one person is missing. We know that in Beraisheit, Hashem told Avraham Avinu his descendants would numerous as the stars in sky. When one views the array of stars in the sky from a distance, they appear as mere specks of lights. However, upon closer inspection, we know from our own sun, that each star is, in reality, a powerful ball of energy that can potentially be the center of an entire solar system. So too, it would seem on the surface that each individual Jew is just a tiny, insignificant part a huge multitude, and has little impact on the total picture. However, the Torah is teaching us that every Jewish Neshama is a Olam Malay (a whole world). As the Mishnah says, "Why did Hashem create the world with only one individual? To teach us that he who saves one life, saves an entire world”. This important lesson should reinforce our efforts to reach out to every Jewish Neshama!
Shabbat Shalom!
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Friday, May 30, 2008
May 30, 2008 Newsletter
Friday, May 23, 2008
May 23, 2008 Newsletter
Good Erev Shabbat to all!
With great Hakarat HaTov to Hashem Yitbarach, the Hebrew
Academy of West Queens is pleased to announce that our 43rd Annual Dinner will, B’Ezrat Hashem, take place at Utopia Jewish Center, 64-41 Utopia Parkway, Fresh Meadows, NY on Tuesday , June 17th, at 7:00 PM. At this year’s dinner it is our privilege to have as Guests of Honor, Mr. & Mrs. Yisrael Nisanov and Dr. & Mrs. David Wallach, outstanding members of our parent body and proud parents of our ‘08 successful graduates Natanel Nisanov and Yaakov Wallach. Yaakov has been accepted to Chofetz Chaim High School in Queens and Natanel to South Shore. We are also proud to honor this year’s accomplished Alumna of the Year, Dr. Pamela Siller. Dr. Siller has a practice in Great Neck and is at North Shore LIJ and at Interborough’s Crown Heights Center in Brooklyn. We are looking forward to greeting everyone at the dinner.
Speaking of our two graduates Yaakov and Natanel, a great measure of their success is due to their participation in our High School Talmudic Preparatory Program, that is directed by our own Mashgiach Ruchani, HaRav Mordechai Hecht, Shlita. Through their participation in this amazing program Yaakov and Natanel and others are prepared to advance to fine Yeshiva High Schools. It is my Kavod to share with you a Torah thought on the Parsha from Rabbi Hecht.
This week's Parsha, Bechukosai, is generally thought of as the one with the Tochacha, the serious reprimand with the warning of severe punishment. However, the antidote appears before at the the very beginning of the Parsha. "Im B'chukosai Taylachu"- Hashem pleads,-"Please, toil in the learning of my Torah." (see Rashi, Avodah Zara 8a)
Today, at a time when Jews are concerned with the precarious situation in Eretz Yisrael, the Torah reveals to us the solution. Hashem pleads with Jews everywhere to toil in learning Torah because He wants to give us "Gishmaychem B'itam", "your rains in their time." The Toras Kohanim notes that it says, "Gishmaychem", "your rains". It will rain in Eretz Yisrael only and Eretz Yisrael will supply the entire world with sustenance. Then, "V'shavtem, L'vetach B'artzichem", and "you will live secure with peace in your land."
Shabbat Shalom!
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With great Hakarat HaTov to Hashem Yitbarach, the Hebrew
Academy of West Queens is pleased to announce that our 43rd Annual Dinner will, B’Ezrat Hashem, take place at Utopia Jewish Center, 64-41 Utopia Parkway, Fresh Meadows, NY on Tuesday , June 17th, at 7:00 PM. At this year’s dinner it is our privilege to have as Guests of Honor, Mr. & Mrs. Yisrael Nisanov and Dr. & Mrs. David Wallach, outstanding members of our parent body and proud parents of our ‘08 successful graduates Natanel Nisanov and Yaakov Wallach. Yaakov has been accepted to Chofetz Chaim High School in Queens and Natanel to South Shore. We are also proud to honor this year’s accomplished Alumna of the Year, Dr. Pamela Siller. Dr. Siller has a practice in Great Neck and is at North Shore LIJ and at Interborough’s Crown Heights Center in Brooklyn. We are looking forward to greeting everyone at the dinner.
Speaking of our two graduates Yaakov and Natanel, a great measure of their success is due to their participation in our High School Talmudic Preparatory Program, that is directed by our own Mashgiach Ruchani, HaRav Mordechai Hecht, Shlita. Through their participation in this amazing program Yaakov and Natanel and others are prepared to advance to fine Yeshiva High Schools. It is my Kavod to share with you a Torah thought on the Parsha from Rabbi Hecht.
This week's Parsha, Bechukosai, is generally thought of as the one with the Tochacha, the serious reprimand with the warning of severe punishment. However, the antidote appears before at the the very beginning of the Parsha. "Im B'chukosai Taylachu"- Hashem pleads,-"Please, toil in the learning of my Torah." (see Rashi, Avodah Zara 8a)
Today, at a time when Jews are concerned with the precarious situation in Eretz Yisrael, the Torah reveals to us the solution. Hashem pleads with Jews everywhere to toil in learning Torah because He wants to give us "Gishmaychem B'itam", "your rains in their time." The Toras Kohanim notes that it says, "Gishmaychem", "your rains". It will rain in Eretz Yisrael only and Eretz Yisrael will supply the entire world with sustenance. Then, "V'shavtem, L'vetach B'artzichem", and "you will live secure with peace in your land."
Shabbat Shalom!
Donate Now
Friday, May 16, 2008
May 16, 2008 Newsletter
Good Erev Shabbat to all!
The administration, staff, and children of the Hebrew Academy of West Queens would like to express our deepest thanks and appreciation to Mark and Flora Bienstock, as well as Lee Bienstock and Solomon Bienstock for graciously hosting last night's inspiring 5-Towns Annual Reception. We also would like to express much Hakarat HaTov to HaRav Dovid Goldwasser, Shlita, for his uplifiting Divray Chizuk and unique warmth in which he received everyone at the reception. Harav Goldwasser spoke of the importance of caring for and reaching out to every Jewish Neshama and never giving up on any Jew. He said that just as a Sefer Torah becomes Pasul and loses its status when only one letter is missing, so too the Klal Yisrael is incomplete when even one Jew is missing. He pointed out that those who support the Yeshiva and help them save a Jewish Neshama, will share in the merit for every single Mitzvah that Jew and his descendants perform forever. What tremendous reward!
In honor of Rav Goldwasser , I would like to share with you a beautiful thought I saw in one of his Sefarim. As we are in the middle of Sefaras HaOmer, the concept of V'ahavta L'Rayacha Komoacha (to love our fellow Jew as ourselves) is paramount in our minds. In this week's Parsha we have the Pasuk regarding the Shmittah : "If you will say, what will we eat in the seventh year? ....I will ordain My blessing for you." Why is Hashem's blessing dependent on the people complaining, "what will we eat?" The answer Rav Goldwasser suggests is that part of the purpose of the Shmittah year is for the wealthy people to appreciate the plight of the less fortunate. When the land lies fallow during the Shmittah and even the well-to-do have to ask the question, "what will we eat?", they can now empathize with what the poor face on a daily basis. When that level of Ahavat Yisrael is accomplished, truly feeling our fellow Jew's pain and suffering as if it is our own, then we deserve Hashem's blessing!
Shabbat Shalom!
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The administration, staff, and children of the Hebrew Academy of West Queens would like to express our deepest thanks and appreciation to Mark and Flora Bienstock, as well as Lee Bienstock and Solomon Bienstock for graciously hosting last night's inspiring 5-Towns Annual Reception. We also would like to express much Hakarat HaTov to HaRav Dovid Goldwasser, Shlita, for his uplifiting Divray Chizuk and unique warmth in which he received everyone at the reception. Harav Goldwasser spoke of the importance of caring for and reaching out to every Jewish Neshama and never giving up on any Jew. He said that just as a Sefer Torah becomes Pasul and loses its status when only one letter is missing, so too the Klal Yisrael is incomplete when even one Jew is missing. He pointed out that those who support the Yeshiva and help them save a Jewish Neshama, will share in the merit for every single Mitzvah that Jew and his descendants perform forever. What tremendous reward!
In honor of Rav Goldwasser , I would like to share with you a beautiful thought I saw in one of his Sefarim. As we are in the middle of Sefaras HaOmer, the concept of V'ahavta L'Rayacha Komoacha (to love our fellow Jew as ourselves) is paramount in our minds. In this week's Parsha we have the Pasuk regarding the Shmittah : "If you will say, what will we eat in the seventh year? ....I will ordain My blessing for you." Why is Hashem's blessing dependent on the people complaining, "what will we eat?" The answer Rav Goldwasser suggests is that part of the purpose of the Shmittah year is for the wealthy people to appreciate the plight of the less fortunate. When the land lies fallow during the Shmittah and even the well-to-do have to ask the question, "what will we eat?", they can now empathize with what the poor face on a daily basis. When that level of Ahavat Yisrael is accomplished, truly feeling our fellow Jew's pain and suffering as if it is our own, then we deserve Hashem's blessing!
Shabbat Shalom!
Donate Now
Sunday, May 11, 2008
May 9, 2008 Newsletter
Good Erev Shabbat to all!
We are very excited about the upcoming Annual Five-Town Reception for HAWQ that will take place, B'Ezrat Hashem, this coming Wednesday evening, May 14th. It will be once again graciously hosted in the home of Mark and Flora Bienstock. Our special guest speaker will the world renowned Torah personality HaRav Dovid Goldwasser. We are looking forward to greeting everyone in person!
This Shabbat, eight of our young ladies participated in a wonderful Shabbaton organized by Rabbi Avraham Hecht as part of Project Lead at Camp Romimu in Monticello, NY. We extend a heartfelt thanks to Rabbi Hecht, for included our girls in his wonderful project. There are no words to describe the impact that experiencing a true Shabbat has on these girls, for some for the first time in their lives! We also thank Rav Mordechai Hecht, Shlita, our Mashgiach Ruchani, for his hard work in recruiting the girls. Rav and Rebbitzen Hecht will grace the Shabbaton with their presence.
In this week's Parsha we have the Mitzvah of Sefirat HaOmer. One of the many lessons of Sefirat HaOmer is the value of time. As we count, we are encouraged to view each day as an opportunity for accomplishment and a precious gift from Hashem not to be wasted. As the the saying goes: A person worries about his money (Domav) and doesn't worry about his days (Yomav)- his money will not help (aino ozrim) and his days will not return (aino Chozrim) . When after 120 years we go on to the Olam HaEmet, we are dressed in a Kittel that has no pockets to symbolize that we can bring none of our material wealth with us. It has no value in the next world. On the other hand, time is the one commodity in this world that can never be regained. A moment lost is gone forever, never to be recovered again! And the Mitzvot we can accomplish with every moment is the singular possession we are able to bring with us to the next world. Rabbi Goldwasser writes in his sefer that the Chasam Sofer was asked how he achieved his greatness. His answer was, "in a minute." When questioned what he meant by his unusual response he explained that he made use of every minute, waiting for a minyan, standing on line, wating to meet someone, etc. Let's learn the lesson of Sefirat HaOmer- As we count the days, lets make each day count!
Shabbat Shalom!
Donate Now
We are very excited about the upcoming Annual Five-Town Reception for HAWQ that will take place, B'Ezrat Hashem, this coming Wednesday evening, May 14th. It will be once again graciously hosted in the home of Mark and Flora Bienstock. Our special guest speaker will the world renowned Torah personality HaRav Dovid Goldwasser. We are looking forward to greeting everyone in person!
This Shabbat, eight of our young ladies participated in a wonderful Shabbaton organized by Rabbi Avraham Hecht as part of Project Lead at Camp Romimu in Monticello, NY. We extend a heartfelt thanks to Rabbi Hecht, for included our girls in his wonderful project. There are no words to describe the impact that experiencing a true Shabbat has on these girls, for some for the first time in their lives! We also thank Rav Mordechai Hecht, Shlita, our Mashgiach Ruchani, for his hard work in recruiting the girls. Rav and Rebbitzen Hecht will grace the Shabbaton with their presence.
In this week's Parsha we have the Mitzvah of Sefirat HaOmer. One of the many lessons of Sefirat HaOmer is the value of time. As we count, we are encouraged to view each day as an opportunity for accomplishment and a precious gift from Hashem not to be wasted. As the the saying goes: A person worries about his money (Domav) and doesn't worry about his days (Yomav)- his money will not help (aino ozrim) and his days will not return (aino Chozrim) . When after 120 years we go on to the Olam HaEmet, we are dressed in a Kittel that has no pockets to symbolize that we can bring none of our material wealth with us. It has no value in the next world. On the other hand, time is the one commodity in this world that can never be regained. A moment lost is gone forever, never to be recovered again! And the Mitzvot we can accomplish with every moment is the singular possession we are able to bring with us to the next world. Rabbi Goldwasser writes in his sefer that the Chasam Sofer was asked how he achieved his greatness. His answer was, "in a minute." When questioned what he meant by his unusual response he explained that he made use of every minute, waiting for a minyan, standing on line, wating to meet someone, etc. Let's learn the lesson of Sefirat HaOmer- As we count the days, lets make each day count!
Shabbat Shalom!
Donate Now
May 2, 2008 Newsletter
Good Erev Shabbat to all!
We hope everyone had a wonderful Pesach. Baruch Hashem, we are back and ready to finish the school year with lots of learning and interesting activities. We would like to take note of some important accomplishments of our students and alumni over the Pesach break. Michael Niyazov (now learning in the Chofetz Chaim in Rochester) has made a Siyum on Gemara Megilah. Ephraim Faziyev (a HAWQ 7th grader) made a Siyum on the first Perek of Kedoshim in our Shabbat Learning Program run by our Menahel, Rabbi Alcabes. Gavriel Yadgarov (5th grader) and Shmuel Nisonov (6th grader) have completed Mishnayot Rosh Hashanah with our Hemsheich Program. May our students continue to grow and accomplish in Torah learning!
We are very excited and happy to announce that this year's Annual Five-Town Reception for HAWQ will, B'Ezrat Hashem, take place on Wednesday evening, May 14th and will once again be graciously hosted in the home of Mark and Flora Bienstock. Our special guest speaker will be the world renowned Torah personality HaRav Dovid Goldwasser. More details to come!
This week’s Parsha begins with the Mitzvah of “Kedoshim T’hiyu”, the injunction to Klal Yisrael to “Be Holy”. This is followed by the Mitzvah of revering ones parents. What is the connection? The Ohr HaChaim HaKodesh suggests that when the reverence and awe for a parent in instilled deeply within a child, it is the surest path to achieving Kedusha. He brings the famous story of Yosaif HaTzadik, who was able to overcome unbelievable temptation, because he always felt his saintly father’s presence and perceived as if his father was actually observing his every action. However, I think we need to look on the other side of the coin, not from the prospective of the child, but from the parents’ prospective. If the Torah wants us to be that lifelong “image in the window” that inspires our children to Kedusha, what an awesome responsibility, as well as incentive, is placed upon on us to live up to that role. As parents, educators, mentors, and role models, we must realize that our personal striving for Kedusha is not only for ourselves, but is also a vehicle to transmit Kedusha to our children and the future generations of Klal Yisrael!
Shabbat Shalom!
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We hope everyone had a wonderful Pesach. Baruch Hashem, we are back and ready to finish the school year with lots of learning and interesting activities. We would like to take note of some important accomplishments of our students and alumni over the Pesach break. Michael Niyazov (now learning in the Chofetz Chaim in Rochester) has made a Siyum on Gemara Megilah. Ephraim Faziyev (a HAWQ 7th grader) made a Siyum on the first Perek of Kedoshim in our Shabbat Learning Program run by our Menahel, Rabbi Alcabes. Gavriel Yadgarov (5th grader) and Shmuel Nisonov (6th grader) have completed Mishnayot Rosh Hashanah with our Hemsheich Program. May our students continue to grow and accomplish in Torah learning!
We are very excited and happy to announce that this year's Annual Five-Town Reception for HAWQ will, B'Ezrat Hashem, take place on Wednesday evening, May 14th and will once again be graciously hosted in the home of Mark and Flora Bienstock. Our special guest speaker will be the world renowned Torah personality HaRav Dovid Goldwasser. More details to come!
This week’s Parsha begins with the Mitzvah of “Kedoshim T’hiyu”, the injunction to Klal Yisrael to “Be Holy”. This is followed by the Mitzvah of revering ones parents. What is the connection? The Ohr HaChaim HaKodesh suggests that when the reverence and awe for a parent in instilled deeply within a child, it is the surest path to achieving Kedusha. He brings the famous story of Yosaif HaTzadik, who was able to overcome unbelievable temptation, because he always felt his saintly father’s presence and perceived as if his father was actually observing his every action. However, I think we need to look on the other side of the coin, not from the prospective of the child, but from the parents’ prospective. If the Torah wants us to be that lifelong “image in the window” that inspires our children to Kedusha, what an awesome responsibility, as well as incentive, is placed upon on us to live up to that role. As parents, educators, mentors, and role models, we must realize that our personal striving for Kedusha is not only for ourselves, but is also a vehicle to transmit Kedusha to our children and the future generations of Klal Yisrael!
Shabbat Shalom!
Donate Now
April 18, 2008 Newsletter
Good Erev Shabbat to all!
The HAWQ family would like to take this opportunity to wish all you and your families a Chag Kosher V’Samayach and a meaningful and enjoyable Yom Tov. As we prepare to once again sit down together for our Sedarim, we are reminded of the something our esteemed Dean Emeritus, Rabbi Moshe Stahler, Shlita, has stated so often. He would note that we all read in Hagadah of four types of children to whom we are obligated reach out. Why, he asks, do we make Yeshivas only for the Chacham, the wise son? Rabbi Stahler, in his many decades at the helm, strived to create a Yeshiva to meet the needs of all Jewish children, regardless of background or other limitations. We have been Zocheh to continue this very special and important work. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts on behalf of all the children for your help and support that makes our Yeshiva possible.
Have a great Yom Tov!
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Kosher V'Samayach!
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The HAWQ family would like to take this opportunity to wish all you and your families a Chag Kosher V’Samayach and a meaningful and enjoyable Yom Tov. As we prepare to once again sit down together for our Sedarim, we are reminded of the something our esteemed Dean Emeritus, Rabbi Moshe Stahler, Shlita, has stated so often. He would note that we all read in Hagadah of four types of children to whom we are obligated reach out. Why, he asks, do we make Yeshivas only for the Chacham, the wise son? Rabbi Stahler, in his many decades at the helm, strived to create a Yeshiva to meet the needs of all Jewish children, regardless of background or other limitations. We have been Zocheh to continue this very special and important work. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts on behalf of all the children for your help and support that makes our Yeshiva possible.
Have a great Yom Tov!
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Kosher V'Samayach!
Donate Now
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