YCQ Sefer Torah Dedication October 17

Kindergarten Open November 4

Adeena Paknoush was known at the Yeshiva of Central Queens (YCQ) as a good student who had a kind and joyful disposition. She exemplified what it meant to be a bas Torah and y’ras shamayim. Even during her illness, which tragically took her from us at the young age of 16, Adeena personified grace and emunah in Hashem.

On Wednesday, October 17, there will be a school-wide celebration at YCQ to mark the dedication of a new Sefer Torah in Adeena’s memory. The YCQ Sefer Torah Campaign, which is the result of a partnership between the YCQ community and the Paknoush family, includes several educational and communal events.

The culmination of the YCQ Sefer Torah Campaign comes just several weeks before the school’s upcoming Open House, which will take place on Sunday, November 4, beginning at 10:00 a.m. YCQ is located at 147-37 70^th Road in Kew Gardens Hills.

“Writing a sefer Torah in honor of Adeena is a fitting tribute to who she was as a person and how she lived her life,” said Rabbi Mark Landsman, the principal of YCQ. “Adeena’s positive outlook and pleasant nature motivated others to become better people and better Jews. It is our hope that this new sefer Torah, which will be used regularly by our students, will inspire them to continue improving their own
lives.”

In addition to the actual hachnasas sefer Torah, YCQ’s first Sunday morning learning event of the 2018 school year, which will take place on Sunday, October 14, will feature a special shiur by Rabbi Shay Schachter entitled “The 613^th Mitzvah,” which discusses the mitzvah of writing a sefer Torah. The program, which will begin with Shacharis at 9:00 a.m., to be followed by breakfast and the shiur, is open to the entire community.

On Tuesday, October 16, every YCQ student will have the unique opportunity to assist in writing a letter in the new sefer Torah and learn about the relevant halachos from Rabbi Heshy Pincus, the sofer who coordinated the writing of the sefer.

Those interested in participating in this important mitzvah can learn about dedication opportunities by visiting www.adeenaemunah.com.

“The opportunity for each YCQ student to partake in the dedication of a new sefer Torah in a meaningful and substantive manner truly epitomizes the educational and religious foundation and experiential learning that we are proud to be able to provide our students,” said Rabbi
Landsman.

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The full range of YCQ’s quality limudei kodesh and general studies programs will be on display during the Sunday, November 4, Kindergarten Open House, which is for both parents and children.

The Open House will feature guided tours of the Yeshiva and a stimulating first-grade lesson for parents, which will include a session on YCQ’s creative Hebrew immersion program. While parents are occupied with the programming relating to the adults, children will enjoy interactive lessons with YCQ’s Kindergarten staff.

YCQ features smart-board technology in every classroom, a state-of-the-art science lab, two fully-equipped computer labs, and separate classes for boys and girls beginning in fourth grade. The school also offers numerous after-school programs and clubs, including mishmar, chess, band instruction, drama, and dance. Moreover, YCQ runs an extensive sports program, including a boys’ junior varsity basketball team, a varsity boys’ basketball team, a girls’ basketball team, and a hockey team.

Free transportation to YCQ is available from Queens, the Five Towns, West Hempstead, and Great Neck.

For more information about YCQ and the November 4 Open House, call 718-793-8500 (ext. 313), or visit www.ycqweb.com.

 By N. Aaron Troodler