On Tuesday evening, June 17, the Yeshiva of Central Queens hosted its annual commencement for the Class of 2025 at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center. This year’s commencement took place under the backdrop of the matzav in Eretz Yisrael, and the different presentations throughout the night made it clear that our brothers and sisters are always on our minds, in our hearts, and in our tefilot.
One hundred four students, dressed in caps and gowns, kicked off the evening with a procession down the aisles, as proud family members looked on. Rabbi Ophie Nat led the packed auditorium in renditions of the Star-Spangled Banner, HaTikvah, and Acheinu, with musical accompaniment by Morah Tali Brody.
Over the course of the evening, Principal Rabbi Mark Landsman and Mrs. Melissa Cohen, Associate Principal of General Studies K-8, addressed the graduates. They offered words of Torah, encouragement, and praise for the students as they take their next steps.
The student awardees each took on meaningful roles as well. Aiden Aminov and Sophie Sisser, the two Salutatorians, recited the Tefilah L’Shlom HaMedinah and the Mi Shebeirach for the IDF. Leora Traeger and Eitan Berkowitz, Valedictorians, delivered powerful speeches reflecting on their school experience and the path ahead. Ilana Ismailov, recipient of the Keter Shem Tov award, led a Tefilah for the Hostages, and Yosef Chaim Yakobov, also a Keter Shem Tov honoree, recited Tehillim.
Mrs. Esther Lowinger, Junior High School (JHS) General Studies Assistant Principal, recognized the students who achieved High Honors, and JHS Principal Rabbi Stephen Knapp introduced the respective performances by the boys and girls. This year’s student presentation was titled “Yerushalayim, Oro shel Olam” – “Jerusalem, Light of the World” – and took the audience on a journey through time from Creation until today, exploring the centrality of the city and Eretz Yisrael.
Led by Morah Mashie Kapelowitz, Director of K-8 Judaic Studies, the talmidot told of the significance of the city in the past, present, and future, with meaningful songs sung by the talmidim interspersed throughout. To conclude, the lights went out and black lights turned on; girls wore white lights and signed “Oseh Shalom”, a message of hope for peace in the future.
Diplomas were then awarded. To conclude the spectacular evening, the crowd watched a heartwarming video montage created by Mrs. Jen Jaffe. Fond memories from over the many years at YCQ were displayed as the students looked on, recalling the shared moments they experienced together.
A collation back at YCQ concluded the memorable night. Graduation served as an exclamation point to a wonderful year and a celebration of the amazing talmidim and talmidot of the Yeshiva of Central Queens.
Mazal Tov!
YCQ Class Of 2025 Commencement
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