Jam Packed Chanukah at YCQ

Friday December 23rd 2022

Chanukah Celebrations at YCQ were jam-packed. Or should we say jelly-filled! Monday kicked off with beautiful renditions of Hallel heard throughout the classrooms and in the shul. Throughout the morning, Grades 3-8 each had the opportunity to experience a Silent DJ. Students were given headphones controlled by DJ Eli Arshadnia and danced along and celebrated the miracles of Chanukah, without any music blasting over the speakers. Students enjoyed witnessing the funny sight of dancing “silently” while showing off their Chanukah moves.

Meanwhile, students in Grades 1 and 2 had the chance to decorate donuts in the lunchroom. Students were given donuts and lots of different options to top their donut with, or even dip it in chocolate. Creativity was in the air as students made all sorts of delicious and unique combinations and gave their sufganiyot quite a makeover.

The celebration train was full steam ahead on Tuesday. After davening, JHS students began their mornings with parties with their Rebbeim and Morot, while Grades 1-5 witnessed a spectacular magic show from Magic Mehl. Students (and faculty) were wowed by his impressive tricks. Although they were disappointed when he was unable to make their homework disappear for the rest of the year, students were nevertheless amazed by his magic repertoire.

That afternoon, Grade 1 decorated beautiful Chanukah themed mugs in their classrooms, while Grades 2-5 ate some menorahs. You read that right, students created edible Menorahs!

The activities did not slow down on Wednesday. Grades 1-5 were amazed at the skills of Juggler Keith Leaf who put on quite a performance in the gym. Students from Grades 3-5 then had their turn at donut decorating in the afternoon.

Back in the Junior High, boys and girls each competed in their respective fierce (and friendly) Dreidel competitions with exciting prizes. We are a little suspicious that Director of JHS Student Activities, Jacob Grossman, “coincidently” decided to make ‘Gimmel’ the winning letter though.

JHS students later stared in awe as a truck filled with TVs, video game consoles, and comfy seating suddenly appeared in the YCQ yard. Students piled in as they got to choose from a staggering amount of titles.

The YCQ faculty was treated to their own party on Wednesday afternoon. They enjoyed a dairy buffet from Bravo Pizza, dessert from Queens Pita, and a mocktail station with two mixologists. Travel toiletry bags with the YCQ logo were also distributed as gifts.

A tremendous amount of hakarot hatov and thanks to Mrs. Shirly Pourad-Kaikov, Mr. Jacob Grossman, and everyone else who made this Chanukah so special!

The fun continued throughout the rest of the week, but looks like we’re out of room here. Stay tuned for next week’s edition for the rest of the highlights of Chanukah at YCQ!