A Complete Campus to Serve Our CommunityPhase 1 of the historic expansion currently underway at Torah Academy for Girls (TAG) is nearing completion, and with it comes twenty-seven new classrooms to serve the burgeoning student body whose needs have necessitated the construction. An attractive new, spacious, high-ceiling gymnasium is already being used, and an outdoor swimming pool and lower play deck are undergoing the finishing touches to make TAG’s swim area ready for the upcoming camp season. TAG’s new look has been developed to create a complete learning and recreational environ-ment, to serve its students and their families.

The most startling surprise for visitors happens upon entering the front hallway, which is being totally revamped. The cor-ridor is being widened by fifty percent to accommodate the greatly expanded school population. Alumni, especially those alumni who are now parents in the school, are commenting that this is not the TAG they have known throughout the years.

A new lobby, administrative offices, and an upper play deck are also under construction, and the current auditorium will be redeco-rated to create a beautiful simcha room. The expansion includes as well vastly increased space for resource room instruction for selected students. The second floor audito-

rium has been totally redone. The building designs have been developed so that existing classroom facilities will merge with the new wings to look like one large building. Corri-dors have been painted and tiled so that each floor has a uniform appearance. The con-struction comes years after using trailers for classrooms when necessary, and over utilizing one multi-purpose room on the first floor.

Phase 2, which will begin next year, will pro-vide ten additional classrooms. The original building was built to accom-modate three classes in every grade; the new, abundant classrooms have been added to accommodate six classes per grade level. The growth of TAG has also prompted new addi-tions to the staff, which includes increased guidance staff in both the pre-school and elementary divisions; support staff for the principals; and the promotion of Mrs. Barbara Cinnamon, a long-time teacher in TAG’s high school division, to Assistant Principal.

The entirety of the project is both exhilarating and formidable. Rabbi Meyer Weitman, dean of TAG, explains, “While it’s becoming more difficult to meet our financial obliga-tions for construction, as we proceed, we are extremely confident that our parents, grand-parents, and friends will recognize the neces-sity of the project, and will continue to come forward in support of the building campaign.”

For dedication opportunities please call Rabbi Baruch Lovett at extension 212.

Elementary School 444 Beach 6th Street Far Rockaway, NY, 11691

Phone 718.471.8444 Fax 718.868.4612

High School 636 Lanett Avenue Far Rockaway, NY, 11691

Phone 718.327.2300 Fax 718.327.2315

dean Rabbi Meyer Weitman

executive director Dr. Shmuel Reisbaum

director of development Rabbi Baruch Lovett

principal, high school Mrs. Aleeza Berkowitz, Limudei Kodesh Mrs. Miriam Tropper, Assistant Principal Mrs. Barbara Cinamon, General Studies

principal, elementary school Mrs. Sara Drillman, Limudei Kodesh Mrs. Menucha Levin, Limudei Kodesh Mrs. Temima Feldman, General Studies Mrs. Cecile Wieder, Junior High

director, early childhood Mrs. Miriam Tikotzky

newsletter editor Mrs. Liba Lieberman

layout editor Mrs. Shaindel Plumer

T A G n e w s l e t t e r summer 2012

2

A Message From Rabbi Meyer Weitman

Boruch Hashem, as we conclude another very successful school year, I would like to reflect upon the accomplishments of our past and our goals for the future. With regards to the physical aspect, we have, Boruch Hashem, completed 27 new beautiful classrooms, as well as a magnificent gym, and a new play deck and outdoor pool. This expansion will allow us to accept six classes per grade level. We have always prided ourselves on maintaining reasonably small classes with a higher teacher to student ratio. We are already at the maximum number of students in our younger grades with the six classes. We have also hired new social workers, both in pre-school and elementary school, as well as additional support staff for the principals in the various divisions. Together with our resource room, headed by Dr. Devorah Zelasko and her team of experts, these new additions will go a long way in helping TAG make certain that “no child is left behind”.

At this time, on behalf of the 1500 young ladies who are benefitting from the stellar chinuch of TAG, I would like to express our deepest apprecia-tion to all those who have made this expansion possible. We are certainly indebted to our building chairmen, Moshe Feuer, Evan Genack, Ben Lowinger and Aroni Parnes. Thanks as well to our Executive Director, Dr. Shmuel Reisbaum, for all his technical expertise and our Director of Develop-ment, Rabbi Baruch Lovett, for his tireless efforts to ensure the financial stability of this project. Our deepest appreciation to the many support-ers who have stood behind us, as we somehow managed to work our way until this point. We look forward to the future as we prepare to embark on the next phase of our expansion which will involve erecting an additional ten classrooms in order to fully accom-modate six classes on every grade level. While the task is indeed daunting, I am fully confident, that with the help of Hashem, our friends and our parent body will realize the absolute necessity for this project and will continue to provide support and encouragement.

However, I am well aware that our beautiful building only portrays the outer beauty of our school. It’s inner beauty is reflected by our talmidos through the efforts of an entire dedi-cated faculty who provide not only the educational tools for our students, but who show care and concern and make each one of our girls shine. If it takes an entire village to raise a child, it cer-tainly takes an entire team of auxiliary

staff, secretaries and administrative staff, and I am most grateful and aware of the bracha that TAG enjoys with our entire outstanding staff. Our exemplary dedicated Principals, are the true build-ers of our school.

My deepest gratitude goes to Mrs. Miriam Tikotzky, Director of the Ganger Family Early Childhood Cen-ter, Mrs. Sara Drillman, our Limudei Kodesh Principal, Mrs. Menucha Levin, Assistant Principal, Limudei Kodesh, Mrs. Sarah Goldstein, General Studies Principal, Mrs. Cecile Wieder, General Studies, Principal,Junior High School division, Mrs. Aleeza Berkow-itz, Principal, Limudei Kodesh, High School division, Mrs. Miriam Tropper, Assistant Principal, Limudei Kodesh, High School division, Rabbi Michoel Shepard, General Studies Principal, High School Division, and Mrs. Barbara Cinamon, Assistant Principal, General Studies, High School Division. At this time, I would like to wish Mrs. Sarah Goldstein mazel and bracha upon her relocation to California. With her 24 years of outstanding service, she has indeed left a rich legacy in TAG. By the same token, we warmly welcome Mrs. Temima Feldman and wish her much hatzlacha in her new position at TAG.

While TAG looks proudly at our many accomplishments, we look forward to not only expanding our physical plant, but to expanding our legacy of properly educating the future imahos of Klal Yisroel.

Best wishes for a happy, healthy and restful summer.

3

EnrollmentThe overwhelmingly popular choice of settling in the Far Rockaway and Five Towns communities among many young couples is greatly due to the wonderful opportunities for chinuch in this community. As Rabbi Weitman explains, “We are the victims of our own success!”

Enrollment has swelled, reinforcing the desperate need for the building expansion currently underway. TAG is at capacity in almost all grade levels. The upper divisions have four classes currently per grade, and next year’s fifth and sixth grades will be comprised of five parallel classes. Almost all of the lower grade levels will have six parallel classes next year. The doors of TAG will

open in September of 2012 to a student body reaching close to 1,530 students; a total student population increase of approximately one hundred students from the current academic year. Calls are received daily from parents desiring to transfer their children, but TAG is very limited with their acceptances, due to the current severe space constraints.

“The fact that the greatest growth is in the lower grades division is an extremely positive development,” Rabbi Weitman notes. “The numbers reflect a healthy outlook for the school’s future.”

TAG’s building campaign is the response to parents’ requests for their children to be accepted into TAG

when the school building had literally run out of room. The severity of the need was the basis for TAG’s initiat-ing its historic expansion, which is now completing its first phase.

Originally, TAG planned never to go beyond four classes per grade level. Community need, coupled with a deep sense of responsibility on TAG’s part to fill that need, coerced TAG’s administration to proceed. TAG’s enrollment speaks for itself—the future of the school is already unfolding, as new generations of Bnos Yisroel fill each new classroom to capacity, eager to receive the kind of Torah true education on which TAG was founded almost fifty years ago.

Directory of

administrationWomen’s League Presidium

Gitty Friedman

Chayala Gorlin

Leah Mond

Naomi Neuman

honorary presidents Louis E. Newman ע”ה Marvin Eichen ע”ה Yisroel Bloom ע”ה

honorary chairmen Rabbi Amos Bunim ע”ה Dov Wolowitz Yaakov Goldfeder

president Dr. Moshe Katz

chairman, Dr. Boruch Adler board of trustees

chairman of the board Moishe Mishkowitz

vice-chairman Mark Bodner of the board

vice presidents Ira Feigenbaum ע”ה Jacob Salamon Mordy Sohn

treasurer Martin Klein

4

A Heartzige Welcome to

Mrs. Temima

Feldman

TAG welcomes Mrs. Temima Feldman as the new General Studies Principal of the Elementary Division for the school year beginning September 2012. With over twenty years of combined teaching and administrative positions, Mrs. Feldman brings enor-mous skills and expertise to her new position. She holds a Masters Degree in Educa-tional Leadership, and was previously the Junior High School Principal at Ateres Bais Yaakov in Monsey and a teacher and curriculum advisor at Yeshiva of Spring Valley.

Mrs. Feldman is excited to bring the fruits of her rich and varied career to TAG. “I have worked at Torah Day School of Atlanta, the Epstein Hebrew Academy in St. Louis, Evilina de’Rothchild in Yerusha-layim, and have run adult and family education programs in Columbus, Ohio, and Miami, Florida,” she points out with enthusiasm. “All of these positions have given me the opportunity to see many dif-ferent models of education and different types of children and learning styles.”

Although a Brooklyn native, Mrs. Feld-man’s exposure to different cities has given her unique experiences to interact with all types of schools and communities. Each city offered something special that she explains she has “packed” with her. Her strong

background in Differentiated Instruction and role as a lecturer on differentiation in the classroom for all students, regardless of ability or level, has singled her out as a popular child advocate for all students.

“I strongly believe,” she notes, “that every child has the potential to learn and grow, although not all in the same way and at the same time. Each child has a unique make-up, and must be viewed as a tzelem Elokim.”

TAG is thrilled to welcome Mrs. Feld-man and her family to the neighborhood, and is honored to have such an educa-tor with heart and vision join its admin-istration. We look forward to a seam-less transition, to continue providing quality education to TAG’s elementary school students.

A Fond Farewell to

Mrs. Sarah Goldstein

General Studies Principal, T A G Elementary Division

After twenty-four years of devoted service to TAG as General Studies Prin-cipal of the Elementary Division, Mrs. Sarah Goldstein is passing the torch to Mrs. Temima Feldman. Mrs. Gold-stein’s service to the school originally encompassed being General Studies Principal for the pre-school through twelfth grade. Since those earlier years, divisions were established to accom-modate the growing student body; Mrs. Goldstein will be leaving as the principal of grades one through five.

The guardian of so many students throughout her long and beloved years at TAG, Mrs. Goldstein has been known as a deeply compassionate educator who —plainly and simply—loves the children. Students turned to her because they were certain she was in their corner, rooting for them and wishing them the best in all areas of

their lives. Her balance of discipline and love created a singularly warm environ-ment in which students flourished.

As a frum woman with a Masters’ in Education, she also stood as a role model par excellence, showing her charges that it is possible to be religious, and also have a significant secular education. She worked with her teachers as part-ners, brainstorming with them before making major curriculum decisions, and always showing them how much their opinions and work were valued.

Mrs. Goldstein was given a special fare-well tribute at this year’s Women’s League Supperette, aptly entitled “Voyages.” The entire TAG family wishes her the greatest happiness and blessings, as she begins this new chapter in her life. She will be sorely missed by a grateful community, and innumerable students whose lives were transformed by having her in their lives.

5

Voyages A Memorable Supperette and Evening of Appreciation

When veteran and beloved General Studies Principal, Mrs. Sarah Gold-stein, announced that she was retiring to move to California to spend time with her children and grandchildren, the Women’s League decided to give the veteran educator a royal send off. With the appropriate theme of “Voyages”, parents, faculty, and guests boarded the USS TAG, and entered the beautiful, new athletic center bedecked with lovely tablecloths, animal luggage TAGs, and a colorful luggage centerpiece, which a lucky winner at each table took home.

The School Service Award was pre-sented to Mrs. (Morah) Leah Mond, a dedicated morah in TAG’s pre-school, who works tirelessly to start TAG’s youngest talmidos on the path of learn-ing. Morah Leah is also a devoted and active member of Women’s League.

As Mother of the Year, Mrs. Esther Eiseberger was noted for her creativ-ity, which regularly enhances the pre-school curriculum. Her beauti-ful mishloach manos for TAG Staff last Purim were sights to behold.

The highlight of the evening was the moving tribute to Mrs. Goldstein, that left many teary-eyed, includ-ing Mrs. Goldstein herself. Rabbi Meyer Weitman, TAG’s Dean, made a surprise presentation of a magnificent leichter tray with words of appre-ciation engraved. Parents and faculty members shared their thoughts and feelings; Mrs. Shelley Honickman, long time secretary, administrative assistant, and friend presented Mrs. Goldstein with a lovely memory book.

Mrs. Goldstein, in turn, eloquently expressed her appreciation. It struck

home to everyone attending just how much Mrs. Goldstein would now be missed. A riveting video was followed by an amazing fourth grade choir presentation, under the direction of Morah Chani Lieberman. Their good-bye song left everyone with a lump in their throats and pride in their hearts. Bon voyage, dear Mrs. Goldstein. You leave a lasting legacy as Principal of TAG that won’t easily be forgotten.

6

Women’s League

The Year in Review

When the kids begin to count down to the last day of school and the twinkly song of the ice cream truck drifts in through the open window, it’s a sure sign that the school year is drawing to a close. For the TAG Women’s League, the past year has been a truly success-ful one. We have held many events and run various projects that have enriched the lives of our students, mothers, and faculty. We have already enjoyed our beautiful, newly constructed building, and have raised additional funds to help the school in its future growth. Here is our 2011-2012 Year in Review!

Our Membership Tea featured Rebbetzin Aviva Feiner, and TAG mothers came out en masse to kick off our new school year.

Our New Mothers Meet and Greet at Coffee Bar provid-ed a warm and welcoming setting for new TAG mothers to get acquainted with each other, as well as with school administration (and to be recruited as Women’s League volunteers!).

A Father-Daughter Melave Malka, as well as a Mother-Daughter Brunch and a Mother-Daughter Evening were held, featuring magicians, story tellers, and bird shows. As with any Women’s League event, the food was abundant and a fun time was had by all.

Throughout the year our girls were treated to gifts, snacks, and prizes, courtesy of our “For the Girls” Committee. From a keychain waiting on their desks on the first day of school, to Chanukah pekalach to the End of the Year treat, our talmidos looked forward to these creative goodies all year long.

Pizza Day! What more is there to say?

Let’s not forget our teachers! The Women’s League presented our teachers with Chanu-kah gelt, and a beautifully prepared Mishloach Manos for Purim.

We ended the year with a splash! Our Voyages Supper-ette was surely one to remember. The tremendous crowd in attendance, representative of our new mothers, veteran mothers, and TAG faculty, demonstrated the warm feelings we all have toward our school. Our Bon Voy-age program to Mrs. Sarah Goldstein and our fourth grader’s beautiful song, was a moving experience. Paying tribute to dedicated and hardworking TAG women, supporting TAG for the experience it provides for our girls, and enjoying lots of delicious food…that’s what the Women’s League is all about!

It has been a remarkable year, and we are already preparing for next year! The Women’s League encourages all mothers to get involved and volunteer, for jobs both big and small. It’s hard to say who will enjoy the experience more- you or your daughter. Whether you have one evening to devote to the Women’s League, or would like to help plan an event, your help is always needed and appreciated. Please contact any of the Women’s League Presidents.

We would like to welcome our new Women’s League Presidents for the upcoming school year: Mrs. Gitty Friedman and Mrs. Leah Mond! They bring with them years of Women’s League experience and dedication, and will surely add a lot of fun and creativ-ity to our school. We bid farewell to Mrs. Aliza Gold, Mrs. Goldie Sebrow, and Mrs. Yona Spinner, and we thank them for their years of devotion.

We wish you all a healthy and fun summer. See you in September!

Mrs. Gitty Friedman 718-715-0490 Mrs. Chayale Gorlin 516-295-3846 Mrs. Leah Mond 718-471-0844 Mrs. Naomi Newman 516-569-0847

7

buildinguPdATE

c’’ga, kukt Summer 2012Over 1500 Talmidos and growing!

School Name Dedication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,000,000Elementary School South Wing Dedication . . . . . . . . .1,000,000Elementary School North Wing Dedication . . . . . . . . . .1,000,000Junior High School Name Dedication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TAKENEarly Childhood Name Dedication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TAKENSpecial Ed Learning Center- Name Dedication . . . . . . . 500,000Elementary School Entry Plaza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360,000Roof Top Playground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360,000Dedication Wall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360,000Building Cornerstone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360,000First Floor Early Childhood Division Wing Dedication . . . 250,000Second Floor Wing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250,000Third Floor Wing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250,000Fourth Floor Wing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TAKENThe Zichron Moshe Memorial Wall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250,000Kitchen (Milchig and Fleishig) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250,000

Elementary Gym . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250,000Elementary Pool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250,000Computer Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150,000Lobby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TAKENExpanded Second Floor Auditorium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150,000South Wing Plaza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TAKENFront Atrium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TAKENLearning Center Suite Dedication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100,000Jarvis Entrance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100,000Meehan Entrance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100,000Classrooms (Multiple) MANY TAKEN . . . . . . . . . 50,000Dean’s Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TAKENFaculty Lounge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50,000Parnes Hayom Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50,000Executive Director’s Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36,000Director of Development’s Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36,000Principal’s Office 1 TAKEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36,000

Pre -School Director’s Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36,000Front Entrance Mezuzah (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36,000Side and Rear Entrance Mezuzah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36,000Junior High School Office Reception Area . . . . . . . . . . . . 36,000Washing Station in Dining Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36,000Nurse’s Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36,000Administrative Offices (Multiple) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36,000Art Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TAKENPre-School Vestibule Mezuzah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25,000Founder’s Plaque- Lobby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,000Builder’s Plaque- Lobby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,000Learning Center Room Dedication (Multiple) . . . . . . . . . . 10,000G .O . Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TAKENClassroom Mezuzah (Multiple) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,000Donor’s Plaque- Lobby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,000Windows (Multiple) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,600

• Dedication Opportunities •

For a complete list of dedication opportunities, contact Rabbi Baruch Lovett at 718-471-8444 x212, or email blovett@tagschools.org

• 10 New Classrooms • Renovated

Main Auditorium

Phase 1 Report:

Phase 2 ComingSoon

• New Rooftop Pool

• 27 New Classrooms Completed

• Brand New Full Size Gym Completed

• Roof top play areas Completed

• Expanded 2nd Floor Auditorium Completed

• Widening Main Entrance & Lobby in pRogReSS

Completed

Completed

Completed

Completed

Completed

8

49th Annual DinnerOn looking back at TAG’s 49th Annual Dinner, the astounding number of people attending—close to nine hundred packed into the Banquet Hall at the Sands in Atlantic Beach —is testimony to the unswerving support and allegiance TAG families feel for the school. Not only did it represent the present parent body; a large number of mothers attending were TAG alumnae themselves. The kind of relationship that TAG’s extended family of parents and supporters has with the school bespeaks a deeply rooted history, brimming with Torah true values, and an appreciation for the role TAG has played in the building of Far Rockaway and the Five Towns.

The Dinner Chairmen—Moshe Feuer, Evan Genack, and David Greenbaum—rolled out a red carpet to the com-munity that was impossible to resist, as seen in the record breaking crowd that came out last January to the Sands. The Chairmen’s efforts, combined with the hard work of TAG’s dynamic Executive Director, Dr. Shmuel Reisbaum, and Director of Development, Rabbi Baruch Lovett, yielded his-toric results, setting a new standard to which all TAG Din-ners must now aspire. The funds raised during the dinner campaign are being directed to the operating expenses of the school, and TAG’s scholarship fund. The financial success of the Dinner campaign, and the parent support implicitly stated in the tremendous amount contributed, reflect just how fully TAG’s parent body is staunchly behind the school.

“I received such chizuk seeing the spectacular turnout at the dinner,” observes Rabbi Lovett. “So many of our friends contributed to the financial success of this dinner. Many of our nedivim also participated in a very generous way to

our building campaign. I take that as an overwhelming vote of confidence in the chinuch that our school provides.”

Each honoree was also the parent of a TAG student. The Guests of Honor, Mr. and Mrs. Tzvi and Shifri Perl, were lauded for their participation on TAG’s Board of Directors, and their enthusiastic interest in the school. Of special note was the presence of Mr. Perl’s grandmother, Mrs. Rita Kolter, bli ayin hora, and the great, great- grandchildren who have come from her life of sacrifice and struggle. Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Lonnie Schick received the Rabbi Moshe Weitman, zt”l, Award, citing their long association with TAG beginning with Lonnie Selig Schick, who graduated TAG High School in 1987. Both Michael, a successful caterer, and Lonnie, a dedicated social worker for the Jewish Board of Family Services, expressed deep admiration for Rav Moshe Weitman, explaining, “When a leader has a vision, it trickles down to everyone involved in the school, to this day.”

the Most Successful Dinner to Date

9

Mr. and Mrs. Chesky and Naomi Newman were honored as Parents of the Year. Their connection to TAG is deeply rooted in the memory of Tully Newman, a”h, Chesky’s father, who was a long time supporter of TAG. Chesky is now a litigator at Stahl and Zelmanovitz, a law firm in Manhat-tan. His wife, Naomi, is a full-time mother who currently serves as a Co-President of TAG Women’s League. The recipient of a Master’s Degree in School Psychology from Brooklyn College, Naomi recently trained as a Magen LI educator to teach local yeshiva students about personal safety.

A special Community Service Award was given to Gourmet Glatt for “Corporate Social Responsibility”; receiving the award for the emporium were Mr. and Mrs. Moshe Ratner and Mr. and Mrs. Yoeli Steinberg. Last year, the emporium hosted a special evening dedicated to Renewal, an organization that helps raise funds

to cover the costs of transplants. It also outfits the new Bikur Cholim room in South Nassau Hospital. Yoeli Steinberg explains, “Gourmet Glatt is committed to reaching out to the community and giving back to them.”

Moshe Ratner notes that, “We appreci-ate our customer’s loyalty and feel it is a privilege to be involved in the mosdos and concerns of our community.”

Toward the end of the program, a touching video was shown in tribute to the life of Rabbi Amos Bunim, the leg-endary askan, who also was one of the founding forces of TAG as well as other makomos Torah in Far Rockaway, such as Yeshiva Sh’or Yoshuv, and Yeshiva Darchei Torah. A stunning plaque was presented to the Bunim family as well.

As the program was drawing to a close, the Ganger Family Early Childhood Center was established by Mr. and Mrs. Yitzchak Ganger, in loving memory of their parents, Mr. Joseph Ganger, and Rabbi and Mrs. Aryeh Leib Newman,

a”h, both of whom came to the United States after the churban of Europe. The destruction they witnessed fueled a desire to build Jewish life, which is now being realized fully through the dedication of TAG’s new pre-school wing in their loving memory.

A special thank you to the Dinner Committee for working to make such a successful Dinner: Dr. Boruch Adler, Moshe Feuer, Evan Genack, David Greenbaum, Yaakov Spin-ner, Jeffrey Weinberg, Menachem Kagen, Avinoam Rosenfeld, Rabbi Yaakov Abramowitz, Mrs. Ilana Abramowitz, Pesach Sod, Yehuda Biber, Heshy Blachorsky, Akiba Cohen, Mendy Jaroslawicz, Dr. Ernie Isaacson, Uri Schlachter, Yossie Nussbaum, Mrs. Shari Rum-stein, and Mrs. Daphna Zwickler.

May this “citadel of chinuch hab-nos”, as TAG was referred to dur-ing the dinner, always be zoche to meet the needs of the community it has served for almost fifty years.

10

The

Zichron Henya Ahavas Chesed Program

One aspect of the remarkable educa-tion that TAG high school students receive is their participation in the Zi-chron Henyah Ahavas Chesed Program. Under the auspices of Mrs. Breindy Judowitz, the program utilizes the strengths of each student through a multi-faceted, highly creative and

original program that offers as wide a range of opportunities as there are personalities among the students. From Adopt-a-Bubby—which had life-saving consequences resulting from an Erev Shabbos weekly phone call—to bringing entertainment to children’s hospitals, the program spreads out a panorama of chesed opportunities to each grade. From a list of over thirty chesed project choices, each student decides which chesed activity best suits her abilities.

The Zichron Henyah Ahavas Chesed Project is named for Helen Meir, a”h, a well known and admired resident of Far Rockaway who left a profound mark on the entire neighborhood. Although her life was fraught with physical chal-lenges, her fierce desire to live and achieve resulted in her being a role model for everyone who knew her. In fact, her disabilities made her stand out as an eved Hashem who would let nothing deter her from her dedicated observance of the Torah and mitzvos. The chesodim that Helen pursued in her lifetime are now forever imprinted on the hearts and minds of every TAG student, all of whom participate in the project so lovingly named in her memory.

The project is designed to teach students how to reach out and give to the community in which they live and beyond. It is seen as a stepping stone to adulthood, a chance to as-sume responsibility for one’s immedi-ate environment. For example, twice a month, selected students visit the Woodmere Rehabilitation Cen-ter, where they enthrall the senior residents with stories, play Bingo, sing, do arts and crafts, and occasion-ally present a performance. Other students are Bnos leaders, giving of their time on Shabbos afternoons to create a fun environment for younger children. The Be’er Miriam Tziporah Hachnosas Kallah Fund is a tzedakah fund that helps needy kallahs and chasanim in the Far Rockaway and Five Towns. This fund was started lezecher nishmas Miriam Tziporah Ad-ams, who passed away while in semi-nary. Miriam Tziporah was a graduate of TAG elementary and high school; it was the wish of Rabbi Moshe Weitman, zt”l, to establish a memo-rial in her memory. For the past ten years, TAG seniors have created an inventive, annual Chinese Auction to raise money for this purpose.

Giving is the key ingredient to the success of TAG’s chesed program. Students learn to give of themselves, often to strangers, and learn how to focus on other people’s needs. “Help a Mom” brings students into homes with large families, as mother’s help-ers, homework aides—anything that

comes up. The girls who become in-volved with the Jewish Education Pro-gram of Long Island (JEP) work to ed-ucate children from irreligious homes about Judaism. Chaverim brings together TAG students with children who have special needs. As they give of themselves in challenging situa-tions, they themselves mature as they lay a foundation for their transition into a healthy, generous adulthood.

They learn that academic achieve-ment is only one way of achieving in the world, and that they can make such a difference through their actions. Eleventh and twelfth graders create exciting Motzei Shab-bos activities in the Time for Teens program, designed for junior high school students. By taking respon-sibility for others, they grow and develop as young adults who truly have ownership of their own actions. They learn about relationships, and how relationships grow through giving, both directly and indirectly.

Whether the activity is tutoring, participating in the Hands On/Chai Lifeline Program, livening up a simcha, or working every Thurs-day evening after school filling Yad Yeshaya/Tomchei Shabbos packages, the message from TAG’s Chesed program is giving, giving, and giv-ing again. It’s about diving into mitzvos, and working on oneself until the mitzvah can be performed with a full and eager heart. As Mrs. Judowitz points out, it’s about the

basis of Yiddishkeit, the fundamen-tal principle of loving kindness.

“The signature mark of a TAG girl is the acts of kindness that she does for others,” she explains. “Doing chesed is a talent that needs to be nurtured, and perfected. The students under-stand that the chesodim they perform are their way of contributing to Hashem’s world. We are instilling in them the priceless lesson of ‘Ve-holachta Bedrochov’, enriching the high school years of our precious talmidos, and hopefully, leaving an impres-sion of chesed that will impact their choices for the rest of their lives.”

11

Camp Atara

As the summer season is upon us, Camp AtArA is welcoming two new co-directors, Mrs. Leah Mond and Mrs. Schonie Schwartz, to head the newly renovated and multi-faceted community camp program. Mrs. Mond and Mrs. Schwartz will be replacing Mrs. Rivi Schiffer, who has been the camp’s director for thirteen years. “Mrs. Schiffer paved the way for us,” Mrs. Mond explains. “We are truly following in her footsteps, using the skills and professionalism we observed by being part of the camp and under her direction for so many years.”

This year’s camp season will be differ-ent than any other, as a result of the massive renovations taking place on the TAG campus. Campers will be in new bunk rooms, and will be utilizing the new outdoor, in-ground pool, outdoor water park, and huge new gymnasium. The increased gym space and new play decks will afford multiple sports op-portunities, such as hockey, volley ball, baseball, softball, and sports leagues.

Camp AtArA will also be utiliz-ing the indoor pool in its high

school. All waterfront activities will be headed by a certified Aquat-ics Director and life guards.

The excitement will keep on coming in this new camp season, as AtArA unfolds its well-known program using TAG’s newly built facilities. Its insis-tence on a high staff to camper ratio is a gold standard that will not be compromised. Camp staffers have been working throughout the year planning and coordinating the many trips and overnights that highlight the program. Once part of the team creating a sum-mer of dynamic fun and opportunity, co-directors Mrs. Mond and Mrs. Schwartz are committed to continu-ing the camp schedule and features that have given AtArA such a golden reputation for neighborhood families.

“We both love giving kids a fun time,” explains Mrs. Schwartz. “We were passionate as campers, and are passionate about making camp an unforgettable experience.”

Professionalism and safety are key words for both directors as they develop the camp’s program. In the pre-school,

every classroom continues to be super-vised by one morah and two counselors, ensuring both safety for the campers and fun. The elementary division will be hosting the camp’s usual array of specialties and features and an ex-panded sports program. In addition to weekly trips, these campers are regularly engaged in such activities as baking, arts and crafts, ceramics, drama, dance, sports, swimming, gymnastics, weekly Onegs, Shabbos parties, and shiurim.

The upper division participates in AtArA Adventures, a travelling trip camp that schedules trips four days a week, and one overnight per ses-sion. On Fridays, they bake challahs, and participate in learning chaburas, arts and crafts, swimming and other exciting on-campus activities.

“We provide them with every-thing they need, from A-Z,” Mrs. Schwartz observes.

Meals for Camp AtArA’s new sea-son will be provided by the famous Elite Caterers, under the direc-tion of Mrs. Nechama Katz.

From the happy greetings upon ar-rival, to the ices distributed every day to send campers home cool and contented, Camp AtArA is a complete summer experience not to be missed.

After School ProgramTAG’s After School Program has brought together this year students in grades three through five, two nights a week, for lively activities and creative pursuits. Scheduled from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., the program begins with each student having a snack and doing homework. From 4:30 until the program ends at 6:00, there are scheduled activities provid-ing a wide range of choices for students’ participation.

This year, the after school program included Swim-ming in the TAG High School, an Arts & Crafts Pro-gram, a variety of gymnastic activities , and a drama program culminating in a presentation at the end of

the year. Homework helpers, including teachers from schools throughout the neighborhood, are available for those students who sign up for homework assistance.

The program has been supervised by Mrs. Sarah Gold-stein, Secular Studies Principal, and will continue to be supervised in the upcoming year by Mrs. Shelley Honickman. Mrs. Goldstein notes that, “The girls have loved to be together. A camaraderie develops among the students when they work together, doing team work. It’s an outstanding program, and hopefully, more fund-ing will return to include even more students.”

Non-Profit Org US Postage

PAID Permit No. 1235

Brooklyn NY

Torah Academy for Girls 444 Beach 6th Street Far Rockaway, NY 11691