It’s commencement for 107 at Yeshiva of Central Queens

Yeshiva of Central Queens hosted its annual commencement for the Class of 2025 on June 17 at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center.

The event took place under the backdrop of the matzav in Eretz Yisrael, with presentations throughout the evening making it clear that our brothers and sisters are always on our minds, in our hearts, and in our tefilot.

One-hundred-seven students, dressed in caps and gowns, proceeded down the aisles, as proud family members looked on. Rabbi Ophie Nat led renditions of the Star-Spangled Banner, HaTikvah, and Acheinu, with musical accompaniment by Morah Tali Brody.

Principal Rabbi Mark Landsman and Associate Principal of General Studies K-8 Melissa Cohen, offered words of Torah, encouragement, and praise for the students.

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 Sheberach 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.

Esther Lowinger, 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, titled Yerushalayem, Oro shel Olam (Jerusalem, Light of the World), took the audience on a journey through time from creation until.

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 in between. To conclude, the lights went out and black lights turned on, girls wore white lights and signed “Oseh Shalom,” a message for peace in the future.

To conclude the spectacular evening, the crowd watched a video montage created by Jen Jaffe. Fond memories from over the many years in YCQ were displayed as the students looked on, recalling the moments they experienced together. 

A collation back at YCQ concluded the memorable night.