Excitement Brews Around Yeshiva Sha’arei Zion Girls High School

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The planning and preparation for our community’s newest girls’ high school is well underway. This past motza’ei Shabbat culminated the fourth open house event for prospective parents and students of Yeshiva Sha’arei Zion’s Girls High School. What began as a solitary planned event quickly blossomed into three more as the energy for this new community initiative picked up steam. At the initial programs, parents joined to learn about the school and its outlook. They heard from Yeshiva Sha’arei Zion leadership including Rabbi Ephraim Ben Mordechai, Rabbi Avraham Fridman and the high school’s new menahelet, Mrs. Rina Zerykier.

The events have attracted Queens and Five Towns families of eighth grade girls from Bais Yaakov Academy of Queens, Bnos Malka, Ohr Chana, Yeshiva of Central Queens, and Yeshiva Sha’arei Zion.  “There is so much enthusiasm about our new high school launch,” explained Mrs. Zerykier. “People really believe that there is a strong need for a top tier, Bais Yaakov style, girls’ high school in the Sephardic community.”

Each event held at the Beth Gavriel Community Center, showcased the school’s vision and mission. Mrs. Zerykier discussed the core ingredients to establish a strong girls’ high school – where Torah inspires, where 21^st century education inspires curiosity and lifelong learning, and where every girl feels like she belongs. “A school can become a home away from home, where your friends and teachers are your second family.  There, every girl is challenged and encouraged to discover and become the best version of herself.  Our graduates will be given the tools to chart their future, whatever that may be.  As Torah committed, bnot Yisrael, they will have the tools to navigate family and career. One may choose to support a Kollel husband working from home as software engineer, another may work in a hedge fund or open her own business, and another may choose to stay at home while raising her children. We understand that we are raising the next generation of Jewish women who will become one day, bezrat Hashem, wives, mothers, leaders and the future of klal Yisrael,” said Mrs. Zerykier exclusively to the Bukharian Jewish Link. 

Each weekly event seemed to gather more steam for the high school. Parents enthusiasm from the first two events led to a request for their daughters to learn more about the school themselves. From there, grew the student event that took place this past Tuesday evening. The program included more than 30 prospective students who were presented the vision of the new school. In a special Q & A session, the girls inquired about the hashkafic attributes to the rich program of academic studies. The questions then delved into extracurricular activities and electives that would be available.

The student-centered approach of Mrs. Zerykier once again proved to be a winner. “When you treat teens with respect, they get excited and take ownership in the process. The girls really care about their educational future, asking questions about hashkafah, AP course offerings, STEM, electives and extracurricular activities,” noted the menahelet.

At the Tuesday event, onlookers saw teenagers eager to see how their lives will progress. To keep the children engaged and inspired about their futures, the girls designed and decorated journals to take notes and record memories as they embark on their high school careers.

Motza’ei Shabbat followed with an additional gathering for other motivated and eager parents and girls. The administration looks forward to continuing the growing relationship with the community.