Hi-Tech Megillah Trainer Launched

Ever wanted to learn to read the Megillah but didn’t think you had the time? This year’s extra month until Purim may be just what you were waiting for! And that’s not all! Chabad.org just launched the ultimate Megillah reading tool: The Interactive Megillah Trainer.

Reviews are in, from bochurim learning to lain for the first time to shluchim brushing up on the Megilah trop, and the response has been great according to Rabbi Levi Galperin, of Chabad.org, who is overseeing production of the upcoming Bar Mitzvah Torah Trainer.

“Our goal was to create a space where anyone who would like to learn how to lain can find the tools to help them do so,” added Rabbi Yaakov Feldman, who oversaw development of Chabad.org’s Bar and Bat Mitzvah sites.

The technology behind the Megillah Trainer is also being used for the Torah Trainer, that when complete, will include all parshios and haftaros. It is slated to be the most advanced kriah training tool available today, offering different styles and options to cater to each ba’al koreh, beginner or advanced. The Torah Trainer is already available for beta testing with a new parshah being added each week. CrownHeights.info readers can take an early peek at it here. Additional nuschaos, including ashkenaz and sefard, are in the works, too.

The Megillah Trainer currently includes two styles, one featuring Rabbi Chaim B. Alevsky, creator of Tools for Torah, who has created many interactive and educational tools. It also features Rabbi Cantor Levi Kaplan, director of operations at JLI, leading educator, sought-after cantor and director of the Council of Chabad Cantors.

The tool aids students by highlighting each word as it is sung and allows them to learn at their own pace. It is supported on mobile devices and tablets, so that students can learn on the go.

The Megillah Trainer is the latest addition to a suite of interactive Prayer Trainers created by Chabad.org, including: Torah Blessing Trainer, Torah (and Haftorah) Trainer, Kaddish Trainer, Aleph Beis Trainer and Megillah Trainer.