Major Success for Moscow’s Annual Chinuch Conference Under Leadership of Russia’s Chief Rabbi

In an uplifting atmosphere filled with responsibility and kedushah, Moscow’s annual Chinuch Conference was held with tremendous success. Dozens of shluchim dedicated to the sacred mission of educating Jewish children and youth throughout the Russian capital came together for two full days of inspiration and professional development at the beautiful Chabad House campus in the prestigious suburb of Zhukovka.

The conference, held under the leadership and personal participation of Russia’s Chief Rabbi, Harav Berel Lazar shlit”a, featured a broad range of professional lectures and productive educational discussions aimed at strengthening and empowering the city’s mechanchim. The sessions focused on sharing guidance, exchanging ideas, and providing advanced tools for authentic Torah-based chinuch, all rooted in ahavas Yisroel and a deep concern for the future and success of every single talmid. Participants also benefited greatly from a particularly engaging and fruitful open forum with Moscow’s Vaad Hachinuch, where practical challenges and real-life educational situations were discussed openly and constructively.

The guest of honor was Harav Chaim Shlomo Diskin shlit”a, Rav of Kiryat Ata and member of the Beis Din of Chabad Rabbanim in Eretz Yisroel. Widely respected for his expertise in chinuch, Rav Diskin advises many educational institutions around the world. Throughout the conference, he addressed the unique challenges facing mechanchim in today’s generation, with special focus on working with teenagers and adolescents.

Also addressing the conference was Rabbi Nachum Rabinovitch, author of Maftechos LaTalmud and a leading instructor in the teaching of Torah Shebaal Peh, who shared professional methods and effective approaches for teaching Gemara to students of varying ages and skill levels.

The highlight of the conference was the central address delivered by the Mara d’Asra and founder of Moscow’s educational institutions, Harav Berel Lazar shlit”a. In his remarks, rooted deeply in the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe זי”ע, the Chief Rabbi spoke passionately about the tremendous zechus and responsibility placed upon mechanchim in today’s Russia, and the obligation to serve as a “dugmah chayah” — a living example — for the younger generation.

Opening his address, the Rav emphasized the unique significance of chinuch work in Moscow:

“When we merit to educate children, many of whom come from homes still distant from Torah and mitzvos, we are engaged in the sacred avodah of “להוציא יקר מזולל.’ These children receive a pure Torah education, and through them we witness the fulfillment of the possuk, ‘והשיב לב אבות על בנים’ — often it is the children themselves who illuminate the path back to Yiddishkeit for the entire family. This beautiful phenomenon can clearly be seen among the children in the cheder as well as among the bochurim in the yeshivos.”

The Chief Rabbi then spoke about the mesirus nefesh required of every mechanech:

“Chinuch demands mesirus nefesh. We are now approaching one hundred years since the imprisonment of the Frierdiker Rebbe on Purim Katan of תרפ”ז. The maamar delivered then, here in Moscow, focused entirely on mesirus nefesh for the chinuch of Jewish children. Even today, although boruch Hashem we live in a time without physical danger, mechanchim must instill within themselves that same inner mesirus nefesh — to invest deeply in every child, to truly care for every talmid, and to provide each student with the tools needed to grow and find his place in avodas Hashem.”

The Rav continued by emphasizing the foundational principle of maalin bakodesh:

“Every child entering a Talmud Torah must feel spiritual growth every single day. But the only way to transmit this is through personal example. A mechanech cannot remain stagnant. He must constantly grow in his own avodas Hashem, continue developing professionally, and strive for personal excellence in ruchniyus. The living example of an ehrlicher, yerei Shamayim teacher leaves the deepest and most lasting impression on students.”

Another major theme highlighted by Rav Lazar was the importance of educating through simchah:

“We must ensure that a child experiences Yiddishkeit, Torah learning, and mitzvah observance with genuine joy. When a student sees a mechanech who lives Yiddishkeit joyfully and radiates warmth and fulfillment, the child naturally absorbs that feeling.”

The conference concluded with an emotional appeal from the Chief Rabbi for additional teaching staff:

“With the tremendous growth and ongoing expansion of our mosdos chinuch — the yeshivos, chadorim, and many educational programs throughout the city — the need for additional mechanchim continues to grow. We warmly call upon more shluchim and educators to join us and take part in this ever-expanding avodas hakodesh.”

At the conclusion of the conference, participants returned to their work strengthened and inspired, expressing heartfelt appreciation to the organizers of the successful event: Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Lipsker, director of Moscow’s educational institutions; Rabbi Menachem Mendel Goldberg, president of Moscow’s Vaad Hachinuch; Rabbi Avraham Gevirtz, director of Cheder Menachem; Rabbi Menachem Mendel Cohen of Kiryat Gat, director of Moscow’s Vaad Hachinuch; and the administration of Chabad House Zhukovka.

Photography: Levi Nazarov