Released Time Melava Malka

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — In preparation for Yud Shevat, NCFJE’s Released Time Program of greater New York had a Melave Malka for all their instructors and outreach workers. The gathering was meant to strengthen their Hiskashrus/connection to the Rebbe and to rededicate their efforts to teaching public school children one hour of Torah a week.

Over one hundred of the 150 Released Time instructors attended this Melave Malka, which was a great success.

More pictures in the Extended Article! (Photos by: Eli Kahan)

Rabbi Sholem Ber Hecht, chairman of the executive committee NCFJE, spoke about Released Time as being there final frontier of Jewish education. He told the audience that this is the first Hafarfatza organization of Lubavitch in America. This was the first step to the fulfillment of the Friederdiger Rebbe’s pledge that he is going to show the world that “America is Nisht Andresh.”

Rabbi Shazak Zirkind, director of Released Time, spoke of the great dedication of the teachers and outreach workers. He said that if each teacher would commit to add one student a month to their roster from now until Yud Alef Nissan it would be the greatest gift to the give the Rebbe.

Rabbi Shea Hecht, chairman of the board NCFJE, said that in previous years after all the rallies and Lag Be’Omer Parades, the Rebbe would ask about the number of Released Time children – an indication that the Rebbe was always hoping for greater numbers.

Also discussed was the new Shabbaton program that Released Time has launched – a program will work in conjunction with the local Shluchim of Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island – as well as the upcoming Released Time winter camp which is scheduled to take place in February.

Each Released Time Instructor received a book on the history of Released Time program, a Kehos publication, which is valued at $55.00. The gift was given to the instructors now – in the middle of the year – so that it shouldn’t just be a gift of appreciation but also one of acknowledgment.

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