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Learning taken Added Dimension in Miami

MIAMI, FL [CHI] — Learning has taken on added dimensions in the elementary school department of Lubavitch Educational Center in Miami. With the culmination of two special programs, becoming a true chassidishe young boy or girl has become as important as getting an “Aleph” on the next test.

More pictures in the Extended Article


The unlimited potential of Lubavitch Elementary School students has been discovered in the ongoing program “I Am a Chossid.” Inaugurated 6 months ago for boys and girls in all elementary school grades, “I Am a Chossid” calls upon students to add a new chassidishe custom or hiddur mitzvah every week, with the goal of instilling yiras shamayim in the children. Raffle tickets were given weekly for daily performance of the new weekly hiddur mitzvah, as well as for any of the mitzvos from the previous weeks. As an added bonus students had the option of even selecting their own particular mitzvah or custom they would like to do for a week. Double raffle tickets are given to any participant who went for a week without watching TV, listening to the radio or going on the Internet. Parental participation in the program was the absolute key to its success, as parents were required to monitor their child’s participation daily. Positive feedback was overwhelming as children really worked hard on becoming true Chassidim.

With over 90 percent of the entire school actively participating it was obvious the reward would have to fit the tremendous effort. As a result, 12 lucky children were awarded a trip to the Rebbe in New York for extra special steady participation. However, no one went home empty handed as each child (who participated) took home their very own “I am a Chossid” T-shirt or Sweatshirt. A special thank you goes to Mrs. Alona Pinhas for raising the funds necessary for the T-shirts, Yakov Sebbag (N.Y.) for providing the logo design, and Mrs. Renne Bortunk for facilitating the printing. The program was such a success that children, teachers, and parents alike had requested it to continue straight through the summer. It will be a definite asset to help keep tabs on children who are not in sleep away camp. Being so, each child will leave school with an entire folder/packet filled with the proper materials needed to continue the childrens chassideshe growth. Counselors in over night camp, be aware, these children are coming fully equipped with their very own “I AM A CHOSSID” packet to continue there hachlotas throughout the summer.

The program was founded in honor of Hachossid Reb Yisroel Halevi Duchman, for the speedy Refuah Shaleimah of Bracha Rivka Bas Esther Yehudis Klein and L’iloi Nishmas hatinok Dovid Eliezer ben Yibadel Lchaim Tovim Reb Benyomin Yosef.

Davening like a Chossid has earned boys in grades 4 to 6 exclusive membership in “Club D.L.C . (Daven Like a Chossid)” The program was established to encourage students to pay careful attention to their davening by first giving tzedakah before davening, always looking in the siddur, pointing to each word, and saying every word carefully, with meaning and enthusiasm. Each week the outstanding daveners were awarded the privilege of davening together with a recording of the Rebbe’s actual davening. After davening they were given a hot cup of cocoa, marshmallow fluff, and a special treat to enjoy before starting class. Teachers were strict on demanding high standards, and the students were serious about complying, as one can see in the following pictures. Each new member to Club DLC received an official membership certificate and membership to this exclusive club has risen from 8 boys to an average of 30! Special mention is needed for Eliyahu Dreifus of 4th grade, and Simcha Bonnardel of 5th grade 5b, for not missing a single week. Their strong will and determination to Daven like a chossid is an inspiration to all.

This program was founded in memory of Reb Hirsch Moshe (Harvey) Halevi Wasserman Ob”m; who left an everlasting example of Davening like a true Chossid, may his Neshama have an aliyah!

The Lubavitch Educational Center is headed by Rabbi Bentzion Korf and Principal Mrs. Chaya Sara Dalfin.

For more information on the Lubavitch Educational Center you can log on to lecfl.com.

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13 Comments

  • A Appreciative Parent

    It is amazing that I do not see Rabbi Yaakov Garfinkel’s name in this article. He is the enthusiastic 5th Grade Rebbe who created and runs both of these exceptional programs. Yasher Koach Rabbi Garfinkel!!

  • A grateful parent.

    Yay Morah Esti!!!
    Thank you for all of your hard work in being m’chanech our precious children and for escorting the girls to New York for the second year. We appreciate all of your hard work.

  • Beautiful!

    What a beautiful idea! This gives a lot of nachas to the Rebbe M”HM! This will bring Moshiach!!!

  • chaya08

    i love that school!!!! the kids are so well behaved and i can honestly say its a pleasure to walk down the hallways. Im just an outsider but i think what you guys do is amazing! keep it up!

  • Yosef Shidler

    As the Head Counselor for the schools Camp this summer we (the staff) are proud to day that the Learning and Chassidshkeit standards will be up kept to the highest standards this summer. We hope the kids will walk away from from the schools day camp at the end of the summer saying “I am a chassid”!!!! – Moshiach Now

  • their ok, dont worry!

    the boys in Miami are doing just fine, mr head counselor! they can teach the counselors what chassidim are all about! Lets just hope that the counselors from other areas coming to a Miami camp can keep up the standards necessary.

  • A Proud LEC Parent

    Yea LEC! You guys are great- thanks for being so dedicated to our children! I’m proud of and grateful to all of the teachers and staff!

  • Yosef Shidler

    “the boys in Miami are doing just fine, mr head counselor! they can teach the counselors what chassidim are all about! Lets just hope that the counselors from other areas coming to a Miami camp can keep up the standards necessary…..”
    =================================

    WHATEVER WAS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS HAS COME TO AN… THE REBBES CAMP IS BACK…A CAMP RUN THE WAY THE REBBE WANTS AND NO OTHER WAY…hold us to that

  • chagit

    Thank you so much Morah Estee for all your hard work dedication and loving care you are the BEST MORAH!!!!!!!
    we are so lucky to have you!
    have a great summer!
    a grateful parentHQJ487