A Day of Chinuch in Los Angeles

On Monday, Feb. 1, the Menachem Education Foundation sponsored a day of Chinuch in the Los Angeles educational community in conjunction with Cheder Menachem of L.A., Beis Chaya Mushka of L.A. and the B.J.E. of L.A.

Mr. Shimon Waronker was brought in to address three separate audiences and venues on the importance of strong educational leadership. Shimon is currently learning from Chancellor Joel Klein to lead the largest public school system in the nation.

Shimon is a graduate of the first cohort of the NYC Leadership Academy after serving as a middle school teacher for three years. He was then assigned as Principal of Jordan L. Mott, Junior High School 22, in the South Bronx — one of the 12 most violent schools in New York City — and helped turn it around. He was featured on the front page of the NY Times as well as the Today Show, CNN, and numerous other media outlets for his work in the school. Shimon and five other Doctoral Students at Harvard developed a new model of education called the New American Academy which won Harvard’s Phi Delta Kappa award for Innovation in Education.

The morning began with Shimon hosting a professional development day for the staff of Cheder Menachem and Beis Chaya Mushka. The program covered many of the pressing challenges that educators face today, such as how to instill Ahava and confidence into the minds of students and children. Additionally, Shimon spoke about various educational models and the implications for Limudei Kodesh.

Following the program, Shimon hosted a farbrengen at the B.J.E. of L.A. with the educational leaders of the Los Angeles communities. Over 25 principals attended to meet Shimon and learn from his leadership experiences. The farbrengen brought together a diverse and talented group of principals, ranging from Lubavitch to Litvish to Reform! The principals all walked away inspired to learn more about various leadership models and begin to apply them into their work.

In the evening, Shimon addressed the Anash community of Los Angeles regarding parenting and education. The presentation was entitled “How to Develop Leadership in Your Child” and used practical and hands-on examples of the many opportunities parents have to help nurture the leadership skills that children possess. The presentation was lively and energetic, and the audience was very responsive to the message that was delivered.

“This is really a big step for us,” remarked Rabbi Menachem Greenbaum, principal of Cheder Menachem, “Traditionally, the big “chinuch events” have been hosted on the East Coast, and us Californians needed to tag along. It is great to be able to play a leading role in the future of chinuch, and I am thankful to the Menachem Education Foundation for making this happen!”

The Menachem Education Foundation was established to raise the bar of Jewish education. The Foundation believes that Great Educators are the key to Great Education. The Foundation runs training programs for aspiring teachers and educational leaders, and is shaping the future of Jewish education!