Impressions of a Cheder

“The education of the children of the Shluchim is on my shoulders.” This well known quote of the Rebbe has proven to be truthful and well founded.

Yet, it is the holy obligation of every shliach and shluchah to invest the effort and energy to ensure that the Rebbe’s words ring true and are met. As a result, various educational institutions have been founded all over the world – all dealing with the universal challenge that we face in our homes – which is also the key to our success on the outside – chutzah – the education of the Shluchim’s kinder.

Last week, in New Jersey, I had the zechus to join a small group gathered in Cheder Menachem, the Cheder for the Tzeirei HaShluchim in Central Jersey and its surrounding areas.

32 girls and boys, the gematriyah Leiv, had completed another successful year of learning in a warm, personalized environment, in which every corner cries “Shlichus”. They sat, heartfelt, in their seats, as Mrs. Chanie Zaklikovsky, Principal of the Cheder, opened the seventh annual end of year ceremonies, in an institution for Shluchim and dedicated to their Meshalayach.

The program was interesting and varied, with every class showcasing another aspect of a Chassid and his Hiskashrus. The students had spent weeks of study on the basic elements of Hiskashrus, culminating in interactive exhibits on Gimmel Tammuz. Today was their chance to present to their parents what they had accomplished and learned.

The melodic sounds of Niggunim filled the air as the Cheder Orchestra performed their feature presentation. The program was presented entirely by the students, who narrated and starred in all of its details. In general, the accomplishments and results of this educational venture are above all estimation.

“It is possible; It can be done!” whispered Rabbi Eliezer Zaklikovsky, a shliach who currently sends his children to the Cheder. “All groups of Shluchim in every place in the world can group together and coordinate so that their children can have a proper education. Over here, there are children who travel hours every day solely to learn in a mosad of the Rebbe, one hour each way!” And the financial aspect? I ask for all those who are curious but don’t have the courage? He replies that the parents divide the financial burden equally, and put great effort into fiscal prudency.

The building, the environment, the happy faces – it feels like a dream. Rabbi Levi & Goldie Azimov, the administrators of the Cheder, explain:

“The Zaide, Reb Mendel Shemtov, of blessed memory, was well known for his love and concern for Shluchim in general and the children of Shluchim specifically. He encouraged us from the day we went out on shlichus in New Jersey to set up some form of educational facility for our children. He said that he would support us and encourage us, that it is possible and it can be done. It is possible to say that this Cheder exists because of his vision and his great efforts.”

“Despite many challenges, we, B”H have seen open miracles of the Rebbe, and we were lucky to find a suitable facility for the Cheder. Today, our children study in six beautiful and spacious classrooms, benefiting both physically and spiritually.”

The teaching staff come from near and far, while the administrator and principal volunteer for this holy work 24 hours a day.

The Melamed, Rabbi Sholi Cohen, himself a child of Shluchim – from Leeds, England, proudly recounts the accomplishments of his young students: “Children of 8 years of age, learned 3 mesechtos of Mishnayos off by heart: Yuma, Taanis and Sukah; they learned 5 pages of Gemara with Shakla VeTarya, and can relate 3 perakim of Tanya fluently. “We celebrated with a siyum in which parents, grandparents and guest challenged the students, and tested them– and the children persevered with flying colors!”

The highlight of the event was breathtaking video footage featuring interviews by the children: Each family of Shluchim shared their own personal experiences with the Rebbe as a special project for the 16th Yom Hilula – Gimmel Tammuz.

On the screen, Rabbi Sholom Duchman, the director of Kollel Chabad appears as he is interviewed by his grandchildren who question him about the Niggunim of the Rebbe. He recounts, with tears in his eyes, the niggunim he personally learned standing Simchas Torah in the early morning. “Hu Elokenu, Atoh Bechartonu, Onim Zemiros, Stav Ya Pitu, Rachamono, Ki Onu Amecha…”

In one segment, Mrs. Malky Goldshmid, a mother and teacher and shlucha from Philadelphia, describes her personal Yechidus with the Rebbe. In another, a father, Rabbi Aryeh Weinstein vividly describes his experiences at Farbrengens with the Rebbe.

Amongst the guests, I recognize an elderly chossid, Rabbi Mordechai Altein. A short conversation with him reveals the astounding fact that before us stands 5 generations of Shluchim. The great grandfather Rabbi Yisrael Jacobson; his son-in-law, Rabbi Mordechai Altein; his son, Rabbi Avrohom Altein; his son-in-law, Rabbi Eliezer Zaklikovsky and his little son who is now on the microphone sharing what he has learned.

“As a young bochur,” says Rabbi Mordechai Altein, “the Frierdiker Rebbe sent me as his first shliach to Pittsburgh. My specific mission was to establish a Cheder and Yeshiva. It is overwhelming and heart warming to see the shluchus continuing, as my grandchildren and great grand children perpetuate the holy words I heard in the Yechidus room in 770 17th day of Kislev 1952.”

Certificates are handed out, marking every child’s accomplishments and chassidishe behavior; Thank-You’s and presents are given out to the dedicated staff. As the parents file out, they pass tables filled with projects and displays. I leave secure in the knowledge of a bright future – the faces of the young soldiers, our future Shluchim are tomorrow’s promise and hope.