What will Hebrew Schools Look Like?

Merkos302.com

Ckids opens a discussion between experienced shluchim and educators who will gather virtually to share wisdom about next year’s Jewish learning prospects.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early March, isolation and social distancing have become the new normal. So where does that leave tens of thousands of Hebrew School students across the globe?

This Monday, 6th of Av, July 27th, from 12:00 – 3:00pm, Ckids is leading a virtual workshop to explore Hebrew School solutions for the upcoming year. Topics will feature innovative ideas for incorporating social distancing into a school day, best practices for engaging students virtually, and ideas on keeping the community connected.

“Every shliach wants to continue offering the same high quality Jewish education that has become a hallmark of Chabad Hebrew Schools,” says Rabbi Zalmy Loewenthal, director of Ckids. “But since corona the rules have been completely rewritten.”

That’s why, as the headquarters of Chabad Hebrew Schools, Ckids found it so important to offer innovative solutions. “Our team of talented shluchim and educators have rich experiences and insights to share with the Hebrew School community,” says Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, vice chairman of Merkos 302.

The event will be emceed by Rabbi Dovid Weinbaum from Dix Hills, NY and will feature a panel of knowledgeable and veteran shluchim, each addressing a different aspect of Hebrew School for the upcoming school year.

  • Mrs. Chaya Kesselman will address how to successfully run a classroom that incorporates social distancing guidelines, featuring pods, rotating days, and more.
  • Mrs. Mimi Kaplan of New Jersey will offer strategies for enrolling 95% of potential students.
  • Rabbi Yisroel Cotlar of North Carolina will present unique strategies to engage different types of people.
  • Ms. Chaya Zirkind, CKids out of the box Hebrew School Director will share her secrets for keeping children engaged during a Zoom lesson.
  • Additionally, Rabbi Zalmy Loewenthal will share a new program called “Hebrew School Out of the Box,” and explain how it can help shluchim offer the highest quality curriculum with minimal effort.

Words of inspiration and empowerment from Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky will end off the event, stirring the audience to keep Torah learning thriving through uncertain times. “What next year will bring is a mystery to all of us,” he says. “The most important thing is to make sure that teaching Torah remains our top priority.”