Exciting Launch of Mivtza Gemara Bifnim Program for The 5782 School Year
by Malky Weinstock
Igud Hamelamdim’s Gemara Curriculum Program “Bifnim” launches its fifth year of programming by holding four exciting prize-awarding events for mastery of text-based learning.
To invigorate students with fresh inspiration for the notable Gemara Bifnim program under the auspices of Lubavitch Chinuch Organization Igud Hamelamdim, there were four separate prize-awarding events hosted by Igud Hamelamdim for the following Schools of Crown Heights and New Jersey: Two events for two divisions of Oholei Torah; United Lubavitcher Yeshiva; and Lubavitch Cheder of Morristown. Additional Gemara Bifnim launching events are scheduled, among them ,Chicago, Baltimore, Detroit, and Toronto.
Genuine enthusiasm was apparent in hundreds of eyes of the precious talmidim as they absorbed the core message echoed by their principals across the four events: The value and necessity of learning Bifnim in order to master becoming an independent lifelong learner, whilst having a more enjoyable learning experience.
Rabbi Avrohom Bluming, Executive Director of Igud Hamelamdim, captivated the boys’ attention at each of the events, with his hands-on visual demonstration of Bifnim Gemara learning.
At Oholei Torah, Principal Rabbi Yehoshua Lustig, encouraged the boys, comparing the program to learning how to bike ride, which requires training at first, but then becomes a life-long skill. Similarly Gemara Bifnim learning initially takes effort to acquire, but then becomes a life-long skill.
At United Lubavitcher Yeshiva Crown St, Dean Rabbi Yosef Simpson, addressed the boys, lauding the beauty of this program and encouraging them to take advantage of it.
Oholei Torah Principal Rabbi Chaim Yisroel Willhelm and Rabbi Yosef Wolf, of United Lubavitcher Yeshiva, respectively addressed their talmidim in their yeshivos.
In Cheder Lubavitch Morristown, NJ, Principal Rabbi Aron Wilschanski addressed the students, as did Harav Hagaon Rabbi Shpalter, who spoke heartfelt words to the talmidim, pointing out that the words of Gemara are actual words of Hashem, and contain special powers! As it says, Oiseeyos Machkimos, reading the words actually make you smart and help you understand better.
Igud’s director of the Mivtza, Rabbi Yehuda Leib Aronson,who is additionally a Mesivta teacher with 9 years experience, pointed out how he sees first-hand how the bochurim graduating from this program are far more advanced than their peers in deciphering a page of Gemara on their own.
The principals all profusely thanked Igud Hamelamdim for all the energy and devotion to the students with this Mivtza.
The events also applauded last years’ finalists of the program, by rewarding them with their earned prizes of valuable seforim sets. At each venue, the Principals lead the procession of awarding the prizes to their students. Seeing the reward for their efforts, incentivized the boys to commit themselves to succeeding in the program this coming year. An exciting powerpoint presentation on screen added color and visuals to the four events.
Gemara Bifnim, a project of Crown Heights based Chinuch organization Igud Hamelamdim, has now embarked on its fifth year and will be operating in 33 classrooms (grades 6,7,8) across the US and Canada. Many schools eager to join have been contacting Igud, as the program makes plans to expand.
“While being able to read the Gemara inside is assumed to be basic to learning Gemara,” explains Rabbi Avrohom Bluming, the director of the organization, “the reality is that it is becoming a growing challenge. Children nowadays are finding it ever more challenging to focus on words on a page, and it really hits them hard when they enter yeshiva. Our revolutionary program has made significant in-roads in affording children these fundamental skills in an exciting manner.”
To learn more about the details of this innovative program, visit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-2DGU1Hnvp5ir6WFtR4t4_yRCnarzqs5/view?usp=drivesdk
