Is It OK To “Snatch” Teachers?

Question: I was recently appointed as the principal in an out-of-town Cheder. One of my main responsibilities is to hire new teachers for the school. I have a few friends who are currently teaching in other Chabad schools and are very successful. Is it wrong of me to reach out to them and offer them a teaching position even though the other institution will obviously not be happy?

Answer: Firstly, I am very impressed with your sensitivity in reaching out with such an important question. This is, unfortunately, a very common practice and many do not even ask the question. While each particular circumstance is different — for example: If the teacher has already decided on their own that they want to leave — the general approach of the Rebbe can be summarized in one line: We are all working for the same boss and cause and thus should avoid hurting our own institutions.

The following are some letters of the Rebbe that highlight this approach:

(1) In 5712 (1952), the Rebbe wanted to open a school that would give a higher education to girls. At the time, it was not something that Chassidim were used to and there was no grassroots movement to make it happen. The Rebbe wrote a sharp letter to the administration of Kar Chabad, in which the following was written:

“I am pained by the fact that each of the (Chabad) institutions in Kfar Chabad, and other places as well, act as an independent institution and each administrator views the other institutions as competition. While it is (obviously) a good thing that the administrator of an institution has the best interest of his own institution in mind, after-all that is his job, nevertheless it is very important to be cognizant of the growth and success of any Chabad mossad in Eretz Yisroel will lead to growth and success of his own institution.”

The Rebbe adds:

“Sometimes one institution needs to ‘bend over’ so that the other one can be successful. While the first institution may temporarily lose out, in the long term it will add to the success of all institutions. (Igros, Vol. 6 p. 258; #1767)

(2) “It is not a good (or right) thing, that one institution “chaps” (snatches) teachers from another Chabad institution.” (Mikdash Melech Vol. 1 p. 181)

(3) In an answer to one of the main Chabad institutions in Eretz Yisroel, who wanted to open a fundraising office in the USA, the Rebbe responded: “In addition to the fact that you do not have a capable person to run the office, you are opening yourself up to constant complaints and interference from the local institutions. Thus, this idea should not be considered.” (Igros, Vol. 34 p. 260; #11,827)

It is very important to clarify that the Rebbe does want each institution to be successful and to cater to the needs of their specific demographic, but it should all be done in a peaceful way. This mindset is expressed in the following letter:

(4) “You write to me that there is a possibility of the local schools all uniting together in one place: It is well-understood that there is no room for such an idea and certainly — in diplomatic fashion — you will figure out a way that this should not happen… The reason being: There is no benefit in forcing everyone to one style, level and approach to education as it best when there are options (obviously kosher options) for people to choose from.

As proof to the above-mentioned model, look at the educational institutions in Kfar Chabad itself: There is the mainstream Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim, a vocational school (where the students learn a professional trade), and a farming school. They are all under the auspices of Chabad and yet cater to different types of students. Certainly in your case — where you are in a big city (with many different groups) — you should make sure that there remain diverse (but kosher) educational options.” (Igros, Vol. 18 p. 460; #6940)

5 Comments

  • Mushkie

    “It is not a good (or right) thing, that one institution “chaps” (snatches) teachers from another Chabad institution.”

    Chapping teachers from ANOTHER CHABAD INSTITUTION is not okay. But does that not imply that it IS okay to chap a teacher from a non-Chabad institution?

    (Weren’t Rosh Yeshivos in various Chabad sometimes chapped from non-Chabad yeshivos?!)

  • Mushkie

    Chabad institutions in Eretz Yisroel, who wanted to open a fundraising office in the USA, the Rebbe wrote, “this idea should not be considered.”

    Then pray tell, why are many Chabad institutions from Eretz Yisroel fundraising in the USA, specifically in Crown Heights? This is a COMMON occurrence that is seemingly contrary to the Rebbe’s clear directives!

  • Tomim

    Regarding Israeli fundraising in the USA – that has been a long-standing tradition for yeshivos and organizations in the “old country” to solicit funds in the USA.

    If so, exactly which idea is the rebbe against?

    Maybe the letter requires CONTEXT.

    A clue is that the letter is responding to the question of “opening an office” in the USA – namely, a permanent presence of continued fundraising!

  • Tomim

    IMO this illustrates the DANGERS of using a letter sent to one individual asking a particular question (which is NOT published), and building from that response a RULE (shita) of what the Rebbe holds on various subjects.

    It’s like if the answer in Igros is “5”, but the question is not provided other than a notation “a response to a math question”, does that mean 3+3 is also “5”?!

  • anonymous

    Some mosdos try to “chain and shackle” their staff by interfering with freedom of movement and not allowing any other mossod to hire their staff.

    This permits the exploitation of the staff by the mossad (example: not paying adequately or overworking them with hours/responsibilities).

    Certainly, that was not the Rebbe’s intent – to make a teacher a “prisoner” of the mossad.

Add your comment

The comment must be no longer than 400 characters 0/400