Chabad Mechanchim Recharge for Greater Chinuch Impact

Each year, on Yud Tes Kislev, Crown Heights is blessed with an abundance of special farbrengens. But there is one farbrengen that earns special recognition: the annual Yud Tes Kislev farbrengen for mechanchim arranged by Lubavitch chinuch organization Igud Hamelamdim.

This year, over 100 mechanchim, each a community influencer in their own circle, came together to reenergize their passion for chinuch with Chassidus and chassidishe values. At a fully catered lavish seuda, nigunim were sung, and the teachers farbrenged late into the night.

If farbrenging on Yud-Tes Kislev is critical for any chossid, all the more so for a mechanech upon whom a classroom of children depends for spiritual enthusiasm! That is why Igud Hamelamdim arranges over the year farbrengens and conventions to keep our mechanchim inspired.

On Motzei Shabbos, the Mechanchim gathered in the Kolel hall for an invigorating farbrengen with veteran Chinuch expert Rabbi Michoel Gourarie, rav and shliach Sydney Australia.

Rabbi Gourarie expanded on the eternal values of Chassidus and what it means for chinuch. “Don’t think this generation is any worse off! All chassidishe values can be taught, as the Rebbe says that today we can be mechanech children “vi amul,” just as in the past.”

The mechanchim left the farbrengen deeply moved and uplifted, as one of them commented, “It’s these farbrengens that keep us energized throughout the long winter months!”

Igud Hamelamdim director, Rabbi Avrohom Bluming, shared, “The sense of achdus among the teachers was amazing. Senior, veteran teachers mixed with fresh beginners. The feeling was that we’re all doing the same thing: creating the next generation of chassidim.”

“Though we host extensive courses and seminars throughout the year on classroom techniques,” Rabbi Bluming explained, “nothing can compare to the power of a farbrengen. That’s where the melamdim focus on their identity and mission as a chassidishe melamed. He can sit with fellow Lubavitcher melamdim, to hear and discuss what chassidishe chinuch is meant to be.”

Each farbrengen delivers invaluable lessons to help teachers improve their hadracha and provides a surge of inspiration to warm and fuel their motivation until the next gathering. Thus, a Mechanchim Farbengen has a two-fold effect, uplifting not only the teachers, but through them, their students.