At Gala Mechanchim Recommit To Mission of Raising פרומע ערליכע ,ווארימע ,חסידישע אידן
From powerful musical moments and moving tributes to the launch of an innovative new Chinuch platform, hundreds of mechanchim gathered for an unforgettable banquet celebrating the past, present, and future of the most vital shlichus.
Hundreds of mechanchim gathered Tuesday night for the banquet of the 26th Annual International Kinus HaMechanchim, an evening that brought the theme of this year’s Kinus, Focused on the Ikar, to the forefront.
Throughout the banquet, the message returned again and again to the core purpose of chinuch. In a world where mechanchim are constantly balancing curriculum, classroom management, school growth, technology, and the many practical demands of the job, the evening focused on the soul question that stands above all of them: what are we ultimately trying to accomplish in the life of a talmid?
Rabbi Zalman Loewenthal, Associate Director of the Merkos Chinuch Office, opened the evening by recognizing the many people and partners who helped make the Kinus possible, including the corporate sponsors whose support contributed to the event.
Following the opening video, Rabbi Yaakov Hirsch of Lubavitch Hebrew Academy in Coral Springs spoke as a new Rebbi, sharing the sense of zechus he feels in joining the field of chinuch and taking on the responsibility of helping shape the next generation of talmidim.
One of the evening’s most moving moments was a tribute to Rabbi Tzemach Yosef Yitzchak Wilansky A”H, remembered as a teacher who cared deeply about his students and invested himself in them personally. His example reflected the heart of the evening’s message: that the lasting impact of a mechanech comes not only from what he teaches, but from the care and attention he gives each child.
The tribute was followed by his son, Rabbi Dovid Leib Wilansky, who recited the Rebbe’s Kapitel.
Rabbi Nochem Kaplan, Director of the Merkos Chinuch Office, spoke about the responsibility of a mechanech to remain focused on the individual talmid and the lasting impact that care, attention, and guidance can have on a child.
Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, General Chairman of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, reflected on how deeply the Rebbe cared about chinuch and the central place it held in the Rebbe’s vision. He also introduced Chabad Universe, a new platform being developed for mechanchim, designed around the practical tools, resources, and support they need in their work.
That same message took on another perspective in the remarks of Mr. Eliyahu Kholodenko, Founder and CEO of Questrade Financial Group. Coming from the world of business, Kholodenko spoke about how deeply he values chinuch and the tremendous difference a strong mechanech or mosad can make in the course of a child’s life. He emphasized why chinuch deserves investment, attention, and support, and why the people carrying it out every day are doing work whose impact reaches far beyond the classroom.
The theme of Focused on the Ikar was brought to life through a video featuring Mendel Gurewitz, Rabbi Zalman Teleshevsky, and Noam Lahav, each sharing how a teacher helped them overcome a challenge and left a lasting impact on their lives, highlighting the power of a mechanech to help shape פרומע, ערליכע, ווארימע, חסידישע אידן.
The program then turned to Dovi Okonov’s story, with his father, Rabbi Yossi Okonov, and his teacher, Rabbi Shimmy Gerlitzky, reflecting on the care and guidance of a Rebbi and the difference it made in his life. Dovi then joined Rabbi Levi Lipinski of Cheder Chabad Philadelphia on stage to sing Focused on the Ikar, bringing that message into song.
In the keynote address, Rabbi Benji Korf, Head of School at LEC Miami, spoke about keeping the larger purpose of chinuch at the center of everything a mechanech does. He emphasized that professionalism, training, and strong educational practice are essential tools, but they are only tools for something deeper. Ultimately, a mechanech has the unique ability to transmit hiskashrus, helping shape not only what a talmid knows, but who he becomes and how deeply he is connected to the Rebbe.
A video highlighting The Bus Driver’s Impact underscored that chinuch is shaped by far more than what happens during a lesson, followed by a lively roll call led by Rabbi Zalmy Mochkin, Rabbi Sruli Mochkin, Rabbi Simcha Frankel, and Rabbi Manis Frankel reflected the wide range of schools and communities represented at the Kinus.
The banquet concluded with singing and dancing as the hundreds gathered joined together in celebration of the zechus to be a mechanech.
More than a conclusion to the day, the banquet left mechanchim uplifted, inspired, and strengthened in their shlichus. After an evening focused on the purpose behind their work, participants left with a renewed sense of what stands behind all the sessions, tools, discussions, and ideas of the Kinus. The methods may differ and the challenges may change, but the Ikar remains the same: raising פרומע, ערליכע, ווארימע, חסידישע אידן.
Photo Credit: Sholem Srugo
