Day Two of Kinus HaMechanchim Applies Chassidus Solutions To the Realities of Today’s Classroom
The second day of the Kinus saw mechanchim come together to share resources, ideas, and techniques on how to utilize the Rebbe’s guidance, the fundamentals of Chassidus, and the 12 Pesukim to meet today’s challenges.
Tuesday night’s banquet flowed into a late-night farbrengen with Rabbi Yossi Paltiel, Founder of InsideChassidus.org and teacher at Chovevei Torah, leading mechanchem in a more informal setting, singing Chassidishe niggunim, sharing experiences from their efforts in chinuch, and farbreng about the responsibility and zechus of being a mechanech.
The conversations continued well into the night, carrying the banquet’s inspiration into a warm, Chassidishe atmosphere of connection and reflection.
With that inspiration and chayus still fresh, Day Two of the 26th Annual International Kinus HaMechanchim began with Chassidus from Rabbi Yosef Minkowitz, Director of Beth Rivkah Montreal, before davening, setting the tone for another full day of sessions focused on giving mechanchim practical tools while keeping the deeper purpose of chinuch at the center.
A strong focus throughout the day’s programming is how the values and teachings of Chassidus translate into the real challenges mechanchim face every day. Rather than remaining abstract ideas, sessions explore how Chassidishe principles can guide how a Rebbi responds to a struggling talmid, builds resilience, approaches classroom challenges, and shapes his classroom environment.
One of the morning highlights brought together Rabbi Hertzel Pewzner, Mashpia in Tomchei Tmimim Morristown; Rabbi Shmuli Friedman, Assistant Principal at Oholei Torah; and Rabbi Zalmy Kudan, Educational Director of Lamplighters Jewish Academy, for Using the 12 Pesukim to Guide Real Classroom Challenges, taking the familiar pesukim at the heart of a child’s chinuch and applying their messages to situations mechanchim actually encounter. The conversation resonated so strongly that it continued beyond the scheduled session time, with mechanchim remaining in the room to continue the discussion.
Rabbi Zalman Leib Markowitz, Vaad HaChinuch member, addressed another increasingly relevant challenge in Strength From Within: Helping Talmidim Withstand Outside Influence, focusing on building the inner strength of a talmid so that his Yiddishkeit and Chassidishkeit are not only something he learns, but something that can guide him beyond the walls of the classroom.
That theme continued across the day in different forms. Rabbi Yoseph Chaiton, Curriculum Coordinator at Desert Torah Academy and Founder of Chinuch Solutions, explored how Kodesh and Chol can work together to create true educational synergy, while Rabbi Yisroel Grossberg, M.S. Ed., Rabbinic Educational Director of Amudim/Darcheinu, addressed how schools can recognize and respond when a student is struggling, including referral, school support, and accountability.
Administrators and school leaders had their own practical focus. Rabbi Mendel Greenbaum, Head of School at Cheder Menachem Los Angeles and Bais Chaya Mushka, LA, led From Resistance to Results, addressing difficult conversations with staff and parents when leading change, while Mr. Zalman Michel, CEO of Wize, a software and AI consulting company, presented Smarter School Systems, exploring how AI and better processes can streamline the work of a school.
The programming also addressed the many questions that arise beyond academics. Rabbi Boruch Hertz, Rav of the Chabad community of Chicago and Dean of LGHS, led Everyday Halachic Dilemmas in School, bringing practical halachic guidance to situations mechanchim regularly encounter, while other sessions focused on school safety, standards, differentiation, technology, and the challenges facing today’s talmidim.
The Chinuch Tech Hub continues as well, giving mechanchim the opportunity to beta-test new AI tools built specifically for their shlichus and explore how technology can practically assist them in the classroom.
The day will conclude with the closing program and Chinuch Pitch Finale, bringing two packed days of learning, discussion, and connection to a close.
Sholem Srugo/Kinus Office
