324 Mechanchim from over 60 schools around the world convened in Tarrytown, NY today for the 24th Annual Kinus Hamechanchim. A collaboration between Menachem Education Foundation (MEF) and the Merkos Chinuch Office, this groundbreaking Kinus is the largest one to date.
First order of the day was a visit to the Ohel, connecting to the Mishaleach and reading a Pan Klali on behalf of all Chabad Mechanchim worldwide. Rabbi Nachman Y. Twersky, Maggid Shuir and Mashpia at Oholei Torah Mesivta, prepared Mechanchim with words of his’orerus on the Shlichus of Chinuch.
Upon arriving at the hotel, participants were treated to a lavish welcoming lunch, with Rabbi Yosef Simpson of United Lubavitcher Yeshiva opening the program with the Rebbe’s letter. Rabbi Mendel Blau, of Oholei Torah/ Oholei Menachem, introduced the Kinus theme of “L’kareiv Liban shel Yisrael La’Avihem She’bashamiym – Igniting Hearts, Nurturing Minds.”
Over the course of the day, Mechanchim got to experience over a dozen sessions and workshops unpacking that topic, with simultaneous tracks to choose from catering to the needs of teachers of all grade levels, as well as school leadership, administration and topics of general interest.
Highlights included “A Minute is a Year: How the Rebbe Modeled and Promoted Time Management” with Rabbi Nochum Kaplan, “Is Your School the Happiest Place on Earth?” with Rabbi Zalmy Kudan, and “Turning Emotionally Charged Conversations with Parents into Opportunities for Collaboration” with Rabbi Levi Feldman. Panels had seasoned educators co-presenting on topics as thought-provoking as “The Issues of the Day” and as practical as “20 Hacks for Teaching Chumash and Mishnayos”. Rabbi Yakov Danishefsky, LCSW, gave the mental health perspective in several sessions on helping students thrive, and Rabbi Avremel Hershkovich helped Mechanchim approach their own finances in a session on “Smart Spending Strategies.”
These and other targeted workshops and sessions led educators right into a group photo and Mincha, and the option to grab an hour of R&R or partake in Niche-Topic “Buzz” Groups to gain further tools in Chinuch.
They found the day enriching, empowering and enjoyable.
