Over 60 principals of Chabad schools worldwide logged on to Zoom the other day, for the inauguration of a new program: the Agudas Menahalos Chabad.
Spearheaded by Morah Shana Tiechtel and the Menachem Education Foundation (MEF), the program was born when a few principals approached MEF regarding a space to collaborate on common goals, instead of each doing duplicate work on their own.
Morah Tiechtel reflected on her decades as principal, sharing: “I clearly recall that I often thought it would be so beneficial to have an ,אגודת מנהלות where we could share ideas, work together to meet challenges, hear from experts in specific areas, and most importantly focus on our mission, our goals as Chinuch leaders in Chabad Mosdos. Baruch Hashem, this dream that I had is now becoming a reality. We are launching an initiative that will unite us, empower us, support us and ultimately impact hundreds of students.”
A committee was gathered to represent the wide gamut of Chabad school leadership, including: from high school Limudei Kodesh: Mrs. Hadassa Werner of Bnos Menachem, NY, Mrs. Miriam Heber of Bais Rivkah, NY, Mrs. Risha Majesky of Bais Chana, AZ and Mrs. Chana Friedman of Bader Hillel High, WI; from high school Limudei Chol, Mrs. Naomi Selwyn of Bais Chana LEC, FL and Mrs. Danielle Forer of Ohel Chana High School, CA; from elementary Limudei Kodesh, Mrs. Gitty Rosenfeld of Bais Rivkah, NY, Mrs. Chaya Rosenbluh of Cheder Chabad of Monsey, NY and Mrs. Leah Sollish of Chaya Mushka Children’s House, GA; from elementary Limudei Chol, Mrs. Chanie Feldman of Cheder Chabad of Philadelphia, PA; from Day School, Mrs. Chanie Geisinsky of Silverstein Hebrew Academy, NY and Mrs. Chaya Elishevitz of MMSC Day School, WA; and representing preschool, Mrs. Rivkie Chesney of Slater Torah Academy – Jewish Preschool of the Arts, LA.
The inaugural Zoom meeting began with Dvar Malchus, the Rebbe’s words on the vital importance of Chinuch for preserving Torah and Yiddishkeit. Morah Shana Tiechtel introduced the program and welcomed Morah Chana Gorowitz, Dean of Bais Rivkah Seminary, to share the further guidance from the Rebbe.
Morah Gorowitz shared several letters and Horaos of the Rebbeim with particular relevance to school leaders, as well as Divrei Chizuk for the brachos that come through this role. For example, ”everyone knows that you need love and discipline,” she said, “but most people don’t know that discipline itself can be with love! We have to go with a tekifus, and with a neimus” – conviction and positivity, at the same time.
Mrs. Chanah Rose, Educational Director of MEF, then explained the objective of the program to create small cohorts of principals with similar roles and similar challenges, to meet regularly for collaboration and support. For the rest of the hour-long meeting, attendees joined breakout rooms for their grade level to share new school initiatives that other mosdos could learn from.
Principals attended from throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as South Africa, England, and even rising early in the morning in Australia. “Thank you for organizing, facilitating and creating this wonderful space for principals!” shared Mrs. Dena Gorkin, principal of Bnos Chomesh in Crown Heights.
This Zoom was just the beginning, with small-group meetings being planned and cohorts forming for further collaboration. “Thank you for stepping up and creating a space for us,” shared Mrs. Naomi Selwyn, general studies principal of Bais Chana LEC in Miami. “I think great things are going to be accomplished be’H!”
A school leader who would like to hear the recording or find out how to join can contact info@mymef.org.
