Investing in the Future of Chinuch

Recently over a dozen young Chabad principals sat around a table sharing their vision for the future of Chabad Chinuch. Swapping ideas and working off of each other’s energy and enthusiasm, the unique group of school leaders felt excited and confident that a strong, viable and successful Chabad Chinuch can become a reality for every child in their communities.

The cohort of young menahelim and mechanchim, brought together by the Menachem Education Foundation, are taking part in a yearlong Chabad School Leadership Program that was created to help build aspiring leaders in Chabad Schools. The program strengthens the menahelims’ practices, knowledge and skills, and roots all of its approach in the Chassidishe approach to Chinuch by focusing on creating a strong school culture of Ahvas Hashem, Ahavas Yisroel and Ahavas Hatorah.

The newly launched program was developed with guidance from MEF’s extensive past involvement with principal training and leadership, and is led by Rabbi Yossi Rosenblum of Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh. Earlier this month, the official program began with a four-day intensive seminar in Crown Heights. Participants include thirteen school principals or leaders in the early years of leadership who are seeking to develop best practices in school leadership.

Throughout the full days of learning in the weeklong training session in New York, the prinicpals were introduced to the concept of leadership being a conduit for growth.

“The Rebbe always taught the idea that being Sameach BiChelko is not applicable in aspects of Kedusha,” explains Rabbi Mendy Greenbaum, who facilitated many of the sessions. “In Chinuch we can never be complacent. The job of a leader is to continually ensure that the Moisad is growing in the spirit of Halicha MiChayil el Chayil. In this program we are seeking to guide these aspiring leaders in planning their school’s growth and giving them the tools to implement that plan.”

Participants heard from a panel of senior Chabad principals, including Rabbi Hershel Lustig of Oholei Torah and Rabbi Yossi Simpson of ULY who discussed the challenges of leadership and the wisdom they have gained over the years. The principals were representative of the various Chabad schools’ support for this program and the partnership needed to successfully create a new generation of school leaders.

“Leadership sets the tone for what we expect out of our children’s Chinuch,” explains MEF director Rabbi Zalman Shneur. “When we build true leadership, the entire school and the entire community benefits.” Shneur says the investment in these future leaders will pay dividends in benefitting Chabad children around the world for years to come. With the high caliber of talent in the program and the commitment of top Chabad schools on board, Shneur is confident. “The people dedicated to our children’s Chinuch are amazing!”

The menahelim hail from some of Chabad’s largest and oldest schools, including three participants each from Oholei Torah and United Lubavitcher Yeshiva in Crown Heights. Other participating schools include Darchei Menachem, Cheder Chabad of Baltimore, Cheder Chabad of Philadelphia, Cheder Chabad of Monsey, Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh, and Torah Academy of Johannesburg, South Africa.