By Rena Udkoff
On Rosh Chodesh Kislev, one hundred and twenty educators gathered in Crown Heights for a celebration organized by the Menachem Education Foundation.
The annual event, coordinated to coincide with the Kinus Hashluchim weekend, marks a time for teachers to get together with their similar minded peers and celebrate one particular kind of shlichus: education.
The event’s purpose was to celebrate, encourage and inspire mechanchim in the vital work that they do and acknowledge that their unique shlichus is valued and appreciated.
“At MEF we constantly strive to show teachers how much they matter,” explains Rabbi Zalman Shneur, Executive Director of the Menachem Foundation. They accomplish this goal through a variety of events and peulos that bolster the message that chinuch is one of the truest forms of shlichus that exist today.
“By demonstrating the importance of quality educators and their innate value in our communities, we are encouraging our best to stay here and invest in our future generations,” says Shneur. “Chinuch is not a job for just anyone. The people who stand in front of the classroom every day should be those who truly care for it and are passionate about education.”
The attendees are part of MEF’s extensive network of affiliates, comprised of supporters and educators who are bringing the highest quality of educational training and innovation into our schools.
To remind them of the value of work in chinuch, the audience watched a specially compiled video about the long term impact associated with the education of children. The video displayed several stories of people whose lives were changed forever by one special educator.
The crowd also heard from the keynote speaker, Rabbi Gluckowsky, on a teacher’s important role inside and outside the classroom, and how one can positively impact a young student’s future. He also highlighted the ideals of professionalism, and encouraged the attendees never to stop developing their skills and putting effort into enhancing their students’ educational experience.
During the event, one outstanding teacher was presented with the annual Eisenberg Award for excellence in education. This year’s monetary prize was given to Rabbi Yehoshua Einbinder, a 4th grade teacher at Darchai Menachem and alumnus of MEF’s Teacher Induction Program of 5772.
The program was emceed by Rabbi Zalman Raskin, a MEF alumnus who currently teaches in Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh. The event’s details – including a lavish milchig lunch, attractive setup, and gift of a sefer for attendees – were organized by Ms. Shaina Shagalow and the rest of the MEF team to give mechanchim the most positive and uplifting experience possible.
The unanimous feedback was gratitude for the continued show of support for an often thankless profession.
Participants described the event as “elegant,” “uplifting” and “more beautiful than words.” Rabbi Moshe Wircberg, a 3rd grade teacher at United Lubavitch Yeshiva, said that “it’s these types of events that give us chizuk to continue!”
All of the educators left recommitted to the goal of chinuch, and felt a renewed sense of purpose, pride and solidarity in their shlichus.
To find out more about the Menachem Education Foundation, visit www.MyMef.org.
Rabbi Farkash was my techer also and he changed my life forever best teacher in OT by far
nice you are a grate teacher i see nice job
He was my teacher too! He had a way of teaching the “birchas Yaakov” –
I remember it until this day! That tune and the energy he put into it!
he was also my teacher and i still have meaining full lessons from him
we are hounerd to have rabbi farkash as our father and could only wish there were more
Go rabbi raskin you were the best teacher ever
YASHAMURA!!! BINDER!!!
This is who he is. This is who he was. And this is who he will always be. The one who puts himself aside even for the small details of others. Ta we are very proud of you and we are HONORED to be your children 😘😘😘
Such a tremendous person. A great influence and friend to all who know him. I feel bad my children will not have him as a teacher.
What an unbelievable individual – if only we had more like him…
A Tzadik!
What an amazing teacher!
Devoted dedicated, thinks about each individual Bochur!
He is a living example of the Klalei Hachinuch V’Hadracha!
Kudos to his brother and his amazing staff, as well as his special parents
What an inspiration Rabbi Shneur is to all mechanchim.
Keep up your holy work!
Our children are entitled to have good teachers, Rebbies and Mechanchim who mold their lives forever!!!!!
Chinuch is about personal connections, not how much material is covered. I was so touched by your story!
Rabbi Einbinder is a phenomenal teacher that is so dedicated and truly cares. Cares for the child and cares for the learning. Keep up the great work!
wish he could have been my teacher he is the greatest!
Rabbi Einbeinder is not only an excellent mechanech, but a wonderful role model for all his students. Mazal Tov-
Shira Frank
Rabbi FIler!! go go and Rabbi Shpigelman Rabbi Schapiro Rabbi Goldman these Rebbes really care for the student 🙂
Thank you
Yay, Shua. Keep up the great work. We are extremely proud of you. yasher Koach.
Yoec is yoec ONLY bc of you.
Wow, can’t wait to see for women too!
We are so proud of you! You are a truely dedicated teacher! You put in the time the energy and effort it takes and it shows!
As a grandchild I learn so much chinuch and things from you Saba. You inspire me and all your other grandchildren too.
I love you.
Love
Chaya spalter
We love you
We admire you
We need mechanchim like you
We all appreciate you
My sons were changed forever !
Ty for all your chinuch – by example alone !!
You need to start giving more courses to the teachers out there. You have to share your expertise !
Mechanech par excellence
Unique and one of a kind
Continued Brachos and energy to him till 120
If I would have known the nosh and food was going to be this good, I would have attended.
Where’s the video clip for rabbi Einbinder?
Fishel oster
my older son now in Zal had an amazing year with Rabbi Dovid Levin he left an ever lasting impression on my son thank you Rabbi Levin
My other son now in 8th grade had a wonderful year with rabbi Raskin of fifth grade Thank you Rabbi Raskin!
Rabbi Oster of Zal is a wonderful example of a true Chossid , Lamdin , and Yiras Shumim Thank you for inspiring our boys
Rabbi Raskin is still my sons favorite Rebbe
Beautiful inspiring story! knowing Velvel Farkash it doesn’t surprise me at all.
Way to go Rabbi Silbur, keep up the great work. Best teacher trainer ever.
You are the best uncle after Nachman love chana eli t Efi Menachem Mendel
to these dedicated teachers and the m.e.f. for supporting them with such high regard
He is also the best Counsllor anyone could have!!
Best summer of my life was with Shua!
Best teacher as well, always fun and exciting!
Thank you Shua!!!
and best uncle
I have heard of him being a gr8 teacher. Well done.
Keep up ur good work.
I second what was said in the video. Rabbi Levin had a special way with us. The way I turned out is a direct result of him. I’m forever thankful and greatly indebted to him, forever. Nechemya, couldn’t have said it myself!
I have seen again and again this caring teacher give of himself to students!!!
He had such a great following in Columbus , Ohio of all types of kids from mamish all backgrounds!!!
Lubavitch needs more teachers like him!!
One of the best (and underappreciated) people we have in Lubavitch and giving the Rebbe tons of nachas! He deserves all our support, and more…!