As Lamplighters Yeshivah Closes its Doors, Founder Bids Farewell

By Yocheved Sidof

Ten years since its inception, Lamplighters Yeshivah closed its doors this week.

Sitting at our dining room table over a decade ago with other young, pioneering families, I never imagined we would build something so miraculous together. While I, and our broader Lamplighters family, bear much pain and grief now, I am proud of the community we nourished together, our courage to dream, our steadfast commitment to our children– and the difference we made that will please G-d reverberate, forever.

With Hashem’s blessings and the Rebbe’s guidance, we educated close to 200 students from across the five boroughs and Long Island, from age three through Mesivta. We hosted hundreds and hundreds of educators and school leaders, from Chabad Houses, local schools, universities, training programs and Montessori schools across the Jewish community and beyond who came to observe our classes, learn about our model and reimagine education, together. Our educators created and tested curriculum now used in tens and tens of schools across the country, Israel and Europe. Our school grew through nine different locations around the neighborhood, from one floor in a brownstone on Eastern Parkway to a large school building with room to grow. With a broad, diverse base of generous partners, we raised over $4.5 million dollars to support our work, hosting innovative galas and breaking records on seven crowdfunding campaigns. From the beginning, Lamplighters was a grassroots, contagious movement that captured the souls and dreams of people everywhere.

What went wrong? I’m not sure there is one answer. Surely, there are many lessons to learn. Hopefully we can pass along those learnings — the successes and the failures — to others.

I feel blessed I had the z’chus to lead such a vital organization in Crown Heights for close to ten years. I believe in this community and our power to not only affect change, as Lubavitchers, across the world, but to elevate and revitalize our own community as well– our schools, shuls, local organizations and more. Chabad’s creativity, compassion and unconditional acceptance need not only be reserved for our brothers and sisters across the world. Our own community members at home need that, too.

So much has changed in the past ten years since we founded Lamplighters. There are new schools. New programs within our larger, more established schools. Greater awareness and acceptance of children with unique learning styles and our imperative to accommodate them. Issues that were swept under the rug for so long have to come to the surface– addiction, child sexual abuse, mental health awareness, suicide prevention and more. As a community, it is imperative that we recognize our “wins”– yet we must accept there is still so much work to be done. And it’s up to all of us.

A few weeks ago, a number of “smaller” Crown Heights schools came together in a crowdfunding campaign to bring much needed financial support and awareness to their schools– individually and collectively. I say “small” because, really, no school is small. As long as a group of educators, parents, and funders come together to nourish our most important and vulnerable asset, our beloved children, their work is never considered small. It is, by definition, the most vital, praiseworthy, illustrious work. Teachers, and the administrators that support their work, deserve the most support in any community. And larger communities, like Crown Heights, need “small” schools. These schools are more nimble. In some ways, they have the ability to be more innovative. They give parents more choices, which only elevates the playing field across the neighborhood and encourages bigger or more established schools to keep refining their educational offerings. I believe our work at Lamplighters did this for the Crown Heights community and many others across the world. I pray for the continued success of our schools — big or small, traditional or progressive — and I remain a strong advocate and partner. They hold our most precious treasures. Please handle each with care.

Over the years, I’ve heard many, many stories– from frustrated parents desperately seeking a unique learning environment for their child who was misunderstood or marginalized; hopeful, compassionate educators exploring dynamic ways to engage their students; and wistful funders who became teary eyed as they observed classes at Lamplighters, contrasting so sharply with their own learning experiences as children. Stories of pain. Stories of hope.

Two such stories stand out. Once, I was giving a tour to an elderly lady. She is the editor of a prominent Jewish publication and took an interest in our work. She was so impressed by what she saw in the classrooms. Mostly, she was moved by what she observed in the hallways. “That Rebbe was so kind with that young child, even though he was running around. No anger or frustration in his voice at all! What a thing!” She went on to tell me about her own experiences in school, so many years ago. “My parents sent me to a small, warm, out-of-the-box school when I was in middle school. It was only for a couple years. I don’t remember much about the other schools I went to… But I remember that small school. I still remember the love. I still feel special every time I remember those years.” We don’t know the power of time spent lovingly with our children and students. Even a few years can impact a person for decades and decades to come.

Another moment I carry is a conversation I once had with a young student. They were recounting an entrance interview they had at another school. “They were only interested in what I learnt, where I was up to in Chumash. They didn’t even ask me about my life.”

Lamplighters was never about Jewish Montessori or an innovative model or cameras in the classrooms or creative Charidy campaigns. Lamplighters was, and always will be, about the mandate we have to care deeply about the whole life of each person, in all their nuance and complexity. It’s about the power of loving a child and Trust as the greatest commodity. It’s about creating an environment where every person is and feels truly seen– because the cost of our children feeling invisible, of having to hide, is just too high.

I want to thank our Lamplighters parents who trusted us with their children all these years. Each of you, in your own way, are so courageous and brave. You chose a different, less predictable path. You chose the longer, shorter way. You were invested, curious and compassionate. And even when we did not see eye-to-eye, even when you wanted something different for your child, you remained unwavering in your support for the cause. I have deep love, respect and gratitude for each one of you. May your sweet, sweet children give us all so much Nachas.

To the educational leaders we worked with throughout the years: Devorah Kessler, whose child-centric afternoon program and vision for al pi darko education in Crown Heights were the sparks that lit the flame of Lamplighters’ torch back in 2009. Your courage to “jump into the sea” with us will forever be an inspiration. And to Rivkah and Moshe Schack— thank you for your years of dedication. Every detail of your work held a revolutionary spirit and expressed a deep belief in the potential of every child and teacher you educated and cared for. Your powerful contributions made a difference in the lives of many.

To our board members over the years who invested countless hours until the final moments, committed and supportive. Thank you for your care and advocacy, even when the work was thankless.

To our funders, large and small, who believed in our mission and always pushed us to get better– thank you. Many of you have become trusted friends and advisors. Thank you for always being there and encouraging me. Crown Heights is not a community that is sustained by a few wealthy individuals. It literally takes a village to support the myriads of programs here. Please continue to invest in our community. Please continue to see the promise here.

A special thank you to Eli Nash. Through thick and thin, through glory and upset, you stayed in the pocket– honest, committed and brave. Even now, when the work is gritty and difficult, you show integrity, generosity and leadership. May you have a deep sense of fulfillment from all your passions and immeasurable nachas from your beautiful family and many Lamplighters children.

I had the privilege of working with some of the most talented, heart-centered, hard-working, visionary educators in the world. To the Lamplighters teachers and administrators over the years, I am filled with awe and gratitude. Even during the last few, very hard years, even as the school owed you money, you stood by your students and continued to invest your all, even when it became next to impossible. May you be blessed with revealed good and continued opportunities to impact the world of Jewish education in meaningful, authentic, illuminated ways. You are now leading the next generation of skilled, talented, creative, responsive mechanchim. Wherever you go, you will embody the Lamplighters spirit.

This week was the eighth grade graduation at Lamplighters– the final event at our school building. My son is in that class, my sweet boy who inspired this dream. Yaakov Shapiro, co-founder of Lamplighters, shared some poignant words: “Yaakov Avinu lo meis– mah zar’oh b’chaim, af hu b’chaim. The life of a tzadik is not his physical body, but his Torah study, mitzvah observance, and good deeds. Therefore, so long as his descendants continue in his path, he ‘lives’ forever. So too, a school. A school is not defined by walls or floors or desks or white boards, but by the education that enters the minds and hearts of its students, which they then carry forward into their personal lives and individual spheres of influence. So even when there may no longer be a building or entity called Lamplighters Yeshivah, as long as you, our students, go out into the world proudly living the mission you have learned here, Lamplighters lives on forever — through you.”

Our students, our children, are the Torchbearers, holding the torch high. You are confident and kind, soulful and respectful– qualities that forever outlast facts and figures. Your flame will only grow brighter, its light emanating ever farther. We believe in you. We love you. And sooner than you might expect, others will look to you to lead the way.