By COLlive reporter
Photos by Shmuel Amit
Close to 250 Lubavitch mechanchos, teachers, and educators gathered for the Kinus Mechanchie Chabad, a two-day convention in Crown Heights to learn and sharpen their skills, network and inspire one another.
This special kinus last week was planned by over 30 educators on a committee chaired by Mrs. Shana Teichtel and coordinated and organized by the Menachem Education Foundation (MEF).
The highlight of the women’s convention was a banquet on Wednesday evening. Educators heard inspiring words from author and educator Mrs. Malka Touger.
Participants also signed a ‘Pan Klali’ letter asking the Rebbe for brochos in their holy Shlichus of Chinuch.
The Chinuch Award was awarded to Mrs. Devorah Leah Smith, teacher of grades 9-12 at Beis Chana school for girls in Miami, Florida. She was praised for being available for students, allowing them to call or text her when help is needed and even staying during breaks to help specific students.
A devoted Mechaneches, Mrs. Smith strives to develop a personal relationship with each student and voluntarily hosts Shabbattonim in her home for each grade.
“A personal advocate for her students, Mrs. Smith goes out of her way to help them get accepted to seminary and has even fundraised for girls’ seminary tuition when needed,” it was said about her.
Over the two day convention, Mechanchos chose from over 50 workshops. Speakers included Rabbi Shais Taub, Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Rabbi Yossi Paltiel, Rabbi Yossi Rosenblum, Mrs. Sara Rosenfeld, Mrs. Chaya Teldon, amongst many others.
“The hardest part about the convention was choosing the workshops to attend!” exclaimed many of the participants.
“After a year’s break from the classroom, this convention gave me the boost I needed to step back into my role as a Mechanech” Said Mrs. Nechama Tauber from Miami, Florida.
Looking good!
Devorah Leah, we are beyond proud of this well deserved honor! You have always made it seem so easy! Thank you for all you give our girls!
Thank you to Chana Rose and the Menachem Foundation for an inspiring convention! May we all be zocheh to bring up the next generation of chassidishe kinderlech!
Fellow Floridians are so proud of her, yay Devorah Leah.
Wow. This makes me so happy. Mrs Smith taught me for four years in beis chana Miami!!! She’s a real gem. If all teachers were like her!!! It is to her credit that I know yiddish and can learn a sicha on my own. The skills she taught have been used and resued when I have brought them into my on classroom. But most importantly she really cared. She showed me and the rest of my classmates just how much she valued each and every one of us. She pushed us when nessecary. She took so much time after school… Read more »
Also an amazing and caring Rebbi!
Having Mrs. Smith as a teacher was an experience never to be forgotten, and that last a lifelong impression on me. I am sooo soo happy to see that she won!
She goes way above and beyond “the teaching in a classroom.”
Her love, care, devotion, connection to each student (even out of the classroom setting), & the way that she teaches with such clarity she deserves it each bit!!
Mrs. Smith thank you so much!
We all would not be here if not for u.
As a parent of one of Mrs. Smith’s students, I can attest to the care and concern she has for her students. She is a great dugma and so relatable to her students. She also inspires, encourages and supports her students in their learning and understanding!! Thank you Mrs. Smith
This program looks so beautiful! Kudos to the wonderful people and to all who made this program possible.
And to Mrs Smith, how lucky are her students
You really deserved the award!! Mazel Tov!! So happy for you!
Mrs. Smith was my teacher many years ago, and yet I still remember so much of what she taught me! Her dedication to her students is unbelievable, and she is able to relate to them! Deserving of the prize 100%! Mazal tov!