Melava Malka For Toronto Cheder

Although the temperatures in Toronto had dropped to well below freezing, the feeling last Motzei Shabbos was one of Chassidishe warmth.

Parents and community members joined for a Melave Malka celebrating the chinuch of our precious children.

The Melave Malka was arranged and generously sponsored by Oren and Neely Antebi, stalwarts of the community who are constantly looking for ways to benefit the Shmuel Zahavy Cheder Chabad school, and improve the boys’ learning experience.

It was dedicated to their father/father-in-law, Chaim ben Yosef OBM.

On the way into the hall, parents and community members were greeted by the “bringing learning to life” displays, creative 3D projects made by each class. From a display of Har Sinai to the Kosel Hamaaravi with pictures of each of the Pre 1A Kinderlach, the presentations were a taste of the exciting ways in which learning happens at Cheder Chabad.

The beautiful decor by Sara Fishman set the tone in the hall, with pictures of the Cheder yingelach as prominent centerpieces.

The warmth and joy of the atmosphere was a perfect introduction to the evening’s theme, “Creating a safe and loving Chassidishe home for our children.”

The evening began with Tehillim recited for their dear former principal Baruch Mordechai ben Chaya Esther and a precious Chayal in the school Chaim Shneur Zalman hakohen ben Chana Mala, may they both have a refuah shelaima ukrova.

The program began with a lively video highlighting “a day in the life of cheder”. The joy and chayus in the school hallways was palpable throughout the presentation.

The crowd was then addressed by Executive Director, Rabbi Yona Shur, whose commitment and hard work are the backbone of the Cheder and our dedicated principal, Rabbi Yisroel Bard-wigdor who is constantly striving to meet the needs of each boy and leads the incredible staff in helping each boy shine. Rabbi Bard-wigdor described the enhancements added to the school this year, constantly striving for more ways to upgrade the learning experience.

One of the highlights of the evening has become a tradition, the Cheder Chabad boys’ choir. The choir was ably led by Rabbi Weinfeld, a devoted Rebbi. How sweet were the pure voices of Chassidishe kinder singing nigunim in unison! What a pleasure to see their talents shine!

The speaker of the evening, renowned educator and beloved magid shiur Rabbi Nachman Yosef Twersky, expounded on the theme of bringing the joy of Yiddishkeit and Chasidus to our children.

Rabbi Twersky shared the story of a father who brought his child to Yechidus with no small measure of trepidation. This child was very weak in his learning and the father was afraid of the embarrassment he might feel before the Rebbe.

During the Yechidus, the Rebbe asked the child a very simple question that he answered easily, and then handed him an extra gift “for the tremendous nachas” he had given the Rebbe. “We can and must find a way to show every child how precious and valued he is,” Rabbi Twersky said.

Leaving the Melave Malka, one felt the pride of belonging to this beautiful Cheder Community. The air was filled with feelings of tremendous hakaras hatov for the devoted work of the Rebbeim and the general studies staff and the efforts of the never tiring mothers of the PTA who strive together to enhance the boys’ learning and growth as Chassidishe Chayolim of the Rebbe who will proudly lead the way to greet Moshiach.