The Chabad School Leadership for Menahelim brought together 55 principals of boys schools from as far as South Africa, Argentina, and across the United States and Canada, for two packed days of learning, networking, inspiration and growth, on 5-6 Adar/February 22-23.
Facilitated by the Menachem Education Foundation (MEF) and hosted by Chabad of South Broward’s Agam Resort in Cooper City, FL, the program centered on building lasting connections with students.
Rabbi Shneur Wilhem, Boys’ Judaic Principal of Lubavitch Hebrew Academy of Margate, FL, opened the retreat with warm words of welcome at the networking brunch.
Rabbi Shimon Russell, LCSW, then led a five-hour leadership intensive session, where he addressed why so many children are not making it through the Yeshiva system and how to reverse the trend through building deep and lasting relationships with students, and school environments that allow every child to thrive.
The elegant Chinuch Banquet that evening honored the unending dedication of today’s Menahelim. Rabbi Pinny Andrusier, Shliach in S. Broward, FL, spoke about why he founded the TAG Yeshiva when he saw a need to open a Moisad that is accepting of every student. He emphasized the need for Moisdos to go back to what Chabad Chinuch is all about and expand their reach to accept more students.
Rabbi Amram Farkash, Menahel at Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon in Los Angeles gave a moving keynote address on the retreat’s theme of ונפשו קשורה בנפשו. He ended with practical ways for Menahelim to foster strong relationships with students so they feel supported and connected. The banquet was followed by a spirited fireside farbrengen, led by Rabbi Enan Francis of Torah Day School in Houston, TX, on the challenges, excitement and loneliness that comes from being in a position of leadership.
The second day of the program featured additional workshops and networking to bring home the ideas shared, beginning with an inspiring shiur of morning Chassidus with Rabbi Levi Kaplan, Principal of Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy. Rabbi Yossi Popack of Hebrew Academy Chabad Day School in Huntington Beach, CA, spoke about the fundamentals of connection and how to bring that to a school, with real stories and examples of how that plays out.
Menahelim had a chance to visit the local David Posnack Jewish Day school where they were graciously welcomed by the Head of School, Dr. Cuenca and Rabbi Shlomie Cohen, and learned about creating a culture where the school feels like family. Dr. Gill Perl concluded the programming with an informative presentation on building school culture.
“Thank you for all of the ideas that I could now bring to the far south,” shared Rabbi Dovid Orbach, Principal at Oholey Chinuch, who traveled all the way from Argentina for the leadership retreat.
The retreat ended with Menahelim sharing the messages and ideas that stood out to them, that they would be bringing to their schools the very next day, and signing a Pan Kloli informing the Rebbe of the success of the retreat along with requests for brachos for Hatzlacha in the Shlichus of Chinuch for the Menahelim who attended and beyond.
“The retreat reframed a lot of my thinking,” shared Rabbi Ahron Simon, Principal at Cheder Lubavitch in Dallas, TX, after the retreat. “It stretched me to approach things with new insight.”
“Thank you so much for a beautiful event that has already greatly enhanced our school,” Rabbi Avrumi Freeman, Principal of Cheder of the Bay Area, shared after returning from the retreat.
The Menachem Education Foundation looks forward to sharing more information on upcoming programs and events for educators, including a teacher training program for men and after Pesach and the Kinus Mechanchos Chabad this coming summer.
To find out more follow MEF on Instagram and Whatsapp Status and visit mymef.org.
I love R’ Shimon Russell! So glad our mechanchim are learning from him!!