Miami 8th Graders Memorize Maamar, Earn Day by the Rebbe

After weeks of memorizing the Rebbe’s maamar V’atah Tetzaveh by heart, a class of eighth-grade boys from Miami’s Lubavitch Educational Center traveled to New York for a full day of connection and inspiration at the Rebbe’s Ohel, 770, and other meaningful locations in Crown Heights.

For educators today, inspiring the next generation comes with unique challenges. In a world filled with constant distractions and the pull of social media, teachers are constantly searching for ways to help students develop a genuine connection to Torah and Yiddishkeit.

At LEC, one eighth-grade class experienced just such an opportunity through an initiative led by their Cheder Chassidus teacher, Rabbi Sholom Davidsohn.

Now in his third year teaching at LEC, Rabbi Davidsohn believes that today’s children need more encouragement, warmth, and inspiration than ever before.

“Children today are surrounded by many outside influences,” he said. “They need us to invest in them with tremendous care, positivity, and meaningful incentives that make Torah learning exciting and enjoyable.”

Rabbi Davidsohn challenged his students to memorize the entire maamar V’atah Tetzaveh over six weeks and be tested on it by heart. As a reward, those who succeeded would travel with him to New York for a day dedicated to the Rebbe in honor of Yud Alef Nissan.

The boys rose to the challenge with enthusiasm, spending weeks reviewing, memorizing, and internalizing the maamar.

This year, every boy in the class earned the reward. Two students, Shea Korf and Shmuel Elkayam, went even further, summarizing the entire maamar in English to help others better understand it.

Organizing such a trip required significant effort, including fundraising, planning, and coordinating travel, but for Rabbi Davidsohn, the investment was well worth it.

The boys visited the Ohel, 770, the Rebbe’s room, and the Rebbe’s library, drawing inspiration at every stop.

Before going into the Ohel, they were surprised during their Chassidus class by a special visit from renowned lecturer and author Rabbi Shais Taub, who engaged them in a thoughtful discussion on the maamar. He asked questions and encouraged them to think deeply about the Rebbe’s message—understanding who we are as Yidden and what it means to be connected to the Rebbe, the Nosi Hador.

At the WLCC room, Rabbi Chaim Boruch Halberstam presented a meaningful gift to those able to speak with him in Yiddish—one of the stamps the Rebbe had kept from the many letters he received.

Later, Rabbi Krinsky personally welcomed the boys and gave them a private tour of the Rebbe’s home, including a special look inside the garage where they saw the Rebbe’s car.

Lunch at Mozzarella and dinner from Mendy’s Restaurant helped close out the packed and memorable day.

LEC expressed appreciation to the generous sponsors who made the trip possible, as well as to chaperone Rabbi Tzvi Schwartz for accompanying the group.

Rabbi Davidsohn also thanked the boys’ middle school division head at LEC, Rabbi Yakov Garfinkel, for his encouragement and support.

“When I first approached Rabbi Garfinkel with the idea of flying 25 boys to New York for a day of spiritual connection as a reward,” Rabbi Davidsohn said, “his response was immediate: ‘Do it.’”

For Rabbi Davidsohn and his class, the results speak for themselves.

A group of eighth-grade boys didn’t just learn a maamar of the Rebbe—they internalized it, lived it, and strengthened a connection that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.