By COLlive reporter
Photos: Aharon Gellis/COLlive
A beautiful new room for the teaching of Kriah – Hebrew reading was dedicated on Friday, 22 Elul, in memory of Rabbi Shmarya Katzen obm on his fourth Yartzeit, dedicated by his family.
The new classroom is located in the newly built wing of Lubavitcher Yeshiva of Crown Heights on Crown Street, and was dedicated on 22 Elul, the Yartzeit of Rabbi Katzen, a longtime beloved Pre-1A Rebbi who taught there for decades.
Rabbi Yosef Simpson – Principal, Rabbi Yossi Langsam , Rabbi Chaim Mayzlesh – Principal, and Rabbi Moshe Schwartz – a fellow teacher and close friend of Rabbi Katzen, were in attendance, along with Rabbi Katzen’s wife, Mrs. Rivka Katzen, and children and grandchildren.
At the beginning of the school year, all younger students will visit the room where they will be tested on their Hebrew reading fluency. Those that need extra help, will visit the room for private tutoring with experienced teachers who will work with them until they are up to their class level.
The Kriah room is set up in a unique way, with a number of enclosed cubicles to ensure privacy while learning. The unique setup of the room is thanks to Rabbi Katzen’s sensitivity towards all children, Rabbi Chaim Mayzelesh noted.
“Rabbi Katzen always made sure that kids that needed remedial tutoring were not being tutored where many other kids could see them,” he said. “He worried that it would cause them embarrassment.”
Rabbi Yosef Simpson remarked that the new Kriah room truly exemplifies what Rabbi Katzen was all about.
“This room is very unique because it identifies every single student, including those who need special attention,” Rabbi Simpson said. “If I need to describe Rabbi Katzen, that’s what he always did – he looked after every single talmid.”
Rabbi Simpson remarked that during recess time, instead of taking a much-deserved break, Rabbi Katzen would use the time to practice reading with the children.
“A kriah room is really a reflection of Rabbi Katzen. Every single Talmid is special, and every single talmid can – and does – succeed,” he said.
VIDEO:
Rabbi Katzen was a true Rebbe.
I was lucky to have 3 sons in his class.
He epitomizes what a difference an educator can make in our childs lives.
Rabbi Shmaryahu Katzen, beloved teacher and mechanech.
A true Chossid.