This past week, Cheder Oholei Yosef Yitzchok Lubavitch in Crown Heights celebrated its 15th annual Chag HaSiyum – a vibrant, meaningful gathering that brought together families, staff, and students to mark a year of remarkable growth, dedication, and connection to the Rebbe’s vision for chinuch.
The event opened with Rabbi Mottel Schneiderman, Co-Founder and Director of OYYL, who led the recital of the Rebbe’s Kapitel and shared stirring words about the centrality of Ahavas Yisroel in education.
“When we ask ourselves what our talmidim need,” he said, “we must begin with love – the spirit of Ahavas Yisroel must be the foundation of how we teach, how we reach, and how we lead. The Rebbe teaches that it is through unconditional love and unity among Yidden that we will merit the ultimate Geulah. Our cheder is not only a place of learning but a living space for preparing ourselves and our children for Moshiach, one interaction, one heart, one child at a time.”
He thanked Hashem and the Rebbe for entrusting this sacred Shlichus to the school, and expressed deep gratitude to the devoted staff, engaged parents, and precious talmidim and talmidos who together make OYYL what it is.
One of the most uplifting moments came when the children themselves stood proudly and recited pesukim, their voices echoing with clarity and confidence – a living testimony to the chayus they receive in their learning.
Afterward, all staff received heartfelt appreciation gifts, and every student was honored with a certificate and a presents. As is the cheder’s cherished minhag, each child received the sifrei limud they will be learning in the coming year, infusing them with excitement and readiness to keep climbing in their Torah journey.
Mrs. Mila Schneiderman, Co-Founder and Director, addressed the gathered community with moving words that blended vision, pride, and empowerment. She explained that at OYYL, every student “graduates” each year – because every milestone is worth celebrating. “By honoring the progress of every child every year,” she said, “we show them that growth is not just expected – it’s cherished. This gives our children the motivation and strength to keep striving.”
She then emphasized the deep value of concluding with kavana – not as an end, but as an opening. “A siyum is not just a closure,” she shared, “it is an opportunity to reflect, recalibrate, and prepare for a new beginning – one that is deeper, stronger, and more aligned with our personal avodah.”
She went on to share a powerful teaching from the Rebbe – a letter in which the Rebbe explained the meaning of Lechatchila Ariber – how one must approach a challenge as if they’ve already risen above it. The Rebbe instructed someone seeking healing to envision themselves as already healed, to feel the simchah of that state – and that joy itself would be the keili to draw the healing into reality.
“This is not just a concept,” Mila added. “It is the story of our cheder. From its earliest days, OYYL was built in the spirit of Lechatchila Ariber – daring to create something new, holy, and bold – even when it seemed impossible. And today, we are seeing the fruits of that vision.”
As the celebration continued, the joy overflowed. The children were treated to delicious ice cream and cotton candy, lovingly prepared by the older classes. The younger students looked on in awe – their older peers now stepping into roles of leadership and responsibility with warmth and pride.
After the main program, the celebration flowed into hands-on creative activities. The girls created stunning flower arrangements, an expression of Tiferes – inner beauty, harmony, and expression. The boys constructed models of the Beis Hamikdash, each according to their age and ability, drawing deep personal connection to the days of Bein HaMetzarim.
Throughout the event, a palpable sense of achdus filled the air – a Cheder Community not only gathered, but truly united in purpose, values, and joy.
Among the many parents in attendance, several shared emotional reflections:
“The Chag HaSiyum today was absolutely beautiful,” said Zik Family. “We so appreciate the infusion of Chassidus and the Rebbe’s teachings into our children’s everyday lives. OYYL really shows us the way.”
Spivak Family shared: “We were deeply moved by the message of ‘Lechatchila Ariber.’ We’re blessed that our daughter has a teacher who is so nurturing and devoted – it’s truly a gift.”
The Gewirtz family expressed: “As the Rebbe taught, chinuch must not be limited to knowledge – it must cultivate yiras Shamayim and Ahavas Yisroel. At OYYL, this is not theory – it’s lived. We see it in our children, in their davening, in their middos, in their joy.”
And Pil Family shared: “It was a pleasure to send our daughter to OYYL’s preschool. The Morahs noticed the details and made sure she was always cared for. That’s something rare and precious.”
Oholei Yosef Yitzchok Lubavitch is a pioneering Cheder al Taharas Hakodesh, serving boys and girls ages 2–13, and is known for its innovative integration of open-classroom skill- based learning and the Nurtured Heart Approach. With a foundation in the teachings of the Rebbe, and a warm, growth-focused environment, OYYL is cultivating a young generation of Chassidim who learn Torah with chayus, daven with heart, and live with purpose.
For more information about the Cheder, please contact:
646-450-4770
[email protected]
www.OYYL.org
May the accomplishments of these young talmidim bring nachas to the Rebbe, to their families, and to Klal Yisroel. May we continue to educate children in the spirit of Geulah — with simchah, with kedushah, and with a heart full of Ahavas Yisroel — Teikef U’Miyad Mamash.
All the kids got beside their diplomas ,a hard book cover book with color pictures from the whole year and other things too.
The ice cream and cotton candy made deliciously sweet ending to an enjoyable year
Thank you More Mila, Morah Sophia,and all the staff! Thank you to everybody who made it such a enjoyable and happy place that my daughter looks forward to everyday
“A child’s education must not be limited to the acquisition of knowledge alone. It must also include the development of good character, fear of Heaven, and love of one’s fellow.” — The Lubavitcher Rebbe — As the Rebbe so wisely taught: “A child’s education must not be limited to the acquisition of knowledge alone. It must also include the development of good character, fear of Heaven, and love of one’s fellow.” We are privileged that our son is learning in an environment where this ideal is lived daily — where the teachers model not only Torah learning, but heartfelt tefillah… Read more »
As usual, the school went above and beyond to organize a special and fun event for the students and their families with crafts, cotton candy, ice cream, gift bags, and community. Our son loves reviewing the Aleph-Beis from the book that the preschool boys were gifted. He has grown so much during this past year at OYYL, and that is largely due to the school’s caring and talented teachers and staff.