Shluchim Online School Begins

With 932 students from 379 cities in 71 countries around the world, the Nigri International Shluchim Online School began their 11th year with new leadership positions.

This past week, students had orientation where they met their teachers. The 122 teachers in the school, teach classes on 5 time tracks and 2 different languages.

Since The Shluchim Office opened the online school a decade ago, it has grown and developed into one of the largest Lubavitch schools in the world. “But it is really the credit of the parents who live ‘out there’ on shlichus” said Rabbi Gedalya Shemtov, director of the Shluchim Office and founder of the school. “We are grateful to be able to play a role in their shlichus by providing the solution for not having to home-school or send young children away from home.”

“Even though these children are in far off and sometimes small cities all over the world, the chinuch they are receiving is on par with the best mosdos in Lubavitch” said Rabbi Yaakov Ringo, the older boys division principal. “Our goal is that when a talmid graduates from the online school he will be able to continue on to mesivta and then on to Yeshiva like a regular bachur,” he said.

At a special meeting for school parents, Rabbi Shmuel Lew, a veteran mechanech and member of the Hanhola of the Online School spoke of the importance of regular communication between parents and school administration, and the unique role that a parent should play in their children’s education.

Rabbi Lew pointed out that the social aspect that the online school provides young shluchim is so important, and shared a horaha the Rebbe gave to a parent saying that “kinder darfen kinder” meaning that children need to interact with other children. “Years ago, shluchim who home-schooled did not have this, but today with the online school, shluchim are not only getting chinuch, but also a chassidishe social environment with friendship.”  

Mrs. Malka Gurkow, the school principal told parents that “if there is something not working well for your child, or if something is working extremely well for your child, please let us know. Be in touch with your teachers, with the school, we want to hear from you often.”

Rabbi Moshe Shemtov, the director of the school thanked the parents for entrusting their children into the care of the online school and introduced the new boys principal, Rabbi Yaakov Ringo, and the new associate director, Devorah Leah Notik. “Each of them bring a burst of fresh energy, qualification and experience that will ensure the children get the best possible in the year to come,” Rabbi Shemtov said.

At the start of the school year, The Shluchim Office sent out packages of school book supplies and candies to the students, and a beautiful handbook to the parents. All teachers received a package with a new headset and mic. Special thanks to Rabbis Avraham Green and Yankie Rosenblum, and Ms. Devorah Soblick for going above and beyond in making all the necessary arrangements.