This year’s Kinus HaMechanchim attracted Chabad educators from all across the world. Veterans and “first-timers”— the diverse group of participants basked in the warm, uplifting atmosphere where they absorbed info, guidance, and chizuk. Away from all distractions, they lived “chinuch” for two days.
Outstanding professionals and revered mashpi’im presented both sides of the challenge our mosdos face – struggling to inculcate true yiras shamayim and love of Torah, mitzvoth, and Chassidus, starting in the child’s earliest years; while catering to individual differences in character, ability and needs. The former was addressed by Rabbis Aharon D. Gancz and Nachman Twersky; the latter by Drs. David Pelcovitz and Norman Goldwasser.
“We all come away with new insights and ideas besides the great dibuk chaverim [camaraderie] which prevails,” said Rabbi Yehuda Schmuckler, headmaster of Yeshiva College and Beth Rivka in Melbourne, Australia.
Rabbi Yehushua Lustig, principal at Oholei Menachem in Crown Heights, was overwhelmed at the quality of the presentations and workshops which continued until late into Monday night, then into Tuesday. “We’re all exhausted,” he said.
Dr. Pelcovitz thoroughly enjoyed presenting to our mechanchim because, he said, “they let nothing get by. They challenge, they ask, they contribute. I come away feeling that here my sessions really make a difference.”
“I felt that I was speaking to the very best and most dedicated within the Chabad world, Lubavitch of Lubavitch,” commented Rabbi Twersky.
At the Kinus, there was no such thing as a gratuitous speech. Nor was there any frivolous discussion. Everything remained faithful to the overall theme; every issue was approached from a variety of perspectives. At mealtime, hallways between sessions or after hours – everything spoken was meaningful and ultimately productive.
“I’m inspired just watching my colleagues and experiencing the enthusiasm for what we do,” said Rabbi Shneur Wilhelm, principal of Maimonides in Portland, Oregon. “That in and of itself makes this an unbelievable opportunity.”
Highlights included special sessions for mechanchim in primary, middle, and upper grades; two seminars for principals; double session by Kriyah (Hebrew reading) expert Rabbi Mendel Heidingsfeld; and a series of “best practice” presentations by young star mechanchim such as Rabbis Chanaya Hoffinger, Boruch Kaplan, and Yosef Susskind. At the conclusion of the final sessions, Rabbi Nochem Kaplan, Director of Merkos Chinuch (which organized the conference), was asked about a possible series of regional “mini-Kinusim” throughout the year.
Rabbi Avrohom Wolowik, conference chairman, thanked the Vaad HaKinus who worked day and night to make the conference a resounding success: Rabbi Yosef Chaiton, Portland, Oregon; Rabbi Menachem M. Greenbaum, Los Angeles; Rabbi Zalman Twersky, Chicago; Rabbi Mendy Levin, Philadelphia; Rabbi Moshe Rodman, Las Vegas; Rabbi Yaakov Scheinberger, Coral Springs; Rabbi Yehoshua Lustig, Brooklyn; Rabbi Baruch Kaplan, Connecticut; Rabbi Menachem Kirschenbaum, Brooklyn, NY
We would be very interested to have recordings of the sessions.
Any possibilities ?
In Danbury, CT
If I see in one of these pictures a teacher who I believe is a little abusive In his classroom does this conference teach them how to deal with children or just how to teach. Even though I don’t believe a conference could actually change an attitude that someone has their DNA. But all in all I hope it will have a good impact for the coming Years.
With such high profile individuals unfortunately the location will remain unknown. For security reasons.
does anyone know where this was held ??
Rabbi Rodman is an incredible mechanech. I have personally witnessed former students of his, having been out of his class for 15+ years, run over to say hello and that him for the amazing impact he has had on their lives.