By lubavitch.com
Photos by Menachem Kozlovsky
Recipients of a Chabad educational grant program that will open new preschools in the U.S. met Wednesday with Mr. David Slager, the philanthropist underwriting the $5 million preschool initiative by the Machne Israel Development Fund.
The meeting, at Chabad of the Upper West Side, followed a two-day educators’ conference coordinated by The Merkos Chinuch Office.
Rabbi Nochem Kaplan chair of the MIDF education committee organized the first in a series of educational seminars sponsored by the Slager initiative, together with Early Childhood Initiative advisory board members Mrs. Batya Lisker, Mrs. Perel Stroh and Mrs. Devorah Krasnianski.
Established in April, the MIDF Early Childhood Initiative has so far disbursed funding to eighteen Chabad centers across the United States, among them some of which will be opening new preschools, others that will expand existing preschools with additional classes that will allow for greater enrollment.
“The day we received the phone call informing us we were approved for a grant was a major milestone in our work. Now Jewish children in our area who would otherwise be in non-Jewish preschools will have an opportunity to learn and experience authentic Judaism,” said Elana Kornfeld of Burbank, CA, speaking at the luncheon.
Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, Chairman of the educational and social services divisions of Chabad-Lubavitch, offered his appreciation for Mr. David and Lara Slager, who have made Jewish education their passion.
Speaking of his own experience, Mr. Slager told the guests that the excitement for yiddishkeit that he and his wife saw when his own children attended the Chabad Early Learning Center at Chabad of the Upper West Side, “lit-up his whole family.”
“This will hopefully be replicated in thousands of Jewish homes.”
Rabbi Krinsky recalled the Rebbe’s focus on Jewish children, and the emphasis he placed on providing them with a rich and joyful early childhood Jewish experience. He pointed to the numerous occasions the Rebbe used to meet, address and bless children. “This interaction is unique to a world leader.”
Among the grant recipients are, Rabbis and Rebbetzin: Shmuel and Elana Kornfeld in Burbank and Mendel and Rivkah Cunin in Los Angeles, CA; Avraham and Hindy Mintz in Lone Tree and Dovid and Doba Mintz in Vail, CO; Moshe and Rivkah Denburg in Boca Raton, Hershy and Chanie Bronstein in Coral Springs, Mendy and Nechama Dina Tennenhaus in Hallandale, Alexander and Chani Kaller in Sunny Isles, Yisroel and Leah Spalter in Weston, FL; Yaakov and Devorah Halperin in Allentown, PA; Boruch Sholom and Frumy Labkowski in Frederick, MD; Chaim and Chavie Bruk in Bozeman, MT; Yisroel and Chani Cotlar in Cary, NC; Levi and Goldie Azimov in North Brunswick, NJ; Asher and Dina Hect in South Padre Island and Chaim and Rivkie Block in San Antonio, TX; Yisroel and Chaya Sara Hahn in Spokane, and Shmulik and Tzivie Greenberg in Vancouver, WA.
The event was hosted by Rabbi Shlomo Kugel, executive director of Chabad of the West Side, and his colleagues, Rabbi Meir Ossey, associate director, and Rabbi Yisroel Fried, program director.
Also participating at the luncheon from the Machne Israel Development Fund was Rabbi Shmaya Krinsky, co-director of the Machne Israel Development Fund, and Rabbi Yosef B. Friedman who presented Mr. Slager with The Educator’s Privilege, a newly released collection of insights by the Rebbe on the privileges of engaging in the educational calling.
Number 25 – I do not know if Israel was considered or not, and if not why not, but I do know that all the shluchos who received the grant are required to attend ongoing education seminars by Pearl Stroh and the other educators at Chabad of the West Side. This may be part of the reason.
Great thanks to the Slagers for their generosity!! Mazel Tov to Mrs. Lisker & others for helping to obtain this vital support for Jewish education!
Mr Slager you help us so much in our Chabad house bli ayin hara.
Chayil el Chayil!!
You put in so much in all this and the credit goes…
Hashem knows!
Your efforts have accomplished so much! We enjoy watching all you continue to achieve. You’re amazing!
You’re as capable, organized and efficient as always! Such talent.
sis
Though there were applications from the Holy Land, I don’t see that they received any grants. Could it be that Israel was not even considered?
Great to have you back in the ‘hood Batya.
I think this is probably a new process for you. When you apply for a grant you don’t necessarily get approved immediately hence the lack of committal. When you followed up they told you you could reapply next year….. that was your follow up. What were you waiting for after that? Lets not air our disappointed attitudes in public. Oh by the way, I too wasn’t approved this year but fully understand. If your looking for handouts and entitlements, vote democrat in this years election 🙂
keep up your great work!
from toronto
BH
Relax! Yes I did follow up and was told also that I could reapply next year. However, 17 said that they followed up with them, etc.
All I said was that I got no follow up at all. And even my own follow up was greeted very non-commitally.
I wasn’t even complaining, just stating a fact.
HHHMMMMM!!!! What got you so angry?!
Why are there always people like you? The grant application deadline was only 8 weeks ago. Why jump the gun and complain already about lack of correspondence? Did you ever call them to ask if they received your application or to make sure they have everything they need? I am sure there were many many applications. If you don’t care enough to follow up on your own application…… Not everyone can be approved at once but as far as I am concerned I hope you are not approved at all. I too applied and have followed up on the status… Read more »
BH
Mazel Tov to all the grant recipients. May they use it in good health.
We did not get it! But we also never got a single bit of correspondence from the MIDF that they a) received our app. b) were working on it c) that we did not get it and d) any reason why (like a scoring system or something like that)
I can’t get over number 17. Who did you know that you got such “service”?
Moshiach Now! and Kesiva VAchasima Tova to all!
Incredible that you complain after Mr. Slager has given millions of dollars to CH chinuch institutions in the last year
Thanks Batya for your professionalism and attention from the beginning and right through the professional development.You went above and beyond.
I am a very grateful grant recipient.
I hope Rabbi Krinsky got our thank you letter too.
All those Friday nights in my home back when in Edgware – knocking back those l’chaims…and look at where you are! Let no one underestimate the power of a Chassidic frabrengen! Keep it up buddy!!!
Dear David,
Your parents are so proud of you. In true Jewish tradition of modesty. A hearty mazeltov on another successful, momentous and life changing project . Your father and I enjoy such a warm and close relationship and I am honoured to have them as such true friends.
With all good wishes to you and your family.
Joe van den Bergh
Zandvoort Netherlands
Meyer Ossie Shlita, A Treasure To K’lal Yisroel
Batya thank you for all the support and assistance and care you gave my children throughout the whole process. It means everything. Keep up the good work. Thank you Rabbi Krinsky.
Not every grant can cover every need there is. There is no place for your negative cooment or attitude here. Give credit where credit is due.
Looking good Mrs Lisker and as always doing good.
GO MRS LISKER!!!!! NICE TO SEE YOU WE MISS YOU!
WE MISS YOU MRS. LISKER
mrs lisker i am sure you heard how different (not in a good way) school was without you this year. we miss you so much but are proud of you anyway. you are the best
No CH institutions are benefiting form this. Nu, nu.
from an english fan who’s been to w67/drisha!!
Where is HE? [Rabbi Kaplan.]
go mrs lisker!!
This is a major event! This will make a tremendous difference in the future of Chabad pre-school education- Yasher Koach to Rabbi Krinsky, Mrs. Lisker and all the members of the advisory committee for your continued efforts in furthering Jewish education!
chazak ve`emutz mr slager may you and your wife have only nachas and lots of nachas from your immediate and extended family