Virtual School Meets Face to Face

By COLlive reporter
Photos: Shmuel Amit

200 students, parents and teachers from 118 cities from across North America and Europe and as far away as Curitiba, Brazil converged on Crown Heights for the annual Day of Celebration of the Nigri International Shluchim Online School.

Under the leadership and direction of Rabbi Gedalya Shemtov and Devora Leah Notik, the virtual school teaches the sons and daughters of Chabad Shluchim throughout the world, providing them with a robust Chassidishe education in their places of Shlichus.

The joyous celebration last Thursday served as a once-a-year opportunity for the students of the Online School to meet each other face to face, interact and socialize outside of the online classroom setting.

The event for the boys’ division coincides with the International Kinus Hashluchim in New York and has become the highlight of the Online School calendar, celebrating friendship, learning, and their special school.

“I was so excited because I finally got to meet my classmates in person!” said Berel Levertov, a grade 5 student who lives on Shlichus in Austin, Texas. “You can’t really see someone’s personality online and on the phone, so now I got to really become friends with them.”

Mrs. Sara Steinmetz, a Shlucha in Sarasota, Florida, and a mother of one of the children attending, said, “The most heartwarming part of it all, which brought me to tears of joy, was the dancing of the Rebbe’s and their students.

“Seeing the energy of the B2 teachers was beautiful, and when Arye Leib was being picked up on their shoulders for dancing, it was just such genuine love for a child who does not have any other real social life, aside for that of the Nigri International Shluchim Online School. Thanks to the teachers for sharing so much enthusiasm and dedication with their students.”

The program was led by Rabbi Yaacov Ringo, the principal of the Boys’ Division. Seventh-grade student Schneur Zalman Rivkin of Hillsboro, Oregon shared a Dvar Malchus with the crowd.

Rabbi Levi Banon, Shliach in Casablanca, Morocco spoke on behalf of the parents, thanking the teachers and staff for the Chinuch that their children receive in all corners of the globe.

The Talmidim enjoyed a live learning-activity session with their Rebbeim, together in a “real classroom” for the first and only time this year!

Class role-calls erupted into emotional dancing with a surprise performance by singer Eli Marcus. Atop the shoulders of their Rabbeim, and surrounded by their dear classmates, the boys sang, danced and celebrated.

The ice skating trip wrapped up a phenomenal day of unity and fun. The boys came home inspired for another year of learning in their places of Shlichus.