Menahalim joined for round-table chinuch discussion regarding pressing contemporary chinuch issues, with a focus on ensuring that every talmid can strive and succeed * Guest of Honor Rabbi Eliyahu Schindler arrived especially from the United States to participate in Conference and delivered the message of Hagaon Harav Aharon Shechter zt”l.
Following several months of anticipation, menahalim of Talmudei Torah in Yerushalayim united for the Second Executives’ Educational Conference by Pele Yoetz Center to discuss critical chinuch issues and dilemmas facing contemporary parents and educators.
The event was produced by the Association of Menahalim, a branch of Pele Yoetz Center’s flagship program Al Pi Darko, in order to create a platform for menahalim of yeshivos and chadarim to come together, pose important questions, and discuss vital chinuch issues facing contemporary society. The Conference participants joined for a fascinating round-table discussion, with a focus on advancing struggling students, and each menahel sharing useful data and insights acquired from personal experience.
Following the outstanding success of last year’s Executives’ Educational Conference last summer, many participants expressed their interest in perpetuating the concept through regular seasonal conferences that offer opportunities to share thoughts and ideas and gain insights and advice from colleagues.
Supporting this monumental initiative is Rabbi Eliyahu Schindler, founder and president of Pele Yoetz’s flagship project Al Pi Darko, who flew in especially from New York to attend the Conference as the Guest of Honor.
The Second Executives’ Educational Conference by Pele Yoetz Center took place last week in the Shacharit Hall in Mitzpeh Yericho. The event was attended by 30 menahalim of Talmudei Torah in Yerushalayim and took place under the auspices of Hagaon Harav Dovid Levy shlit”a, Nasi of Pele Yoetz Center; Rabbi Avraham Vitman, director of Al Pi Darko; and the directors and board members of Pele Yoetz Center.
The event was emceed by Rabbi Nesanel Tefilinsky, board member of Pele Yoetz, who opened the event by praising the unity of the menahalim and their efforts to come together to raise the banner of chinuch and Torah in our generation, describing it as a fulfillment of the passuk “Az nidbiru yirei Hashem, vayakshev Hashem vayishmah.” He then emphasized the vital importance of offering close, personal attention to every talmid and expressed that the positive results are seen for generations after. He also issued a warm welcome to the guest of honor Rabbi Eliyahu Schindler who supports Pele Yoetz’s chinuch endeavors, and commended the outstanding efforts of the Spinka Rebbe shlit”a, father and patron of Pele Yoetz Center, who devotes his heart and soul in order to support and advance the Center, its programs, and offer chizuk both to individuals and the community at large.
Rabbi Menachem Sheinberger, CEO of Pele Yoetz, then officially opened the conference by extending his warm welcome to all participants. He presented a variety of educational tools that are highly beneficial to menahalim and discussed the vital importance of menahalim noticing every talmid and offering each one personal attention. He mentioned that, often, interactions can take no longer than several minutes a day, but when carried out consistently, the impact on the child is tremendous and offers him tremendous chizuk and lasting reinforcemen. He concluded that this task is a vital element of the role of a menahel and must be something to which he devotes thought and energy throughout the year.
Nasi of Pele Yoetz, Hagaon Harav Dovid Levy shlit”a then addressed the Conference participants, inspiring them with a compelling message about the responsibility that menahalim have in cultivating the next generation. He quoted the wisdom of Chazal in Avos, “Asei lecha rav,” which Rabbeinu Yonah explains as, “even if he is younger than you.”
Rav Levy commended the unity of a large group of menahalim who are all engaged in the sacred task and responsibility of chinuch. He concluded that every menahel’s spirit as a mashpia is prominently felt throughout his Talmud Torah, and that he is confident that the Conference will inspire each and every one to improve and enhance his efforts for the benefit of his institution and talmidim.
Rabbi Eliyahu Schindler was then honored to speak. He related that prior to the first Conference, he’d approached the mashgiach Hagaon Harav Aharon Shechter zt”l and asked him about the role of menahalim in the course of the Conference. In response, the mashgiach replied that “Our responsibility is to bring Hakadosh Baruch Hu simchah from our chinuch, and that He should reap nachas ruach from each and every talmid.”
He added that Hakadosh Baruch Hu also expects every menahel to believe in every talmid to the extent that he should not fear that even one should fall, chas veshalom. Rashi elucidates the passuk “Venafal mimenu rav,” as even if one individual falls, that individual is so precious to Hakadosh Baruch Hu that He regards it as if many fell.
In conclusion, he expressed that although Hashem surely reaps great nachas ruach from talmidim who excel and achieve great accomplishments in Torah and Gemara, who complete masechtos and make siyumim, it is no less important to ensure that every talmid—including those who struggle—bring nachas to Hakadosh Baruch Hu, The role of the menahalim and mechanchim, he said, is to instill ahavas haTorah and yiras Shamayim in the hearts of the talmidim, each talmid according to his individual level.
Next to address the conference was Rabbi Avraham Vitman, project director of Al Pi Darko, who expressed his thanks to the menahalim who took the time to participate in the Conference and for their outstanding year-round dedication to the vital goal of advancing talmidim. Rabbi Vitman highlighted the objective of the Conference which, among others, is to brainstorm as one and discuss important chinuch issues with a broad and deep outlook that facilitates each Talmud Torah in its efforts to implement strategies and enable them to reach students on every learning level.
Rabbi Shimon Rechtshafer, office manager of Pele Yoetz, then presented the growing number of menahalim and schools joining the Association, stating that this is the most powerful testimony to the positive effects and thirst for advancement in chinuch. He shared the enormous privilege he has had in escorting Al Pi Darko from its inception 6 years ago and making the acquaintance of Rabbi Schindler who is the driving force and power behind the project and whose outstanding efforts have benefited hundreds of talmidim in Eretz Yisrael.
At this point, Rabbi Shalom Ganz, menahel of Talmud Torah Karlin in Yerushalayim, took the floor and described the Association’s success, beginning from its early days with only a handful of menahalim and continuing today with membership of over 30 and others expressing interest in joining.
He proceeded to lead a riveting open discussion among the participants, raising a variety of important issues relevant to contemporary chinuch and offering every participant an opportunity to express his opinion and share his personal experiences. One of the main issues discussed was raising awareness among rebbeim regarding the importance of advancing struggling talmidim and the optimal way to support both rebbi and student throughout the process.
As the Conference drew to a close, Rabbi Tuvia Pollack, who is a well-known authority on chinuch challenges, mentioned the role of a menahel in instilling emunah and bitachon in the heart of every talmid through warm, compassionate words, encouragement and inspirational stories of tzaddikim.
In the course of the Conference, each menahel received an impressive kit containing a variety of rich educational content and a beautiful binder containing the conclusions of the Association’s first Educational Conference which took place last summer.
The Conference concluded late at night on an elevated note, with the menahalim unanimously expressing their appreciation to Pele Yoetz for an inspirational, empowering event and looking forward to the Third Executives’ Educational Conference which will, b’ezras Hashem, take place in the near future.
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