Increasing the Radiance of Chinuch: Pele Yoetz Hosts Annual Chinuch Assembly

Pele Yoetz Center’s annual chinuch faculty assembly took place this year right after Chanukah and culled from the themes of ‘Mosif v’holech’ and drawing from the light of Chanukah to illuminate the spiritual darkness to address pertinent issues in contemporary chinuch. Seated around the table were Hagaon Harav Dovid Levy shlit”a, Nasi of Pele Yoetz; Board members; Hanhalah members; Department directors; and the Center’s patron and guest of honor the Spinka Rebbe shlit”a.

The annual assembly, which sheds light on critical issues in chinuch facing both mechanchim and students, attracted widespread interest for its eye-opening range of professional opinions and solutions. The impressions and insights shared throughout evening were widely discussed in many forums in the days following the assembly.

Focusing on the event’s theme of ‘Mosif v’holech,’ the Spinka Rebbe shlit”a inspired guests with a description of man’s mission in the world which compels constant effort and progress despite the myriad challenges that he faces throughout life. He highlighted the intensive efforts that must be invested into chinuch and praised Pele Yoetz’s faculty for the heavy burden they shoulder and their indefatigable efforts on behalf of Klal Yisrael’s children, adopting as their life’s calling the words expressed by Yehuda, “Eich e’eleh el avi, v’hana’ar eineinu iti? How will I return to my father, and the lad will not be with me?” The Rebbe shlit”a noted that adolescents, in particular, require our greatest efforts and resources, and that we must do everything in our power to ensure that they remain safe within the system so they can continue following the path of Torah and yiras Shamayim.

Hagaon Harav Dovid Levy shlit”a spoke next, comparing the passuk, “Rak am chacham v’navon hagoy hagadol hazeh. Only this great nation is a wise and understanding people” to the words said by Pharaoh to Yosef, “Ein navon v’chacham kamocha. There is no one as understanding and wise as you.” He explained that while, in most fields, knowledge and wisdom are the basis to success, and enhanced by creativity and insight; chinuch first and foremost requires perception, ingenuity and resourcefulness in order to identify a problem and discern a child’s strength and potential to succeed, and only afterward does the mechanech draw from his accumulated knowledge and wisdom in order to teach.

Pele Yoetz’s Executive Director Rabbi Menachem Sheinberger drew a parallel between the light of Chanukah and the incredible behind-the-scenes work of Pele Yoetz Center. He described the burden of so many lives carried on the shoulders of so few, as each individual strives to perform his respective role with mesirus nefesh and devotion to the klal.

Rabbi Yaakov Acker, director of Pele Yoetz Center’s Shalom Bayis Department, then discussed the link between a strong, stable home to the spiritual lives and souls of the next generation. He referenced specific recent cases as evidence that the home is the primary compelling force guiding a person throughout a lifetime of decisions, and emphasized that strengthening the foundations of every home as is the key to the emotional and spiritual health of the next generation.

The assembly concluded at a late hour, with sentiments of deep gratification and inspiration. Our guests ended the evening equipped with knowledge and insights relevant to this time of year. These lessons will, im yirtzeh Hashem, empower them to draw from the spiritual radiance and warmth of Chanukah to continue their sacred mission of chinuch and illuminate the spiritual darkness enveloping so many of our nation’s youth.