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September 17, 2024
The Focal Point of חינוך: The מתחנך in עבודת ה’
February 4, 2025Braving snowy mountain roads, over 60 menahalim gathered at Oorah’s campsite, The Zone, for a weekend of learning, connecting with others, and inspiration. From Thursday evening through Sunday morning there was nonstop professional learning, networking, and discovery. The conference was an outgrowth of the Menahalim Talking Chinuch (MTC) program run by Rabbi Dovid Engel and the Consortium of Jewish Day Schools. Rabbi Aryeh Kravetz, from Toras Chaim in Norfolk, expressed that, “The conference was not just chizuk drashos — it was practical and the pilpul chaveirim was so chashuv. The chizuk came from how practical the conference was and how many tools, yesodos and ideas I was able to walk away with.”
The highlight of the event was Rabbi Shimon Russel’s in-depth presentation on chinuch called “What Works and Why?” Rabbi Russell’s approach is rooted in the importance of secure attachment between the talmid and his rebbi or school, leading to a lifelong, committed attachment to Hashem. He described to the gathered menahalim how talmidim could feel excluded from this embrace of Hashem by chinuch methods that unintentionally send the message that disenfranchises them and how, with a change of mindset and methodology, all talmidim can be made to feel connected to Hashem. Rabbi Shlomo Newman, menahel at Yeshiva Beth Yehuda in Detroit, said that on his first day back to school after hearing Rabbi Russell’s presentation, “I had a parent meeting about their son who has impulsivity … and I was able to discuss it with them with such clarity and with real-time and helpful tips because I was fresh off hearing from Rabbi Russell.”
The menahalim also heard from Rabbi Hillel Shepard, menahel of Yeshiva Toras Simcha in Baltimore, on an all-encompassing approach to classroom management that he calls “The Box”. The Box addresses learning outcomes, differentiation, and discipline in a holistic way by creating standards for learning and behavior that are self-sustaining and separate from the personality of the rebbi or teacher. Rabbi Shepard described how he has been implementing this system with the rebbeim in his school and encouraged the menahalim to take these ideas back to their schools.
Rabbi Yosef Bondi, from Yeshiva Aharon Yaakov/Ohr Eliyahu in Los Angeles, gave a remarkable presentation on teaching tefillah called “Essence of Davening- How to Make it Real and Engaging for Talmidim and Talmidos.” Rabbi Bondi argued that tefillah should be one of the primary focuses of chinuch and presented a cogent approach to teaching about tefillah based on Chazal and the writings of contemporary gedolim. Rabbi Bondi suggested that schools use the Consortium’s tefillah curriculum, Davening with Depth, including the student workbooks and teacher guides.
Mrs. Ana Mandelbaum, principal of Zucker Jewish Academy in the Five Towns, participated in the weekend. She said, “The knowledge and connections I gained will undoubtedly influence my approach to leadership and help me better serve my students, teachers, and the wider school community. Sharing experiences and exchanging ideas helped me gain a broader perspective on issues such as student engagement, curriculum development, and school culture. I walked away with a wealth of resources that I am excited to implement in my own school.”
The weekend was hosted by Oorah, giving the attendees the opportunity to become better acquainted with what Oorah does and to learn from its staff. Rav Chaim Mintz, the founder and director of Oorah, addressed the menahalim on Friday evening. Later, he led an “Ask the Rabbi” session. Rabbi Yonah Lazar gave an inspiring Shabbos morning drasha on the topic of “Emunah Atzmis”. Rabbi Avi Davidowitz also addressed the menahalim, imploring them to approach their talmidim with positivity and directing them, “Please Don’t Look.”
Rabbi Hillel Hexter, menahel at TA in Baltimore, expressed appreciation to the “CoJDS and Oorah staff for organizing such a memorable and impactful Shabbos. The networking opportunities were exceptional, fostering meaningful connections and the exchange of valuable ideas. The sessions were both collaborative and enjoyable, striking a balance of humor and content.”
In addition to these presentations, there were panel discussions where menahalim responded to chinuch questions, presenting a range of perspectives on important topics and sharing ideas based on their professional experience with the attendees. Rabbi Dovid Engel delivered a lecture on “Healthy Boundaries for a Menahel” that focused on the ways menahalim should (and should not) relate to their various constituents, including rebbeim, general studies teachers, parents, and lay leaders or board members.
Rabbi Engel also led a spirited and informative MTC Live session, bringing the collaboration found in the Menahalim Talking Chinuch Zoom sessions to the next level. Among many other topics, Rabbi Engel discussed a rubric that the Consortium created that can be used to measure the effectiveness of a rebbi both in the classroom and out of the classroom, and the menahalim were excited to see and implement this rubric.
Rabbi Heshy Glass, national chairman of CoJDS, addressed the mechanchim in attendance, inviting them to participate in the Principal Visitation Program, a new Consortium initiative that facilitates principals spending a day or two in another school, observing, sharing, and learning together. He also asked for feedback on the new Cumulative Yeshiva Curriculum, currently under development, which sets grade-level guidance to chadarim and day schools on content and skills outcomes.
Recharged with new friendships and armed with fresh understanding, the attendees returned to their schools. After the weekend, Rabbi Aryeh Birnhack, head of Judaics at the Hasten Hebrew Academy in Indianapolis, expressed that he is “so grateful for the zechus to be part of the Consortium family!” Rabbi Yehuda Brecher, principal of Yeshiva Ketana of Waterbury, agreed, saying, “It was very nice to be surrounded for a whole Shabbos by tremendous mechanchim. The speeches were phenomenal, and the panels were entertaining.”