11 months ago

Gala Banquet Unites, Honors Mechanchim

Photos by Dov Ber Hechtman

A gala end-of-year Hakhel banquet welcomed mechanchim from across the greater New York area in a show of appreciation for their leadership. Uplifting talks, inspiring music and fine display enhanced the event • Full Story, Photos

A magnificent and inspirational mechanchim appreciation Hakhel banquet, complete with inspirational music, a spread of hot food dishes, elegantly set banquet tables, crisp table linens and fresh flowers, took place Wednesday night, Erev Shavuos at the Jewish Childrens’ Museum.

Although it was Erev Yom tov, the Mechanchim came enmasse:150 educators from across the greater New York area attended, plus hundreds more online.

The attendees represented a unique combination of all levels of school—Teachers, Principals, Deans, Mashpi’em etc.

Everyone felt a sense of belonging, and the event was greatly appreciated by everyone.

The celebratory event hosted by Igud Hamelamdim with weeks in the making, was timed for right before Shavuos, with its focus on Kabbolas HaTorah, and the unique spotlight on the children, who are the guarantors of the Torah for all generations.

The extra special touches of the banquet uniquely expressed appreciation to the mechanchim for their tireless devotion to the chinuch of our children.

The rich program additionally provided a wealth of motivation in chinuch and preparation for the upcoming YomTov.

Presenters included veteran Mechanchim, Rabbi Avrohom Bluming, Igud Hamelamdim’s director, Rabbi Yosef Simpson, Dean of United Lubavitcher Yeshiva, and Rabbi Mendel Blau Dean of Oholei Torah.

The keynote speaker, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Glukowski Shlita of Beis Din Rabonei Chabad Eretz Hakodesh, electrified the audience with his fiery messages on chinuch spanning every possible topic.

The spiritual energy was so vibrant, it lasted until midnight. A special souvenir, a pamphlet titled, “What is Chabad Chinuch” was handed out to every attendee.

“The event was so invigorating!” enthused one very inspired Mechanech. “The Chaverim, the presentations, the opportunity for me to interact with other Melamdim from other schools to share chinuch resources and advice for classroom management—it was really geshmak!”

“Beautiful Event!” was a quote echoed over and over by numerous attendees. Indeed, it was truly beautiful from all ends, b’gashmius ub’ruchnius.

“With the end of the school year rapidly approaching, the Mechanchim walked out, feeling buoyed by the appreciation and fueled with positive motivation and tools to last them to the very last day of school and beyond,” says Rabbi Avrohom Bluming.