300 Signed Up to Online Kinus Mechanchos

Over the last few months of the school year, Mechanchos upended everything they are used to about teaching to move their classrooms online, and to be there for their students in entirely new ways. After a very short breather, they are heading back online – this time, for a Kinus Mechanchos, to gather strength and inspiration for the coming year of teaching, whatever form it takes.

The Menachem Education Foundation’s annual Kinus Mechanchos Chabad has become a real highlight for teachers, so this year, they are striving to create an online program that will be as uplifting and nurturing as it is empowering and informative. With a welcome package out in the mail, a food demo on the schedule, and sessions on self-care for busy teachers, the Kinus will be a boost before we head back to school, taking place on י”ד-ט”ו מנחם אב / Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 4-5.

The theme of the Kinus is “Yisron haor min hachoshech – Mining the current challenges for the treasures that will make us stronger.” As such, sessions will feature creative and practical teaching solutions for any kind of classroom, as well as inspiration to keep going despite all odds. The lineup includes presenters such as Mrs. Mashi Lipskar, Mrs. Dena Gorkin, Dr. Sara Rosenfeld, Morah Chanie Feldman, Rabbi YY Jacobson, Dr. David Fox, and many more, as well as teachers themselves sharing best practices.

The Kinus is being planned by Mrs. Chanah Rose and Mrs. Etty Teleshevsky of MEF, and a committee of teachers representing Chabad K-12 schools across the U.S. and Canada. The tone of the Kinus is set by the esteemed Vaad – Mrs. Chana Brod, Mrs. Batsheva Deren, and Mrs. Shana Teichtel – and Mrs. Devorah Krasnianski of the Chabad Early Childhood Education (CECE) network has crafted a comprehensive track for preschool teachers as well.

Taking advantage of the ease of accessing this Kinus (another example of “yisron haor min hachoshech”), 300 Mechanchos have already signed up from the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Europe, and Australia. Workshops will take place on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning of the Kinus, with 4 simultaneous tracks offering more than 20 sessions to choose from. The Chinuch Banquet on Tuesday evening will be a show of Achdus, featuring “The LIGHTer Side of Zoom” with Shlucha Devora Ita Lewis, Tu B’Av inspiration with Rabbi Shais Taub, musical tributes to teachers, Chassidishe farbrengen, and more.

Registration for teachers is just $18 for the full program, and non-educators are invited to join the Banquet as well. The full schedule and registration details can be viewed at MyMEF.org/Events/Kinus. “Challenging times need bigger solutions,” shares Toronto mechaneches Mrs. Chavi Rapoport. “Looking forward to the boost, and the best strategies to take our students onwards and forward!”