The second day of the 7th Annual Kinus Mechanchos Chabad held in Stamford, CT, included over twenty sessions, Chinuch resource fair and inspirational talks by renowned educators and Rabbanim.
The day began with a luxurious breakfast and chassidus shiur from Harav Yosef Shusterman, Rav of Anash in Los Angeles, Shliach in Beverly Hills, CA, and Kinus keynote speaker.
The following sessions, divided into tracks for educators of every grade level and Chinuch role, included presenters such as: Mrs. Chaya Barrocas, educational consultant at Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy, on “Tools from the Reggio Approach” to engage younger students, Mrs. Shiffy Landa, veteran educator and shlucha in St. Louis, MO, on “The Teacher/Parent/Student Triangle” to build community and connection, Mrs. Shterna Ginsberg, educator, mashpia and author of Your Awesome Self on “Tools to make spiritual concepts practical,” and so many more.
Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Jacobson addressed the Mechanchos over lunch on “The Power of Educators to Transform Lives: Lessons from our Rabbeim,” which highlighted timeless, practical lessons to take from the powerful Chinuch the Rabbeim gave.
The afternoon included presentations by Rabbi Dr. Elie Tuchman, head of school at Yeshivat Mekor Chaim, Baltimore, on “Building Shared Leadership,” for school leaders, and “Student Success,” for teachers. Dr. Hilary Buff, PsyD, spoke about “The Rising Tide of Anxiety: Tools for the Classroom Setting,” and answered the million dollar question Mechanchos today are asking: “Teacher or Therapist: What did I sign up for?”
Other hot topics in Chinuch discussed at the Kinus included: dyslexia, eating disorder prevention, executive functioning, as well as lessons from Klalei Hachinuch Ve’hadracha and how to teach the power of Tefillah.
There was a full day resource fair with over 20 vendors, boasting the latest educational resources for all age levels, as well as shaitels and spa items for the Mechanchos to treat themselves before the new school year.
Other perks included full day babysitting to allow participants to attend the workshops and stay present, gourmet meals by Turk catering, and womens’ only swim hours.
Participants kept repeating how they found the kinus both informative and inspiring.
Mrs. Mindy Small, Director of Special Education at the Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh, shared: “The Kinus changed my perspective not only on who I am as an educator, but on who I am as a Shlucha in what I do. Thank you to Chanah Rose, the kinus organizers, presenters and participants. It was so inspiring to meet Jewish educators from all over the world.”
It’s always great when educators gather. looking at the topic range it seems mental health issues have become more of a discussion point. Perhaps future editions of COLLIVE could featuresome of the takeaway points from the conference as a whole relevant to every one? What was consolidated, what was new and what could be under review? A deeper treatment of the rather than just a list of topics would be helpful .
Perhaps there could be a list of recordings available for the general public?
Hi! You can reach out to info@mymef.org regarding session recordings.