150 Released Time instructors gathered to celebrate the conclusion of another outstanding year of Jewish education in public schools, highlighting the continued impact of the longest-running outreach program of Chabad in America.

More than 1,000 Jewish children in over 100 public schools were reached throughout the school year, made possible only through the remarkable dedication of the instructors who travel weekly to the public schools.

As NCFJE’s flagship program, Released Time continues to serve as a beacon of light to generations of Jewish children and communities across the world. Just recently, Rabbi Mendel Hendel, who serves as a Chabad shliach in Marine Park, shared how recently he was approached to arrange a bar mitzvah for a child he’s never met. When he inquired about the family’s background, he was moved by the mother’s response: “My kids are not in a Jewish school. We are not part of any Jewish organization. But my father, as a child, went on Released Time in the 60’s, and because of that, we want our child to have a bar mitzvah too.”

Representing NCFJE’s Executive Committee, Rabbi Shimon Hecht thanked the instructors for their tireless devotion, describing them as the “unsung heroes” who are redeeming G-d’s children. He encouraged them to continue nurturing the relationships through the summer, emphasizing the lasting impact of their work.

As a token of gratitude, Released Time’s Director Rabbi Shazak Zirkind, gifted every instructor a beautifully newly printed Hebrew-English edition of Hayom Yom, expressing appreciation for their invaluable contributions to the program.

Thanks to newly launched grants from the UJA-Federation of New York and the Leviev Family Foundation, Released Time, under the leadership of Rabbi Yosef Gordon, is leading a major effort to help Jewish children transition from public school into yeshiva education. The program projects that with Hashem’s help they will be sending more than 100 children to yeshiva for the coming school year.

As another successful year comes to a close, Released Time remains a powerful force for Jewish education and identity, inspiring thousands of children and strengthening Jewish communities across New York and beyond.

The beautiful event was catered by Hildesheim Catering.