By COLlive reporter
Hundreds of educators from around the world gathered for the opening day of the 11th Annual Kinus Mechanchos Chabad, an inspiring day of learning, connection and celebration centered around this year’s theme, “ונפשו קשורה בנפשו – Enduring Connections.”
The day began at the Armon Hotel in Stamford, Connecticut, where participants were welcomed with registration and breakfast before choosing from over 40 professional development workshops tailored to every stage of Chinuch.
The opening workshop sessions featured topics such as building purposeful teacher-student relationships with Rabbi Dr. David Fox; supporting high-needs students in mainstream classrooms with Mrs. Yocheved Shapiro, M.Ed.; cultivating a learning-focused classroom with Mrs. Hadassah Shemtov; and practical strategies for Chinuch in Halacha and Chassidishe Hashkafa, presented by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gluckowsky of Rechovot.
During the welcoming brunch, attendees were greeted by the Kinus leadership before hearing opening remarks and words of inspiration from Rabbi Gluckowsky and Mrs. Mushkie Zaltzman, setting the tone for two days dedicated to strengthening educators personally and professionally.
Throughout the afternoon, participants selected from an extensive lineup of workshops addressing today’s most important topics in Chinuch. Sessions included “AI A to Z: How to Use (and Not to Use) AI in the Classroom” with Sarah Gordon, “Connecting Through Coaching Conversations” with Ita Selengut, M.S.Ed., “The Science of Learning” with Mrs. Tanya Rubin, M.Ed., “Healthy Boundaries, Healthy Relationships and Abuse Prevention” with Mrs. Devorah Fox, LCSW, and practical classroom strategies presented by leading educators from across the Chabad school network.
Educators also participated in structured networking huddles designed specifically for their roles, allowing preschool, elementary, high school, curriculum, and specialty educators to collaborate, exchange ideas, and build lasting professional relationships with colleagues facing similar opportunities and challenges.
The theme that tied each session together was “connection.” In the 50th year since Mivtzah Chinuch, when the Rebbe emphasized the importance of connecting every child to their Torah inheritance, this year’s Kinus is giving educators the tools to connect through every aspect of Chinuch.
After a short break during which they posed for a group photo, educators continued to enjoy the 11th Annual Gala Chinuch Banquet and evening program, featuring multiple Farbrengens.
“This is oxygen for my year,” shared Mushka Weinstein, sixth-grade teacher at Cheder Lubavitch Morristown, after the full day of programs.
To stay updated on the 11th Annual Kinus Mechanchos Chabad, follow @menachemeducation on Instagram or MEF’s Whatsapp Status.
