MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dear Friend ,
With gratitude to Hashem , this spring the Menachem Education Foundation will be entering our 10th year as an organization . It is a very special time to reflect on how we have grown over the years and the incredible community that has formed around our vision for excellence in our children ’ s education . In this report , you will read about our early beginnings when we were just a teacher training program ( page 8 ). Since then , we have grown to become a significant player in the Chabad educational community , as you will read from Rabbi Kagan ’ s interview ( page 17 ). Each individual you will find in this report , has been personally impacted or inspired by our work and has joined with us to be a champion of strong chinuch for every student in our community .
Why is it that hundreds of our community ’ s educators work with us and attend our programs ? What are the values that drive us to do what we do ? Behind it all , is the unwavering , fundamental belief that every single child in our community deserves access to an excellent education , and that each child can be successful and have a personal connection to Torah and Yiddeshkeit .
“ V ’ eila hamishpatim asher tasim lifneihem – And these are the laws that you shall place before them .” ( Shemos , 21:1 ) Rashi comments that the phrase “ you shall place before them ” implies that we must “ set a table ” before our children , giving them every opportunity to partake in Torah . As parents and educators , it is our responsibility to our children to “ place it before them ” and create an education that sets them up for a successful life as a Torah Jew . Our children ’ s ultimate success is in Hashem ’ s hands , but creating the vessel for that success is in ours .
As I look back at what we have accomplished , I am awed to see the impact we have had over the years by investing in our teachers and principals . So many of the people you will meet in this report tell the story of how MEF invested in their talents and how they are now able to contribute , not just in their own school communities but around the world ( page 4 ). Circles of influence are forming simultaneously around the world as we build on previous successes and reach more and more school communities around the globe . We are thrilled to begin reaping the fruits of our labor and are excited and confident that a strong , viable and successful Chabad education can and will become a reality .
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Mr . Alan Zekelman and the Nash Foundation for their generous support , as well as the hundreds of individual donors who allow us to make a difference in children ’ s lives all over the world .
Sincerely ,
Zalman Shneur
Rabbi Zalman Shneur Executive Director
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