Cheder Chabad of Baltimore marked Yud-Tes Kislev, the Rosh Hashanah of Chassidus, with a full day of meaningful learning, spirited gatherings, and heartfelt song, as students across all divisions experienced the power and joy of Chassidus in age-appropriate and inspiring ways.

The day began in the boys’ middle school with a special shiur Chassidus delivered by Cheder Chabad CEO Rabbi Elchonon Chaikin. The students learned a teaching from the Frierdiker Rebbe explaining what Chassidus truly is – a bridge, likened to “electric wires” or “telephone wires,” that connects the ideas of the mind to the emotions of the heart. The shiur emphasized the great privilege of being chassidim who are given the tools to serve Hashem with both understanding and feeling.

Following special Yud-Tes Kislev learning in their individual classes, the entire boys’ school gathered for a grand seuda. Together, the students sang “Pada B’Shalom” and heard a story of the Alter Rebbe from Rabbi Mendel Chazan, the sixth-grade rebbi. A cherished annual highlight followed, as Rabbi Sholom Cohen’s fifth-grade class recited Perek Yud-Alef of Tanya by heart. The seuda concluded with bentching and a lively chassidic bingo game led by fourth-grade rebbi, Rabbi Ahron Chazan.

After lunch and continued learning, the school held a grand Yud-Tes Kislev Seder Niggunim, a first-of-its-kind event organized and led entirely by Kitah Ches. With the lights dimmed and special tables set for each grade, the atmosphere was transformed. Music was led by Leivik Pewzner on keyboard and seventh grader Mordechai Stolik on flute. Narrators Zalman Kaplan and Menachem Levin explained what a Seder Niggunim is and shared the meaning and uniqueness of each niggun. The singing was led by baalei menagnim Shmuli Bukiet and Lipa Shapiro, creating an uplifting and deeply moving experience. A special thank you was extended to the many fathers who joined the students for this meaningful celebration.

In the girls’ school, the morning began with a beautiful chavrusa program in the lunchroom, where older students paired up with younger grades to learn Chassidus together before davening. After the younger classes returned to their classrooms for davening and learning, the middle school participated in a special workshop on the significance of Chassidus being revealed specifically in our generation, led by Principal Mrs. Chanie Tenenbaum.

In honor of Yud-Tes Kislev, each class prepared a creative poster and performance highlighting one of the Rebbe’s Ten Mivtzoim. The girls then watched a video of the Rebbe and wrote a pan on this auspicious day. After a festive seuda lunch, the classes presented their projects and performances to the entire school. A beautiful Seder Niggunim followed, accompanied by eighth-grade violinist Mussie Rosenbloom. The celebration concluded with bentching and a special dessert.

Cheder Chabad’s Gan students were very much part of the Yud-Tes Kislev celebration as well. From Gan Beis and up, a beautifully decorated meal was arranged in the Gan library. A lively farbrengen was led by Gan Directors, Mrs.Chanie Raskin and Mrs.Rochel Ceitlin, and their morahs. The children heard the story of Yud-Tes Kislev and joyfully sang “Pada B’Shalom” and other chassidishe niggunim.

The Rebbe Rashab writes, as quoted in Hayom Yom, that certain activities were postponed on Yud-Tes Kislev because of a lack of time on that day. That spirit was truly felt throughout Cheder Chabad of Baltimore, where the entire school paused its regular routine to immerse in the learning, joy, and inner vitality of Yud-Tes Kislev.