Every day after school, in cities and towns across the world, children walk through the doors of a CKids Afterschool program and into a space built for one purpose: to make Torah learning and Yiddishkeit part of their everyday lives. 

For many of these children, this is their primary connection to Jewish life. Their days are spent in public school, typically with little exposure to their heritage. But each afternoon, they step into a structured environment away from the noise of the world, where they have an opportunity to learn about Judaism, build friendships with Jewish peers, and develop pride in who they are. 

“In today’s world, every Jewish child must have access to a robust Jewish education,” says Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Executive Director of Merkos 302 and Chairman of CKids International. “There’s no substitute for daily exposure to Yiddishkeit, daily reinforcement of their identity, and connection to Hashem.” 

In an effort to bring that vision to life, Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky OBM stood at the Kinus HaShluchos two years ago and announced a bold goal: to establish 100 CKids Afterschool programs, where children would learn Torah and live their Yiddishkeit four days a week instead of just at Hebrew School once a week. It was Rabbi Moshe Kotlasky’s last Kinus address ever. “And in just two years,” shares Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, “boruch Hashem, we’re nearly a third of the way to that original goal.”  

What began as a pilot program has quickly grown into a network serving more than 1,500 children in over 30 CKids Afterschool programs worldwide, with over a million dollars invested to date. From New York to Stockholm, from Johannesburg to Vancouver, children are taking time after regular school hours to bolster their Yiddishkeit. They’re learning Torah, doing mitzvos, and growing up proud to be Jewish, all week long. 

Mrs. Chaya Rosenfeld of Chabad of Vancouver, British Columbia, recalled how a student from the local public school joined the afterschool program and became close friends with her daughters. 

Soon, the girl was joining the family for Shabbos meals and participating in bas mitzvah classes. As she grew more connected to Jewish life, her parents also began building relationships within the community.

“What started as an afterschool activity became something much bigger,” Mrs. Rosenfeld said. “The friendship helped an entire family feel at home in Jewish life.”

Similar stories are unfolding in communities around the world. Now, six shluchim have been selected as new recipients of the CKids Afterschool Program Grant, joining the growing network of communities creating new opportunities for Jewish learning and connection. 

As the Jewish community marks the 50th anniversary of the Rebbe’s landmark Mivtza Chinuch initiative, expanding access to Torah learning and engagement has never felt more urgent. The Rebbe consistently championed the need to elevate the prestige of Jewish education.

“No more once-a-week Judaism,” says Rabbi Zalman Loewenthal, Director of CKids and Associate Director of the Chinuch Office of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch. “A child learning secular studies every day needs to know that Judaism doesn’t live in the shadow of secular education.” 

“For young couples looking for their makom hashlichus, afterschool is the new frontier,” says Loewenthal. “It’s a full-fledged shlichus opportunity in hundreds of Chabad houses around the world.” 

The new CKids Afterschool grant recipients include:

• Rabbi Mendel and Peri Raichik – Chabad Israeli Center, Houston, TX
• Rabbi Yisroel and Chanale Cotlar – Chabad of Cary, NC
• Rabbi Yudi and Chana Eisenbach – Chabad Israeli Center of Fair Lawn, NJ
• Rabbi Eliyahu Nachum and Tzivia Block – Chabad Center for Jewish Life & Learning, San Antonio, TX
• Rabbi Sholom and Sarale Posner – Chabad of Rancho Mirage, CA
• Rabbi Moshe Dovid and Chaya Rochel Cohen – Chabad of Manchester, UK