In a powerful display of unity and pride, 420 Lubavitcher mechanchim from 75 cities gathered Tuesday afternoon for the iconic “class photo” at the 26th Annual International Kinus HaMechanchim at the Armon Hotel in Stamford, Connecticut.

This year, the photo carries added meaning as the Kinus marks 50 years since the Rebbe launched Mivtza Chinuch, calling for a renewed commitment to the chinuch of every Jewish child.

Standing together were mechanchim representing schools and communities from across the country and beyond, with different roles, backgrounds, and years of experience, united by the same shlichus.

“Fifty years ago, the Rebbe placed chinuch at the forefront and charged us with reaching every Jewish child,” said Rabbi Nochem Kaplan, Director of the Merkos Chinuch Office. “Seeing hundreds of mechanchim standing together today is a powerful reminder that this shlichus continues every single day, in every classroom and with every talmid.”

The group photo has become a hallmark of the annual Kinus, capturing something that is difficult to see during the rest of the year. Hundreds of individual mechanchim, each carrying responsibility for his own classroom and talmidim, are standing together as one community of educators.

This year’s Kinus is centered on the goal of raising פרומע, ערליכע, ווארימע, חסידישע אידן, returning the focus to the עיקר and strengthening mechanchim in the shlichus entrusted to them.

Download a high-resolution photo here.

Photo: Sholem Srugo/Kinus HaMechanchim