Miami Boys Launch Their Own Chitas and Rambam Learning Initiative

When the bell rings at LEC Middle School, most boys head out for a break. But for more than 70 of them, free time has become an opportunity to open a Chayenu instead.

Every day, during their own free time and outside of regular classes, these middle schoolers sit down to learn Chitas and Rambam. No one is assigning it. The boys took it upon themselves, and the number of participants has steadily grown to more than 70.

The initiative is run by the students themselves. Motti Steinberg, Yisroel Citron, and Alter Schapiro lead the campaign and raise the funds to put a Chayenu in the hands of every boy who joins. Rabbi Mendy Shachar supervises the program, overseeing the funds and purchasing the booklets.

“The boys really enjoy it,” one of the organizers said. “Nobody is forcing them. They come because they like the learning, and they like that they’re picking up something new every day.”

The Rebbe encouraged every Jew to take on the daily study of Chitas and Rambam, and for many of these boys, it is becoming a habit at an age when habits are formed.

To keep things interesting, the program includes daily questions on Chitas and Rambam. Boys who submit answers are entered into raffles for prizes, adding a bit of friendly competition to the routine.

The organizers are now inviting Anash to partner with the boys by sponsoring their learning. Sponsors can dedicate the learning for a zechus of their choice, whether a refuah shleimah, a simcha, or l’ilui nishmas.

“This is a real Yissachar-Zevulun partnership,” one of the organizers said. “Every line of Torah these boys learn, the sponsor has a share in.”

To sponsor the boys’ learning, click here.