Cheder Chabad of Monsey marked the Chassidishe yomim tovim of Yud Daled Kislev and Yud Tes Kislev with warmth, chayus, and meaningful programs for every age group – from the youngest preschoolers to the oldest Mechina talmidim preparing for Mesivta.

Yud Daled Kislev

In honor of Yud Daled Kislev, the cheder’s divisions each celebrated in a way that spoke to their students.

In the preschool, the youngest students enjoyed an adorable mock wedding. Each class dressed up as a different part of a wedding, bringing Yud Daled Kislev to life in the most fitting way for their age and level.

In the girls’ school, the week featured class farbrengens that were interactive, uplifting, and full of Chassidishkeit.

In the boys’ school, dozens of fathers joined their sons for a special father-son day filled with unity and camaraderie. Fathers connected with their sons in age-appropriate ways – through crafts, davening, learning, and lunch. Later in the week, the boys were joined by Rabbi Ezzy Morgenstern, a soldier and shliach from Eretz Yisroel, who held a spirited farbrengen in honor of Yud Daled Kislev.

With that strong start, the school headed into a week chock full of learning and Chassidishkeit as they approached Yud Tes Kislev – Rosh Hashana L’Chassidus.

Yud Tes Kislev

Yud Tes Kislev was marked in Cheder Chabad of Monsey with much light and chayus, as truly befits Rosh Hashana L’Chassidus. Across all three divisions, hundreds of students enjoyed a day full of meaningful learning and Chassidishe inspiration, each on their own level.

In the boys’ cheder, the talmidim experienced a day suffused with Chassidishe warmth, including farbrengens with rebbeim and guests, a seudah, and more. One highlight was a Q&A with Rabbi Moshe Binyomin, a chossid who joined Lubavitch later in life. The boys were enthralled to hear his story and came away with a deeper appreciation for the gift of living with chassidus. During the Yom Tov seudah, the talmidim were addressed by Rabbi Moshe Kalmenson, shliach to Hyde Park, NY. Special thanks go to Rabbi Itkin, Rabbi Weisberg, Rabbi Chazan, Rabbi Perlow, Rabbi Rosenberg, and Rabbi Silverstein for making the day possible.

In the girls’ school, the focus of the day centered on tefillah. The hachana leading up to Yud Tes Kislev emphasized the Alter Rebbe’s choice to remain in Mezritch with the Maggid in order to learn how to daven – a decision that ultimately led to the path of chassidus and the publishing of the Tanya. As the culmination of weeks of preparation, each class created a beautiful tefillah mural. Every girl decorated her portion, which then combined into a stunning classroom display featuring a slogan about davening. The girls also enjoyed meaningful workshops, with even the youngest Pre-1A students joining in alongside older grades.

The oldest classes also had special opportunities off campus. Sixth and seventh grade were warmly hosted by Rabbi and Mrs. Gluckowsky of Chabad of Closter, NJ. Rabbi Gluckowsky spoke to the girls, followed by enjoyable workshops and a delicious lunch. The eighth grade was hosted in the home of Mrs. Markowitz, where they were addressed by Rabbi Chaim Chazan, mashpia of the Mechina division in the boys’ school. The girls returned happy, inspired, and uplifted by the special day. Thank you to Rabbi and Mrs. Gluckowsky and Mrs. Markowitz for their gracious hospitality, and to Mrs. Rosenbluh, Mrs. Mann, Miss Rimler, and the entire staff for their dedication and effort.

The preschool, too, celebrated the Yom Tov in a way that was both authentic and exciting for the kinderlach. Walking into the building, the first sight was rows of smiling children dressed in their Yom Tov finery. Each class connected to a different aspect of Yud Tes Kislev on their level. They joined a farbrengen, made a lechaim, gave tzedakah, and enjoyed cupcakes. The children explored the story of Yud Tes Kislev and sang the niggun “Pada Beshalom.” UPK sang Perek Alef of Tanya, Nursery performed a song about the Lubavitcher rebbeim, and the program ended with joyous dancing. How fortunate we are to be Chabad Chassidim!

A heartfelt thank-you to Mrs. Groner, Preschool Limudei Kodesh Principal, Mrs. Light, the director, and the entire preschool staff for creating a truly Chassidishe experience for the children.

Rabbi Dovid Brawer and the school hanhala extend heartfelt brachos to all students, parents, and teachers for a Shana Tova in learning chassidus and in the ways of chassidus.