Colorful balloons and joyous niggunim greeted the hundreds of students at the Chabad Cheder in Rechovot with the participation of the city’s mayor. Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gluckowsky warmly welcomed the young children wrapped in talleisim for their Hachnasa LeCheder.

Chabad Cheder Rechovot opened the new school year on Alef Elul with a warm and festive welcome for students and their families.

Upon arrival, hundreds of children and parents were greeted with a sweet treat in honor of the new school year and given coins for tzedaka, while joyous niggunim played in the background.

The entrance of the Cheder – and even the surrounding street – was decorated with colorful helium balloons. Standing at the gates, Rabbi Amir Hertz, the menahel, together with his assistant Rabbi Mendy Elbaz, received every child and parent with a smile. Families paused for pictures at the beautiful “balloon arch” before heading inside, where the boys met their new melamdim.

The highlight came with the arrival of the mayor of Rechovot, Mr. Metan Dill, joined by city CEO Mr. Moshiko Erez, Deputy Mayor Rabbi Aryeh Lipsker, city council members Rabbi Eldad Gadassi and attorney Rabbi Effie Ben-Gad, Deputy Chairman of the Religious Council Rabbi Shauli Goldberg, as well as other city officials and guests.

Following a short dvar Torah and l’chaim from Rabbi Hertz, everyone joined in welcoming the new first graders. The mayor wished the children a good year, encouraging them to hold on to the same excitement they felt on their very first day. Each boy received a special gift from the mayor and his staff.

After the sounding of the shofar, all gathered in the Cheder’s gymnasium for the moving Knesiah LeCheder – Entering the Cheder ceremony, led by the Mara D’asra, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gluckowsky, who has been conducting the program for many years in his uniquely heartfelt manner.

The guests were touched as they watched the young children wrapped in talleisim, tasting honey and reciting “Tova Torah mikol sechorah.”

The event left a deep impression on everyone present, who remarked that the atmosphere of joy and excitement they experienced in the Cheder would remain with them as they enter the new year.

Photo: Meir Alfasi