Sydney Educator Turns Daily Tanya Sketches Into New Book

Sketches in Tanya, created by Sydney-based educator Chaim Y. Munitz, brings the teachings of Tanya to life through simple, hand-drawn illustrations, helping learners better understand and remember the concepts of Chassidus.

The project began in Munitz’s classroom, where he was looking for creative ways to explain the deeper concepts of Tanya to his students. He began drawing simple sketches to help illustrate the ideas being taught.

Seeing how effective the drawings were in the classroom, Munitz began creating sketches based on the daily Tanya portion of Chitas and sharing them through WhatsApp.

What started as a small initiative gradually grew, with hundreds of people receiving the sketches and using them as part of their daily Tanya learning.

As the collection grew, so did the idea of bringing the sketches together into a book.

The result is Sketches in Tanya, a comprehensive collection of illustrations arranged according to the daily Tanya cycle, allowing readers to follow along throughout the year.

The book is designed for learners of all levels, whether studying Tanya for the first time or looking for a fresh perspective on familiar concepts. It can also serve as a useful resource for teachers, parents and anyone looking to make Chassidus more accessible.

“The idea is simple,” Munitz explains. “Sometimes a single picture can help an idea stick. The sketches aren’t meant to replace learning Tanya, but to give people another way to connect with what they’re learning.”

The publication holds special personal significance following the tragic Chanukah attack in Bondi, Sydney last year, during which Munitz and his family experienced a remarkable survival. Bringing the book to print is also an expression of gratitude to Hashem.

What began with a few classroom drawings has now become a book aimed at helping people connect with the Alter Rebbe’s teachings — one day, one idea and one sketch at a time.

Sketches in Tanya by Chaim Y. Munitz is now available on Amazon.