Education Video

Conventional education is about feeding information and skills. Chinuch means much more.

Proper education means giving our children a delicate balance. They must know Torah’s unwavering fundamentals, which are, “our life and length of our days“ – principles which cannot change, regardless of the circumstances. At the same time, however, the child is told to continually grow, and be innovative in his life’s mission. Just as his body constantly grows, so must his soul grow, every single day.

Efraim Steinmetz is a businessman from Caracas, Venezuela. He and his wife came to the Rebbe with concerns about their children’s Jewish education. The Rebbe answered with a story from his own childhood.

It is rare for all students of one age group to be on the same academic level in their learning. Dividing the students into smaller classes - one more advanced than the other - creates a healthy incentive for all the students to grow.

The book of Genesis relates that “the heart of man is evil from his youth,” and when one looks around at the world today, it seems to confirm this verse. Yet Torah assures that as a person matures, the good within him develops and he can overcome negative character traits by following God’s commandments.

Discover what’s most important in conveying life’s values to our children.

An overview of the theories of education articulated by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi and Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, and of the educational philosophy of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, respectively the first, sixth and seventh rebbes of Chabad-Lubavitch.

Reflecting on her life work as an educator on campus, on cutting edge technology, and on the central image of the educator in Chabad's theological teachings, a veteran shluchah gets to the heart of how our own lives transform the lives of others.

Jewish educator, Rabbi Shmuel Lew, gives an overview of "Principals of Education and Guidance," a treatise by the sixth Rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson. Rabbi Lew explains how the sixth Rebbe's book served as the basis for the educational approach of his successor, the seventh Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson. (Presented at the Chabad and the Academy Conference at The University of Pennsylvania.)

Judaic scholar, Dr. Aryeh Solomon, conducted five years of intensive research into the writings of the late Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson. Solomon's research resulted in the first systematic analysis of Rabbi Schneerson's educational philosophy conducted according to strict academic criteria. Here he presents his findings highlighting key themes throughout the work of the Rebbe. (Presented at the Chabad and the Academy Conference at The University of Pennsylvania.)

Viewing the Rebbe RaShaB's mystical teachings as an educational initiative for producing students who would go on to defy Communist oppression and challenge American Jewish apathy.

A child shouldn’t be expected to be a miniature replica of his parent. Individual character traits need to be honed and channeled.

Do you view our world as a place of cumbersome burdens or a place of magical opportunities?

While Jewish education is all about active participation, the mitzvah of Mikvah is a private act. Both are essential for Jewish survival.

A master educator shares personal guidance from the Rebbe.

Torah education is the foundation of Jewish life and our people’s continuity. Beyond promoting Jewish education for children on a macro level, how is this campaign relevant to everyone as individuals? In exploring the mitzvah of sharing Torah with others, we are empowered to be beacons of influence to our fellow Jews.

The assassination attempt on President Reagan's life proves that poverty cannot be blamed as the true source of crime. Crime comes from a deeper source.

The best way to heal illness is through preventive measures. The disease of crime is a reality, but recognizing that it is real should bring about real change. The education system must reorient itself to stop this disease before it manifests. We are not calling for a "new" resolution, but rather a return to the values accepted by the citizens of this country and by all nations.

When it came to the Menorah in the Holy Temple, the commandment was to light it anew every day; and to light it, as Rashi says, “until the flame could rise up on its own.”

Parents are never satisfied to provide their children with the minimum, or even the average. For their own needs a father or mother might settle for less, but for their children they want only the greatest and the best they can provide. If this is so with food and clothing, which are quite temporary, how much more so when it comes to a child’s spiritual education, which impacts the rest of his or her entire life.

Jewish Federations play a valiant role in the collection of funds for Jewish causes worldwide. With this comes the enormous responsibility of allocating the funds appropriately.

The Talmud teaches: “Let that man be remembered for good, and Rabbi Yehoshua ben Gamla is his name. Until he came, only children with fathers had the opportunity to study Torah, whereas orphans did not. But Rabbi Yehoshua established Torah schools in every province and city for all children, even as young as six and seven.”

“Great responsibility brings with it great powers from Above. May you succeed to ‘Educate the child according to his way...’ and merit to see the promise ‘...even as an adult, he will never stray from it.’”

During the slavery of the Jewish people in ancient Egypt, Pharaoh’s harshest decree was that every male child born, be drowned in the Nile.

He spoke about the imperative to provide Jewish children with an authentic Torah education, even under communist rule.

The great merit of teaching Jewish children Torah and performance of mitzvos will surely bring blessings.

Those responsible for allocating communal funds must make some difficult decisions about how the money should best be spent.

When one looks at the world today, one sees increasing crime as well as unprecedented friction between various segments in society.

Every child has natural born traits, some positive, some negative. As the child grows and develops, it is the parent’s sacred duty to reinforce the positive ones, and address the negative ones.

Rabbi Yaakov Roth is an educator and teacher Miami, Florida. From time to time, he would have his young students send letters to the Rebbe. The Rebbe’s thoughtful responses were touching and inspiring. (Early 1970s)

In 1976, as part of his campaign for Jewish education, the Rebbe selected twelve fundamental Torah passages for every Jewish boy and girl.

Throughout the summer months, it is customary to study Pirkei Avos - Ethics of Our Fathers. In this talk to women and girls entering the field of education, the Rebbe uses the first mishna of the tractate to lay the foundation for success as a teacher.

In the United States, there is much debate about the separation of government and religion.

At the first possible opportunity, we begin teaching our young about their precious heritage. And while the obligation to educate our children only begins once they reach the age of five or six, there is much we can teach them even before then.

When it comes to Jewish education, some parents ask, “What’s the rush? When our child learns right from wrong, and matures a little, then we’ll teach him about his heritage. It can wait until he is at least able to understand that he is part of the chosen people, and different to others.”

Faced with the prospect of their baby boys being killed by the Egyptians, the Jews in Egypt followed the lead of Amram, the father of Moses, in flouting Pharaoh's decrees and continuing to have children. These young boys would become the generation to leave the bondage in Egypt and perceive revealed G-dliness at the splitting of the Red Sea.

How many times does every parent ask him or herself: “Am I giving my child the very best that’s out there?” Here, the Rebbe argues that “the best” is not just wishful thinking, it’s an obligation.

Rabbi Osher Ehrenreich has served as dean of Bais Yaakov High School for Girls in the Boro Park section of Brooklyn for over six decades. In 1968, he and a group of supporters had an audience with the Rebbe.

An hour-long excerpt from a 1981 satellite broadcast of the Rebbe’s pre-Passover gathering on the occasion of his 79th birthday (Nissan 11, 5741).

An hour-long excerpt from a televised gathering with the Rebbe’s in 1981. In this talk the Rebbe focuses on the topic of education and the urgent need for children to be raised with the knowledge of a Higher Being, an “eye that sees and ear that hears” everything they do.

It’s nice to be nice … until something of vital importance is at stake. (“Parsha Perks” with Dr Michael Chighel | Vayigash)

Jewish ‘binging’ is the way to teach our kids the values of life.

The quarterback always throws the ball ahead of the receiver. What can we learn from this to become better teachers and parents?

An alternate reading into the Torah’s words related to the mitzvah of separating challah provides instruction on when to begin educating our youth in yiddishkeit.

The goal of education and the role of the educator is hinted to in the Hebrew word for education, chinuch.

A closer look at the Hebrew word Horim (parent/instructor)

Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz (1565 – 1630) is famous for his Shnei Luchut HaBrit (Shelah), and helped bring mystical themes into mainstream Jewish life by incorporating them into his ethical, moral and educational teachings.

What are the most essential principles for transmitting a strong Jewish identity to our children and grandchildren? What changes can we implement in our homes that will really make a difference in the long run? Doron Kornbluth presents five simple rules from his book Raising Kids to Love Being Jewish.

Jewish culture has always expected that even Jewish laypeople be well-versed in their religion.

Rabbi Shneur Zalman, founder of the Chabad school of Chasidism, uses the Sefirot to describe the relationship between teacher and student. Using practical examples, Dr. Loewenthal shows how this model has been applied by Chabad leadership in the modern era.

Rabbi Yaffe leads a discussion with a group of academics and rabbis at a conference for studying the teachings of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson of righteous memory. He focuses on the emphasis placed by the Rebbe on teaching Jewish children to follow Jewish "minhagim" (customs).

How powerful memories from attending a Chabad camp in my youth influenced my world of education.

Chassidus teaches that throughout the month of Elul the Almighty is “unusually accessible” to every Jew as He displays “a smiling countenance and receives everyone with grace and favor.” Then, why are we not enjoined to be joyous?! In answering the question, this talk addresses the obligation to educate children, and reveals a unique kind of joy that lies at the core of the preparatory days of Elul. (Sefer HaSichos 5748, Shoftim)

“The L‑rd said to Moses: Speak to the Kohanim, the sons of Aaron, and say to them . . .” (Leviticus 21:1) What is the difference between “speak to them” and “say to them”? In Hebrew these two words are “emor” and “amarta”—the first is spelled aleph-mem-reish, while the other is spelled aleph-mem-reish-tav, the only difference being the letter tav. This additional letter symbolizes the difference between a theoretical lesson and a hands-on educational experience.

This week's portion tells the kohanim (priests) that they must educate their children to keep the detailed laws of ritual purity binding upon the priestly families. What is the Torah teaching us about the obligation to educate our children?

All the rules and restrictions of Torah seem to present a challenge in imparting to our kids an excitement for Judaism. Explore useful ideas and techniques based on teachings from the parsha.

Discover three powerful lessons in raising our children to be a mensch (an upright person), which are alluded to in the first verse of the parsha.

Stories are central to the Jewish experience. Why do we tell stories? What do they represent?

This class discusses why it’s so important to give kids a proper Jewish education and offers perspectives on what contributes to a healthy and strong education.

An inspiring story with the Rebbe Rashab as a young child, affords us incredible instruction in how we can educate a Jewish child today. (Based on Likutei Sichos vol. 15 Vayeira – Cheshvan 20)

A story with the Rebbe Rashab gives us a revolutionary approach to childhood education in connecting to Hashem.

We wish parents that they will have "nachas", Jewish pride, from their children. Yet, raising children today can be challenging. Here is some Torah guidance for parents.

Why don’t we have a documented account of Moshe’s progeny like by all our other biblical greats?

Rabbi Enan and Gitty Francis speak about education, anxiety, self-care, raising whole and healthy children, and challenges of our times.

What is the role of the Jewish mother in raising and educating her children? How does this differ from the role of the father? Guest Expert: Chana Weisberg. (From “Messages”—Season 4, Episode 16)

During summer, schools and yeshivahs may close for vacation, but Judaism and Torah study must never cease, as they are our very source of life and vitality. (From “Messages”—Season 2, Episode 11)

The Rebbe speaks on utilizing the energy of children (August 7, 1985)

The Rebbe speaks on the foundations of education (September 13, 1983)

Once a child is physically and emotionally well, she will be more open to ideas of personal and spiritual growth.

When confronted with a challenge, teach your child to ask direct questions like "what can we do to solve this problem?" and "how can we get this obstacle out of our way?"

The greatest motivation is a taste of success.

An environment filled with laughter and light moments will be more conducive to growth.

Set the stage for success by setting concrete steps to catch children before they fall.

Here's how to help children rationalize their emotions and work on solutions.

Bad things make more noise, but we need to make a concerted effort to see and pay attention to all the positive things.

As a rabbinic student at 770, Rabbi Aaron Cousin joined his colleagues in working under the New York State "Released time" program, which allows Public School students to receive religious instruction.

Education comes in many forms: First and foremost is to provide a living example. The best way to influence someone is by practicing what you preach. As we approach Passover, the call of the hour is to seek out those who cannot afford the holiday expenses and provide all that they need.

Rabbi Moshe Naparstek, who serves on the faculty of Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim in Kfar Chabad, Isreal, was surprised when during an audience, the Rebbe volunteered advice on the correct approach to education. More than just sound advice, it was a solution to his dilemma. (1960's)

When your children see you following G-d, they will emulate you. A mother has even greater influence in educating children than a father.

For children, summer vacation is a welcome break from school. For parents and those responsible for their Jewish education, it is an opportunity not to be missed.

Long before his bar mitzvah, the Previous Rebbe was already preoccupied with doing acts of kindness. At age eleven he established a free-loan fund, allowing him to help the needy in a dignified manner.

Rabbi Eliezer Nisilevitch recalls the dangers his family faced in the Soviet Union as members of the Jewish underground, and the strength and direction they received from the Rebbe even after they had succeeded in emigrating to Israel. (1971)

All important things need preparation, and education is certainly no exception. We need not wait to respond to our children; by being proactive, we can be sure that they’re properly engaged. This is especially true by the Passover Seder. Much of the ritual that surrounds the Passover Seder involves the participation of our children. By properly preparing, all our children, no matter their personalities, can feel welcome and involved.

May all of your students be educated in a manner befitting the Holy Land. To educate others you need to be healthy -- both mentally as well as physically. (Collage)

In the mid-1970s, Rabbi Gershon Burkis was a member of the Religious Council in the city of Lod, Israel. With a number of children in their schools reaching the age for reading books, he decided to do something about the dearth of quality Jewish educational reading. With blessings and direction from the Rebbe, the Machanayim collection was born.

The Rebbe held a discussion with Robert F. Kennedy, in which he advocated for value-based education.