Kinus Sofrim

My wife Debbie and I were invited to speak at this year’s gala conference hosted for Chabad women who are educators in schools and outposts around the world. This is a program of Lubavitch, the eleventh annual one of this sort, and part of a program which was initiated fifty years ago.

The program was exemplary in many, many ways. Firstly, it was very well organized. Each time slot was accounted for, and the 800+ participants were given an array of keynote addresses and workshops to attend. The programs ran quite promptly, the vast majority of attendees arrived at each seminar punctually and enthused, and the interactions between speakers and audience were conducted with decorum and openness. I speak at conferences frequently and the fun of being together with old friends and acquaintances often is more tempting than attending the programs. People stand in the hall in conversation or trickle into the workshops late, at their own pace. This was not the case at this Kinus. The lecture rooms filled up quite rapidly, the participants participated, and the program was choreographed effectively.

The range of workshops was impressive. There were seminars for those who teach young children and those who work with higher grades. There were programs on tools and techniques for instruction, and skills for broadening minds and spirits. There were presentations on psychological and social issues pertaining to students and also to educators, and on synthesizing the secular and religious curricula. Some speakers focused on dealing with parents, while others addressed the challenges that schools face, such as dealing with crisis, grief, or trauma, or the stresses that can affect teachers. Programs specific to principals and directors were offered for all institutional grade levels. Creative courses and health promotion were also included. There were workshops about technology and AI.

As can be expected at a program orchestrated by Chabad, there were “farbrengens” as well, led by highly accomplished rabbinic leaders from that Chassidus, as well as by popular leaders from within the international Chabad sisterhoods. The conference ran for two days and provided a retreat and a stimulating experience for all, including those of us who spoke that were not part of the Chabad movement.

What is my point in discussing this within my column? I have two points. First, let’s appreciate all the ongoing training and coursework that teachers and educators must take upon themselves to properly educate our children. We expect them to be knowledgeable and to keep up with the times. This event accomplished that and helped to assure parents that their children are guided by professional educators who know and value their work. My second point is that all of us can take to heart the importance of ongoing education: we do not have to be teachers to “go back to school.” Parents too can benefit greatly by seeking out workshops and seminars to improve their communication with their young children to help them feel seen and heard at home, and to collaborate with their spouse on raising their children to face the challenges that modern life brings to the home, the community, and the classroom. If it was up to me, every Jewish school would offer an array of workshops for parents throughout the academic year run by appropriate professionals. In some cases, these life skills are mandatory.

For those who wonder what we did at the Kinus, my wife presented on healthy boundaries and relationships for abuse prevention, and on establishing a healthy conduct code in the school. My keynote address was on helping teachers balance relationship-building with boundary maintenance and my workshops were on resilience, coping, and stabilizing schools and classrooms following crisis and trauma.

As we embark on a new school year, it’s important for parents and educators to be refreshed, recharged, and prepared to tackle the challenges ahead and to ensure that each child has the tools and support at home to achieve their full potential. 

Rabbi Dr. Dovid Fox is a forensic and clinical psychologist, and director of Chai Lifeline Crisis Services. To contact Chai Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis helpline, call 855-3-CRISIS or email [email protected]. Learn more at ChaiLifeline.org/crisis.