More than 200 students, parents and teachers from 118 cities from across North America and Europe and as far away as Brisbane, Australia converged on Crown Heights last week for the annual Nigri International Shluchim Online School Day of Celebration.
The International Shluchim Online School, under the leadership and direction of Rabbi Gedalya Shemtov and Devora Leah Notik, hosts a virtual school for children of Shluchim throughout the world; providing them with a robust Chassidishe education in their places of Shlichus.
The joyous celebration serves as a once-a-year opportunity for the students of the Online School to meet each other face to face, interact and socialize outside of the online classroom setting.
The event has become the highlight of the Online School calendar, celebrating friendship, learning, and their special school!
Proudly wearing their name tags, the girls were ushered into the hall by smiling Online School alumni, and the program began with delicious food and a warm welcome by Mrs. Shternie Treitel.
This year, as part of the Celebration, the girls performed class presentations of song, dance and poetry, in tribute to Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka whose Yahrtzeit was marked that day, and in honor of their dear teachers, mothers and fellow friends.
A evening of excitement and exhilaration was packed into program with a beautiful banquet dinner, emotionally meeting classmates and teachers, special video presentations, joyful dancing and a grand roll-call!
“It is incredible to see how deeply connected the children are despite the vast distance between them. The Day of Celebration really infuses a Chayus and a joy in the students and Morahs to continue their Shlichus B’simcha,” said Mrs. Shterna Lewis, Shlucha to Brighton, England. “Not only are the children so deeply connected, but my daughter’s teacher flew in from Israel for two days just to attend the celebration!”
Morah Cirel Swued, from Mexico City, Mexico, addressed the crowd on behalf of her fellow teachers, thanking the parents for entrusting them with the Chinuch of their precious children.
Eighth grade student Tzivie Pink, from Leicester, England, spoke about her amazing experience in the Shluchim Online School and thanked her Morahs for the unique education she receives.
Mrs. Chaya Rivka Schmerling, parent and Shlucha to Venice, FL, greeted the guests and thanked the teachers and staff who made the school possible for her children.
The girls enjoyed a live class session with their Morahs, together in a “real classroom” for the first and only time this year! Mothers connected, shared and traded online school experiences during a memorable session prepared by the Day of Celebration Mothers Committee.
Gathering together for a celebratory group picture, the girls burst into exuberant song, dancing, leaving inspired for another year of learning in their places of Shlichus!
With special thanks to Mrs. Devorah Kasimov, Mrs. Ceita Wilhelm, Rivka Rapoport and the staff at Lubavitcher Yeshiva for making this program possible.
Wow wow wow! Amazing Shluchim Office! It’s so cute to see all the kids meet eachother, some for the first time.
Thank you!
What the Shluchim Online School has created with this day of celebration is incredible Chayus for their students. The program was so well planned thanks to all involved.
Menucha, yay!!! So glad you are having a super time! We miss you so so much here at Chabad in Austin!!! Can’t wait to hear all about it!
Go Mushka Bluming
You are such a fireball of energy and life
Everyone is so proud on how well you did with all your Chidon tests and you continue to amaze
Sara Lent (Nottingham, UK) & Chana Stiefel (Slovakia) <3