By COLlive reporter
The modest yet towering figure of Rebbetzin Rochel Schochet OBM has been a source of inspiration and counsel for many in the Chabad community in Los Angeles and beyond for over 40 years.
Exuding warmth and genuine concern while emphasizing the importance of yiras shamayim, davening and tznius, she implanted in her students true pride in living as Bnos Melech.
Her tragic passing 2 years ago will not put an end to that positive influence.
COLlive.com has learned that her daughter, Mrs. Hadassa Spalter, an educator known for her dynamism and strong command of the classroom, is opening up a new Chabad girls’ seminary in Los Angeles.
The new Ohel Sara Institute of Higher Learning is named after the late Rebbetzin Sara Rochel Schochet OBM, wife of Rabbi Ezra Schochet, the revered Rosh Yeshivas Ohr Elchanan Chabad.
“Ohel Sara will provide the nurturing soil in which the deeply-held values that Rebbetzin Schochet dedicated her life to, can take root in students and enable them to build their futures on a solid foundation,” Spalter said.
She said, “there is a pressing need for additional top-of-the-line seminaries, and what better place to establish one than in our already flourishing community?”
Spalter will be the seminary’s principal, with Chanie Pinson serving as educational director. Both are committed to a solid, genuine, yet well-rounded seminary experience.
“The main objective of the seminary is in fact to help facilitate the privilege and responsibility of leadership that was entrusted to our girls,” Pinson told COLlive.com.
Pinson said her upbringing in Crown Heights, experiencing the Rebbe‘s farbrengens, sichos and dollars of the late 80s and early 90s is her inspiration.
“The Rebbe really empowered us women to be leaders in our own homes and in our communities,” says Pinson, former Principal of General Studies at Cheder Menachem and Navi teacher at Bais Chana high school, both in Los Angeles.
Distinguished Rabbonim and top educators in California have already signed on to join the staff to provide both the scholarship and the mentoring that a young adult needs to thrive.
Among them are the Valley’s Head Shliach Rabbi Yehoshua Gordon, posek Rabbi Yosef Shusterman, Rabbi Moshe Kesselman of congregation Shaarei Tefilla, Rabbi Reuven Wolf of Maayon Yisroel Chassidic Center and Rabbi Dov Wagner of Chabad at USC.
Also joining are Devorie Kreiman, former principal of Bais Rebbe Junior High School in Los Angeles, lecturer and counselor Chana Rachel Schusterman, veteran teacher Sara Shusterman and school psychologist Devora Zheutlin.
Chabad girls who would otherwise travel to Israel for the seminary experience are promised fabulous California trips, Shabbatons and Farbrengens that will enrich their lives.
The beauty of Southern California, the year-round sunshine, the proximity to the mountains, ocean and desert might also be a draw.
“We are the second largest Jewish community in the United States with Shuls, Mikvaos, Yeshivas and Kosher restaurants in abundance,” Spalter points out.
“We will be recreating Eretz Yisroel here with our fabulous program,” Pinson states.
For more info, visit http://laseminary.com/.
AGREED!!!!!!
This seminary is rather cheap compared to others, and in addition you can get scholarships, which can take off a few thousand. Compared to Israel, this is not expensive! So im not sure what all the complaining is about. :/
After seeing everyone complaning (yet again) about the high cost of the seminary, I went to the website to check the price. $9,900 is extremely cheap. There is no seminary in existence that is that cheap. Go find something else to complain about.
California is a great place! There is a need for more Lubavitch seminaries! LA is filled with great teachers and Rabbis! This will IMYH be a success!
All three boards and committees look really impressive. you should have much Hatzlacha.
Yay mommy!!!!!!!
best principal teachel and mother ever!!!!!!!!!!
although Israel has a lot of years that they are in existence, they also don’t have high costs. The salaries and food etc, are way lower than in America and especially Los Angeles.
The asking Tuiton price is way too high for a beginning start up seminary. What they are quoting is what 15 year old seminaries are quoting. No one is saying they should drastically reduce..however, I think the first year you charge at least $3,000 or $4,000 cheaper and prove yourself.
For an ISRAEL seminary you have a Masa Grant plus your local federation money and other avenues to help a parent reduce some of the tuition..I don’t think these opportunities apply to a U.S.A. seminary. (if I’ve got the wrong info. please let me know)
Hatzlacha Rabba!
go 12th graders this year :-)!!
go Uncle Ezra!!!
http://observer.com/2012/09/brooklyn-is-the-second-most-expensive-place-to-live-in-the-u-s/
where is the location of the seminary in los angeles?
cost of anything in LA is very high to keep up with,and if you look at the website, there is an application form for scholarships
everything about the program looks absolutely amazing, but the tuition is really high… we crown heights parents are absolutely thrilled that there is another good option to consider for our daughters, but i wish it would be more affordable… are there any scholarships available?
Lots of exclamation marks in all of the above comments!!!!!!!!! That being said, the more seminaries, the better; we need more competition. However, lets see those prices come down just a bit…
what age does it start from??
My daughter had Chanie Pinson as a teacher these past few years…she is AMAZING! and personable and understands teens. I feel blessed !!!
Im sure you have read the article, im sure they are planning fun, but they told ppl they are intent on a top serious program, and so i guess if its not for you, think elsewehre
besides an amazing group of teachers, click on ‘board members’ on the website. GREAT BOARDS as well!!!!
This is so exciting! Wish this seminary was around when i needed a fun filled place to go.
Where will the dorm be? Where is the location of the seminary?
The teachers that you have are beyond amazing!!! About time someone thought of a such an amazing idea!
I live in LA and know all of these teachers. BEYOND AMAZING! There arent any words to describe how amazing they are. LA is an amazing plcae to be and live especially when you are in a Chassidishe atmosphere.
Mrs pinson was my teacher, great person!
Okay, to #14 about mrs Lerner, she’s very knowledgeable and sweet _ I do not suggest her as a teacher for 18 year olds. im talking from expeience!
*** The Tzemach Tzeddek actually said that
Be sure to get someone like Mrs. Lerner on staff to train students in education. These are the future mothers of our nation.
I am very impressed with your line up of teachers! Finally a seminary who put thought into there teachers!
the Rebe Said MACH DO ERETZ YSROEL
Fruma Y
my third grade teacher!!! all ur students luv u
It say FOR MORE INFO GO TO LASEMINARY.COM And if the answer to your question is not there. Then contact them. It’s that simple.
And, it’s bound to be a great seminary. I know everyone involved and I live in LA – amazing community.
And #7, thank you for clarrifying, you are 100% correct.
Does anyone know when it’s opening ?
This sounds like it will be the top seminary to
Go to!!! Lucky girls, what a line-up!
LA girls happen to be super tznius…check the track record. Better than crown heights!!!
Will the sem offera 6 week trip to Israel?
Go dov!!!!!!
Will it open in September 2013???
The cost????
How many girls???
Dormitory or small apartments???
Less than 3 months when we have to register our daughter for sem.
Hatzlochah Raba, May it go from strengh to strengh.
about time! London – were next – come on!
THIS IS THE BEST SEMINARY IN THE WORLD BUT BE CAREFUL GIRLS WILL COME OUT BEING TZNIUS AND ENJOYING IT!!!!!!!!!