A month ago, a call went out to the Chabad community to recognize and honor our teachers with Chinuch Awards, an award handed out by the Menachem Education Foundation in Crown Heights.
The response from the community was overwhelming and unanimous: our teachers hold an incredible, inspiring and strong position in our community as they change the lives of those they teach. Hundreds of nominations poured in from around the globe to recognize one woman and one man who are exceptional in the field of Chinuch.
The task of sifting through the nominations and choosing finalists was “incredibly difficult”, says nominations coordinator, Mrs. Chana Rose.
“There were so many dedicated teachers who were nominated and they were all deserving of credit,” Rose continues. In the end, five finalists were chosen from an initial group of twenty semi-finalists. “The narrowed down group were all great teachers, but we feel that the finalists are true legends in their field.”
While some teachers received multiple nominations, nominees were considered by the quality of the submissions, with a committee of expert mechanchos carefully reviewing and vetting each nomination.
The women’s judging panel included: Mrs. C. Altein, Beis Rivka, Crown Heights, Mrs. S. Shapiro, Bnos Menachem, Crown Heights, Mrs. G. Newman, Bais Chaya Mushka, Los Angeles, and Mrs. B. Landa, Bais Chomesh, Toronto.
An impartial team from MEF constructed anonymous profiles of each of the finalists, describing their accomplishments while withholding identifying information, so the judges can vote blindly and choose the eventual winner of the Chinuch award based solely on merit.
With much deliberation, thought and excitement we present to you the five women finalists of the Chinuch Awards, chosen for their ability to bring the Vision for Chabad Schools to life for their students.
Finalists:
1. Morah Henny Bartfield, grade 2, Hebrew Academy of Margate, Florida
2. Morah Chanale Chanin, grade 12, Bnos Chomesh, Crown Heights
3. Morah Miriam Gerber, grades 2/3, Cheder Chabad of Philadelphia
4. Morah Nechama Tauber, grade 5, Lubavitch Educational Center, Florida
5. Morah Baylie Vail, grade 1, Bais Rivka, Crown Heights
Honorable mentions:
1. Morah Chaya Kramer, Bnos Menachem
2. Morah Shulamis Rothman,Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh
3. Morah Esther Zeidman, Cheder Lubavitch Morristown
4. Morah Esther Polter, Bnos Menachem
5. Morah Fruma Shapiro, Ohel Chana High School, LA
With just over a week to decide who will be honored with the 5776 Chinuch Award, the judging panel has their work cut out for them. Rose says the judges are “awed by the quality of each finalist” and are ultimately inspired and humbled by the entire awards process.
To learn more about each of the finalists please visit mymef.org/news daily for a more in depth bio. The greater community is invited to join the Chinuch community for a special awards ceremony and Chinuch Banquet honoring Mechanchim on Sunday, July 10th, Daled Tammuz.
Reservations can be made at mymef.org/kinus. For more information, please visit: www.mymef.com/kinus
Should be extended to Rebbe’s too as we hear only horrible things as of late. Thank You for this wonderful initiative keep it up!!!
go Bayil Vail
All your students know you are the best!!!!!!!
I got smicha and I lain pretty good also and It all started in your class. Thank you and i hope u win.
Chanale is amazing!
Wouldn’t agree more
Thank you morah baily for your dedication!
Definitely the best. Just graduated and will never forget her
Most energetic and amazing teacher!!!
I remember when you taught on the west side. I remember our train rides home. I remember the day you told me you were going on shlichus to Florida. You were a great teacher back then. Sounds like you haven’t lost your touch. I can’t believe it’s been close to a quarter century since then. Mechuyil el Chuyil!
Morah bartfield was my favorite teacher! She taught me so much about yidishkiet and acquiring a love for torah and mitvos. She cared for and loved every single student in her calss and helped them grow in every way possible.Her fun and creative ways of teaching us how to read still stay with me today! Go morah bartfield your the best i really hope you win this competition you really deserve it!
You must be totally unaware that that’s exactly what these teachers does in their free time. Thank you so much Baylie! -a teacher who learned from you how to teach!
And to all the finalists! Nechama is so creative and loving to not only her class but special programs for all of Lubavitch Education Center. The whole Miami community benefits! Thanks for your dedication and devotion.
As a preschool Morah I am so please to finally see recognition being given to female teachers! Thank you! Mazel Tov to all the awardees.
Thank you so much for all your hard work you put into Bais rivkah!!
GO BAIS RIVKAH!!!
Would love if these amazing teachers would spend a year at a school with not so amazing teachers and show them how to do the job well.
Yay, Chanale!!!!!!!! Love, Ditza and the kids 🙂
Morah Baylie is the most amazing ,and caring Morah
she i s
I would add Mrs. Brickman (moskowitz)
BH so beautiful to see Henny Bartfied being recognized. She is an exceptional teacher! Warmest regards from Jerusalem, Nechama Dina
Morah Miriam Gerber, grades 2/3, Cheder Chabad of Philadelphia Is number one. Just saying …
We were privileged enough to have Mrs. Tauber as our daughters teacher this year. She is a true example of what an educator should be!!
is the epitome of Bittul. Although she has taught for so many years and has such vast experience in the field of Chinuch, she is always open to new ideas and new ways. I have learnt so much from your humility! What a well deserved honor!
couldn’t be a more deserving candidate for the title of ‘best teacher’. A teacher who has so much more than the acquisition of skills on her agenda. My children benefited so much in the way of critical and creative thinking from this amazing morah. Happy to see her recognised among the best.
Mrs Gerber is an absolute gem, what she has created and continues to do in that school for her students, for her colleagues is simply outstanding.
She’s listed as a teacher of grade 2/3 but that doesn’t even come close to what she is to our Cheder.
We feel very fortunate to have her in our lives.
Thank you MEF for recognizing her as she deserves.
No surprise to see your name up there!! We knew it all along😊
Mrs tauber is an amazing teacher!! she’s super creative and nice!! we all love her!!! Mazal tov!!!
So proud that these teachers are in our community. And that there is an award that recognizes them. Go Lubavitch! Catchy headline!
Can someone put a name to each face of the teachers shown?
Thanks and kol hakavod to all the teachers who put their souls into their teaching. You change lives. May Hashem bless you!
She has been teaching for probably 30 years and even her students from that long ago still remember how much she cared for them and how creative she was in bringing their learning to life!
They all look so Aidel and Tzniusdic.
So happy the good teachers are being recognized. Just being nominated is a nice accomplishment.
Congrats to all and keep up the good work. 💝
As a mother of a student in Bnos Chomesh I can attest to the fact that Chanale Chanin is not only an amazing teacher, she is a true mechanach. Chanale cares deeply about every girl, helping them reach their full potential and making sure they know she is there for them every step of the way. Her nomination is well deserved. Kol HaKovod!
What an honor to be nominated the 1st year. Well deserved!!
What a great group of teachers!
How wonderful to be part of such a positive vibe, teachers truly deserve recognition! So nice to have an opportunity for parents, students & lay people to express their gratitude! Thank you to the organizers at Menachem Education
I have known her all her life. She is an exceptional person. People who did not know that I knew her, have mentioned to me (more than one occasion and more than one person) what an extraordinary teacher she is. This came as no surprise as I personally have seen what she puts into her class. above and beyond.
Lucy
Lubavitch is rich – Chinuch is rich – amazing dedicated people.
I came to Beth Rivkah for a month and what I still remember from her class is outstanding!!! You defiantly deserve it!
People, don’t blow your top because someone you think is the best teacher didn’t win. Just nominate her next year. Or even better…write her a letter and tell her how amazing she is. That’s as good as or better than any award.
It’s so nice to see that people really appreciated the hard work that goes into teaching our kinderlach al taharas hakodesh. Thank you Menachem Education Foundation for the all the initiatives you take on behalf of our schools and in recognizing the power of our teachers.
A true inspiration who taught and inspired coutless students. More notably, Mrs. Gerber has patiently trained countless teachers & counselors working for her in her unique approach to chinuch.
Amazing and well deserved!
Mrs Vail my daughter’s teacher .
She instills yiras Shomayim and Derech Eretz into the children of her class .
She is truly an amazing teacher. My daughter was so lucky to have her the past year.
Hands down Baylie vail is the best.
Your creativity and excellence are finally being recognized. Your love for your students, technological advances and fun-filled initiatives have brought you to the forefront of your profession, where you belong. Hatzlacha raba to a teacher who has instilled a love for learning in thousands of children
Definitely one of my best teachers in my elementary years!!
Congrats. As the mother of one of your students this year this, I can sincerely say you truly deserve this honor. With much appreciation for all your hard work-mg
My daughter was lucky enough to be in Morah Baily’s class and had an amazing year!! She’s a great and caring teacher and person who always goes above and beyond!!!
Shout out to chanale you are the best!!!! <3 your former student
She was my teacher in first grade and middle school. Will always be my favorite 🙂 didn’t know about the contest but she has my vote!! Yahooo!!! Way to go Morah B!!!! $
Morah Bartfield taught my child years ago!! She changed our lives and was so much more than a teacher. Hopefully she will teach our grandchildren too very soon.
I couldn’t be happier to see Morah Bartfield on this list. What an amazing job you have done. Your reputation for being a phenomenal teacher for all is well known.
Amazing Job. So glad my children will have the zechus of having you as a teacher.
there are many, many, many amazing and devoted teachers
The cream of the cream of the crop. Mrs Gerber devoted her entire life to chinuch!
Incredible!! Go miami!!
Morah Bartfield has been the best for years!! We became frum when she taught my child a long time ago. She’s much more than a teacher. She changed our lives and if she sticks around a few more years our grandchildren will be lucky to have Morah Bartfield too! I didnt know about this competition and did not vote but I am happy I opened COL and saw the article. Teachers need more credit.
Morah baily vail
She is the most deserving!!
Go Bailey! You are the absolute best!
The best of the best!
Go Chanale Chanin, your the best.
from your brother Mendy and family
A breath of fresh air. kol hacovod.
Wish I had known about the nominations…so many INCREDIBLE Lubavitch teachers here in Pittsburgh that would be eligible for this award: Rachel Pekkar, Rochel Broocker, Miriam Peltz, Chaya Bassman and so many more.
Morah Chani Brod. She deserves every award.
These woman may be wonderful teachers, but title best teachers in Lubavitch is inappropriate, there are many very excellent teachers, what may be best for one student, is not best for all.