Pele Yoetz Center Hosts Annual Summit for Talmudei Torah Administrators

The annual conference hosted by the Association of Educational Directors, an important initiative by Pele Yoetz Center, has quickly become a landmark event for educational leaders in Yerushalayim. Dozens of administrators assemble for these successful conferences to discuss a wide range of topics relevant to contemporary chinuch, brainstorm for solutions to pressing issues, and together, arrive at practical decisions and resolutions. In the past two years, many of these ideas have been immediately implemented within the walls of Talmudei Torah in Yerushalayim, driving the progress, advancement and success of hundreds of talmidim.

It’s no surprise, then, that this year's third annual conference saw high demand, with many menahalim reserving their spots well in advance. Held on Sunday, the 10th of Tammuz, 5785 (July 6, 2025), at the Har Gilo Conference Center, the event brought together thirty menahalim for an inspiring day of deep discussion about the most urgent chinuch challenges of the day.

The Conference was graced by the presence of Hagaon Harav Dovid Levy shlit"a, Nasi of Pele Yoetz; Rabbi Eliyahu Schindler shlit"a, founder and patron of Pele Yoetz’s flagship "Al Pi Darko" project – a unique initiative assigning professionally-guided tutor and mentors to students with learning challenges; and Pele Yoetz directors and department heads.

Masterfully emceeing the event was Rabbi Nesanel Tefilinsky shlit"a, a Pele Yoetz board member, who guided the program with exceptional warmth and insight. He warmly commended the attendees for their unwavering commitment to the conferences, noting the immense benefit they gain from participating year after year.

The conference opened with a moving address by Pele Yoetz’s CEO, Rabbi Menachem Sheinberger shlit"a. He spoke passionately about Al Pi Darko's vital mission, describing its work as much more than a tool to facilitate academic success, and as an essential force of hatzalas nefashos and saving future generations.

He drew a powerful lesson from the passuk, "V'es hanefesh asher asu b'Charan," which praises Avraham Avinu and Sarah Imeinu for drawing new souls close to Hashem. "If the Torah praises our ancestors for kiruv rechokim," he contended, "how much greater is our responsibility for kiruv kerovim, strengthening our own precious children, sons of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov who need our help? By committing our efforts to ensure that our children are empowered to proudly carry the mesorah, we surely bring immense nachas to Hakadosh Baruch Hu."

Rabbi Sheinberger concluded by expressing profound gratitude to Rabbi Eliyahu Schindler, whose vision launched the Al Pi Darko project seven years ago. "We could never have achieved such wonderful results without Rabbi Schindler's unwavering guidance and support from day one," he concluded to a round of heartfelt applause.

Next Pele Yoetz’s dedicated office manager Rabbi Shimon Rechtshafer shlit"a offered a brief presentation regarding the organization’s impressive growth since its inception. He showed compelling data manifesting the tangible impact of the previous conference, as well as the many new programs that were implemented as a direct result of last year's session. He ended by expressing his hope that, once again, participants will leave equipped with a fresh toolkit of wise counsel and practical strategies to implement in their respective schools.

The keynote address was delivered by Hagaon Harav Dovid Levy shlit"a who emphasized the critical importance of early intervention for students with academic or emotional difficulties. He stressed the need for timely professional diagnosis and meaningful support that not only helps the child today but is also a game-changer in life that impacts his future generations, as well.

"In our generation," Rav Levy expressed poignantly, "when we are, baruch Hashem, blessed with a deeper and more professional understanding of chinuch, and we are empowered with the vital tool of skilled mentors through programs like those involved in Al Pi Darko, we simply cannot afford to give up on any student! Every single child has the potential to flourish and succeed far beyond our expectations. It’s both a responsibility and a privilege, and with Hashem's help, we’ll succeed."

Rabbi Avraham Vitman shlit"a, director of Al Pi Darko, then offered a comprehensive overview of the initiative's guidelines, as well as its remarkable track record. He presented the menahalim with important diagnostic tools to help them identify students who would benefit most from the program, and highlighted the extensive professional training that mentors receive before beginning their work. In conclusion, he challenged all attendees by calling for deeper collaboration between the schools and Pele Yoetz in order to nurture the next generation of talmidim.

A major theme of the day was parental partnership, a message powerfully articulated by the renowned mechanech, Hagaon Harav Yisrael Iram shlit"a, Mashgiach of Yeshivas Be'er Yaakov. The Mashgiach stressed that the advancement of a struggling child and his journey to success is intrinsically linked to his parents' active involvement and support, which are crucial components of the learning process.

The audience also heard powerful testimonials from the front lines, delivered by Rabbi Shalom Donat shlit"a, Menahel of Talmud Torah Machnovka; and Rabbi Meir Eichler shlit"a, Menahel of Talmud Torah of Slonim in Yerushalayim. Their words were filled with invaluable, hard-won wisdom from their personal experiences hosting Al Pi Darko branches in their own schools. In the course of their speeches, they thanked Pele Yoetz for creating a forum where they can meet to discuss and resolve the key issues they face, truly fulfilling the words of the pasuk: "Az nidberu yirei Hashem ish el rei'ehu... vayakshev Hashem vayishma. Then those who fear Hashem spoke to one another, and Hashem listened and heard..."

The day concluded with heartfelt closing remarks by Rabbi Eliyahu Schindler, the project’s patron, who traveled from the United States specifically for the event. Rabbi Schindler thanked everyone involved and expressed his passionate commitment to expanding the project's reach across the Torah community in Eretz Yisrael.

“When I see the data," he shared emotionally, "which shows how we’ve helped save hundreds of talmidim, giving them a renewed sense of purpose and a chance to flourish in their learning, my heart expands in joy. Seeing this vision transformed into a reality only strengthens my resolve do even more."

The Third Conference of the Association of Educational Directors in Yerushalayim was graciously sponsored by Machon KaMaSH (Kriah Meduyeket V'Shotefet) – The Center for Treating Children with Reading Difficulties. The Center also generously gifted every participant with a screening and diagnostic kit to help identify reading difficulties.

At the end of the conference, the inspired attendees dispersed with sentiments of satisfaction and spiritual elevation, expressing their hopes to implement many of the ideas and tips that they gained at the Conference within the classrooms and halls of their Talmudei Torah.