Now it’s official: Cheder Menachem is a groundbreaking success. Pun definitely intended.

That’s because pre-Bar Mitzvah students at Cheder Menachem, the first cheder of its kind in the United States, learn to work with their hands in the good soil while simultaneously exploring new areas of inner growth in ruchniyus and personal responsibility.

Cheder Menachem is a farm school program reminiscent of the classic Chabad Chosid of yesteryear, who parnasah through physical activities and are spiritually counted among our Rebbeim’s finest Chasidim.

The program’s inaugural class, talmidim, learned and gained a wealth of professional skills and experience by working on and around Cheder Menachem’s farm through Elul.

Founder Rabbi Yitzchak Dovid Smith says talmidim “exceed parents’ expectations,” from Seder Chasidus, Chasidishe davenings, and Nigleh shiurim in the mornings to woodworking, light construction/maintenance, and, of course, caring for animals in the afternoons.

Rabbi Smith says: “Some parents have expressed curiosity about whether this can be achieved, but it is actually happening!”

But don’t take it from Rabbi Smith. One positively impressed and amazed mother put it simply: “We are seeing a tremendous change in our son.”

Cheder Menachem is now inviting the larger East Coast Chabad community to consider their programs for their pre-Bar Mitzvah sons who need an unorthodox chinch experience along with a good dose of “TLC” to prepare them socially and emotionally. Mentally and spiritually for the entrance into adulthood.

The program includes a full day of high standard chinch in Nigleh and Chasidus (including a no-tech policy), a wealth of vocational skills training thanks to local farmers and contractors working with Cheder, three healthy (no litter!) meals prepared on site each day and a dormitory under the watchful eye of the house couple, Rabbi and Mrs. Yechiel and Nechama Zirkind, who also serve as sorcerer shiur and cheder cooks, respectively.

“We started using our talmidim, and it was very successful,” Rabbi Smith says proudly. “We are letting parents who are considering alternatives for their sons know that there is an opportunity and time to transition to Cheder Menachem during Tishrei, which will provide lifelong benefits for your Bar Mitzvah-aged son!”

Sign up now! Space is limited. To register or get more information, contact Cheder Menachem of Mount Pleasant at 201-250-5385 or (email protected). You can also visit www.ChederMenachemMP.org.