SA
TA Boys’ High welcomes two shluchim
They blew into Johannesburg like a fresh spring breeze – “JJ” (Yaakov Yehuda) Duchman and Mendel Zaltzman, two young men who reinstated the Torah Academy shluchim project – mentors of learners at the TA Boys’ High School. They are the first shluchim to arrive here after a five-year hiatus in the programme.
SUZANNE BELLING
PHOTOGRAPH SUPPLIED
Pictured :Rabbi Yossi Chaikin, principal of Torah Academy Boys’ High School, with newly-arrived shluchim Mendel Zaltzman and “JJ” Duchman (right) who are mentoring the Boys’ High School learners.
“We look forward to creating a warm environment and to be acting as ‘big brothers’ to thelearners, instilling energy and passion by creating something extra-special in the school framework,” they say.
The two say they look at youth “not as the leaders of tomorrow, but as the leaders of today”.
They have already implemented programmes to enhance the learners’ feel for Judaism, with the aim of making them “proud to be Jews”. They have started a Facebook page (TABHS Shluchim), Sunday entertainment programmes, learning sessions and imparting their own knowledge to the learners.
“JJ” hails from California, where his father runs a shul for children in the heart of Hollywood, attracting those who rub shoulders with the stars – and some of the stars themselves. So “JJ” is well-versed in interacting with young people.
Although Mendel was born in the US, he hails from Toronto, Canada, where he has lived since early childhood.
The two are among 250 talmidim hashluchim, or emissaries of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who travel to communities, schools and yeshivas throughout the world, bringing with them the spirit of Lubavitch Chabad.
“We look forward to inspiring the youth of South Africa,” Mendel and ‘JJ’, said.