Yeshivat Hanoch Lenaar

Hanoch Lenaar (Hebrew: חנוך לנער, "Educate the Youth") is a Chabad-Lubavitch educational network based in Safed (Tzfat), Israel. It was founded by Rabbi Eliezer Vilshansky in 2003 (Hebrew year 5763) as a temporary summer program for a group of boys from the Chabad community in Safed who lacked a suitable yeshiva framework. The initiative grew into a permanent network of institutions that combine religious studies with vocational and professional training, aiming to prevent youth from dropping out of the educational system. The network operates several institutions: Yeshivat Hanoch Lenaar, a yeshiva for boys in grades 8–12; the Chabad Technological Institute (Mechon Torani Technologi), which combines Torah studies with vocational training in electricity and computing for grades 10–12; a rabbinical ordination program that integrates engineering studies with rabbinical certification from the Israeli Chief Rabbinate; and Kerem Chaya Mushka, a high school for girls in grades 9–12 that offers religious studies alongside design arts and confectionery. Together these institutions serve approximately 300–350 students. Hanoch Lenaar's educational approach is based on the recognition that some religious youth are not suited to full-day yeshiva or seminary frameworks, and that alternative frameworks should be provided proactively rather than only after a student has dropped out. The network was among the first to integrate mental health professionals—including a psychiatrist, psychologists, and social workers—directly into the yeshiva setting. It follows the path of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, and is guided by a spiritual administration headed by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Vilshansky and a friends committee led by Professor Shlomo Kalish. The institutions are supported and supervised by various governmental and private bodies, including the New York Federation and the Israel Corporation of Ofer Investments. Over its two decades of activity, Hanoch Lenaar has grown to serve hundreds of students annually, with more than 1,000 graduates successfully integrated into the workforce and establishing Chabad homes. The network has won awards for its social climate and educational excellence, and its students have achieved high results in external examinations in both religious and technological subjects.

Hanoch Lenaar was founded by Rabbi Eliezer Vilshansky in the Hebrew year 5763 (2003). Its establishment was inspired by a letter from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, regarding boys who are unable to study in a full-day yeshiva framework. The initiative began in the summer of 5763 when Rabbi Vilshansky gathered a group of boys from the Chabad community in Safed who lacked any suitable yeshiva framework and began teaching them a weekly Torah lesson. The boys expressed feelings of abandonment by the yeshiva world and the lack of a framework suited to their needs. Rabbi Vilshansky proposed creating a temporary summer framework combining Torah study and agriculture, during which alternatives would be examined. In Iyar 5763, the temporary framework was established in the yard of his home and operated by Einav and Safi, Chabad members from the settlement of Yesud HaMa'ala. Planned to last two weeks, it actually continued for two and a half months. Meanwhile, inquiries arrived from parents of boys without frameworks from Safed and beyond, and the need for a permanent, unique framework was recognized. In the 5764 school year, after the temporary summer framework ended, the first educational institution of the Hanoch Lenaar network was officially established, with Rabbi Eliezer Vilshansky serving as head of yeshiva and Rabbi Shneur Lipsker as CEO. The framework combined Jewish studies and vocational studies. In subsequent years, additional branches were established. Yeshivat Hanoch Lenaar was established for the 5764 school year in the settlement of Sde Eliezer. The framework included half a day of yeshiva-style Jewish studies and half a day of welding and mechanics studies, some in cooperation with the Bnei Akiva ulpana in Meron. For the 5766 school year, the yeshiva moved to the settlement of Dalton, where it operated for three and a half years. In the middle of the 5769 school year, the yeshiva moved to a spacious compound in the industrial zone of Safed, which it purchased through crowdfunding with the assistance of Chabad Hasidim in Israel and worldwide. Due to licensing problems because of its location in an industrial zone, the yeshiva moved to the building of the "Tzeirei HaShluchim" yeshiva in the northern part of the city. In 5774, the yeshiva won the center for the acquisition of the 'Beit Binyamin' youth hostel compound in the center of Safed, where the yeshiva is located to this day. Between 5777 and 5780, a branch of the yeshiva also operated in the city of Ofakim. Yeshivat Hanoch Lenaar is intended for boys of junior yeshiva age (13–16) and places central emphasis on personalized learning, personal empowerment, emotional support, and training students for high-level learning. Today there is a branch in Safed with about 120 students, and its educational director is Rabbi Shalom Levkivker. The Mechon Torani Technologi (Chabad Technological Institute) opened in the 5770 school year for graduates of Yeshivat Hanoch Lenaar. Initially it operated under the Amal network, then moved to the ORT network until 5782, when it began operating under the independent "Hanoch Lenaar" network under the Ministry of Labor. Students at the institution study for matriculation exams in technological subjects and the professions of electricity and computing. Its educational director is Rabbi Shlomo Azraf. To enable adapted learning for the boys, religious studies are combined with secular studies. The study content undergoes unique adaptation: the amount of study materials is reduced and made user-friendly, private lessons are given as needed, classes are small, booklets and worksheets are used, interaction with students is emphasized, and there is more focus on deep understanding and less on quantity. Frontal lessons use visual aids and advanced didactic tools, far beyond what is customary in traditional yeshivas. In 5777, a separate track was opened alongside the Mechon Torani Technologi for those wishing to study practical engineering, electricity, and civil engineering, combined with rabbinical ordination studies from the Israeli Chief Rabbinate. The engineering studies are done in cooperation with the Safed Academic College, with Hanoch Lenaar responsible for building the rabbinical study program, managing the track, encouraging students to succeed, and providing full boarding conditions. Studies at the institute last about two years. Today about 140 students study there, and its graduates are integrated into elite units in the IDF and senior positions in the employment market. For three years, the Hanoch Lenaar class won first place in the class average in the electrical engineering final project in Israel. The consecutive wins raised the ranking of the engineering studies track at the Safed Regional College from 15th to 4th place in Israel. Kerem Chaya Mushka was opened in the 5780 school year, in the spirit and method of Yeshivat Hanoch Lenaar and the Mechon Torani Technologi, as a similar institution for girls. In its first year, the institution operated from the settlement of Birya in Safed. It then moved to Kiryat Shmona, under the Ministry of Education. At Kerem Chaya Mushka, alongside religious studies, students learn design arts and confectionery. About 50 girls study at the institution, and its educational director is Mrs. Vered Sagra. The educational approach of the Hanoch Lenaar network is based on the Lubavitcher Rebbe's letter regarding boys who are unable to study in a full-day yeshiva framework. The groundbreaking statement of Hanoch Lenaar institutions, in accordance with the Rebbe's letter, is the recognition of the existence of religious boys and girls who are not suited to learning in a regular yeshiva or seminary framework, and that alternative frameworks combining educational and occupational training must be adapted for them. The educational advantage of Hanoch Lenaar institutions over similar institutions is its proactive approach to locating the boys for whom a unique educational approach and adapted study program are required, and ensuring a framework for them before they reach a state of dropping out of studies. This is in contrast to the prevalent conception in which an adapted framework is offered to a student only retroactively after he has dropped out of yeshiva. This principle makes Hanoch Lenaar institutions preferred a priori for quality boys and girls, and not just as a last-resort institution.

• 2022

  Mechon Torani Technologi begins operating under the independent 'Hanoch Lenaar' network under the Ministry of Labor, after previously operating under the Amal and ORT networks.

• 2020

  Kerem Chaya Mushka, a high school for girls, is opened in the spirit of Yeshivat Hanoch Lenaar and the Mechon Torani Technologi.

• 2017

  A separate track for engineering studies combined with rabbinical ordination is opened alongside the Mechon Torani Technologi.

• 2014

  Yeshivat Hanoch Lenaar wins the center for the acquisition of the 'Beit Binyamin' youth hostel compound in central Safed, where it is located to this day.

• 2009

  Yeshivat Hanoch Lenaar moves to a spacious compound in the industrial zone of Safed, purchased through crowdfunding.

• 2009

  Mechon Torani Technologi (Chabad Technological Institute) opens for graduates of Yeshivat Hanoch Lenaar.

• 2005

  Yeshivat Hanoch Lenaar moves to the settlement of Dalton, where it operates for three and a half years.

• 2003

  Rabbi Eliezer Vilshansky establishes a temporary summer framework in Safed for boys lacking a suitable yeshiva framework, which becomes the basis for Hanoch Lenaar.

• 2003

  First official institution of the Hanoch Lenaar network is established for the 5764 school year, with Rabbi Eliezer Vilshansky as head of yeshiva and Rabbi Shneur Lipsker as CEO.

Alternative Chabad-Lubavitch educational network providing proactive, personalized religious and vocational frameworks for youth not suited to mainstream yeshiva or seminary settings.

• Yeshivat Hanoch Lenaar

  A yeshiva for boys in grades 8–12 (ages 13–16) with a diverse and personalized curriculum, combining religious studies with enrichment classes and social activities. Located in Safed, with about 120 students.

• Mechon Torani Technologi (Chabad Technological Institute)

  A technological institute for boys in grades 10–12 (up to age 14) combining Torah studies with vocational training in electricity and computing, leading to matriculation exams and integration into the workforce. About 140 students.

• Rabbinical Ordination Institute

  A track opened in 2017 for students wishing to study practical engineering, electricity, and civil engineering combined with rabbinical ordination from the Israeli Chief Rabbinate, in cooperation with Safed Academic College. Studies last about two years.

• Kerem Chaya Mushka

  A high school for girls in grades 9–12, opened in 2020, offering religious studies alongside design arts and confectionery. Located in Kiryat Shmona, with about 50 students.

1. 1חנוך לנער - מוסדות לנוער החסידי בישראלcnl.org.il
2. 2Yeshivat Hanoch Lenaar - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3חנוך לנער - Wikipedia (Hebrew)he.wikipedia.org