On November 30, 2006 over 350 Jewish educators attended the 9th National Scientific conference sponsored by the National Educational Resource Center, a division of PTACH. The event was held at the New York Grand Hyatt Hotel. The conference celebrated the 500 Jewish educators who have attended the unique Jewish Day “Schools Attuned©” program, an intensive five day training designed to give regular classroom teachers the knowledge and skills to meet the diverse needs of all students in their schools. Educators from a wonderfully diverse group of Yeshivas and Day Schools came to deepen their understanding and application of the All Kinds of Minds philosophy.

The program featured the renown Dr. Mel Levine as the morning keynote speaker who reviewed the basic premises of Schools Attuned, followed by its relevance to reading, writing and math and other school related tasks. The audience was highly focused and involved in this discussion that provided practical solutions to a highly structured view of how students learn. For many, the discussion provided a deeper understanding of what participants had learned in the five day core course.

The luncheon was a sumptuous banquet befitting conference participants - superb Mechanchim who have been in the forefront of participation in this meaningful staff development project. Lunch was followed by a talk given by Mr. Rubin Schron, the conference chairman, who eloquently reinforced the importance of having Jewish educators recognize the unique strengths that each and every one of our children most certainly possesses.

The highlight of the day was the special keynote address given by Rabbi Yisroel Reisman, Rov of the Agudath Yisroel of Madison and Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva Torah Vodaas. He spoke about the history of Chinuch in America, the pivotal role PTACH has played in its development, and the vital role PTACH will play for years to come.All those present were intellectually, emotionally and spiritually uplifted by the Rov’s words of chizuk.

The day was made complete with the 7 afternoon concurrent workshop sessions focusing on the applications of Jewish Day Schools Attuned in the regular classroom. We were honored to have the following presenters: Rabbi Aharon Jacobs (Tiferes Yisroel), Rabbi Kalman Rothstein (Bais Hachinuch), Morahs Gerstel and Krasnow (T.A.G.), Mrs. S. Groner (Bais Yakov of Boro Park), Mrs. Raizy Schwarzmer (PTACH/Chaim Berlin), Ms. Aidel Blau (Bais Rivka) and Mrs. Meryl Silver.

The National Educational Resource Center looks forward to training another five hundred Jewish educators over the next few years. Thereby, continuing its mission of promoting public understanding of the diverse learning needs of children and to create opportunities and programs to give every child an equal opportunity to a Jewish education. For further information contact Dr. Judah Weller, Educational Director of P’TACH, coordinator of the conference and facilitator for more than 17 of the five day core courses. He can be reached at (718)854-8600x102.