Editing Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch

'''Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch''' is the body responsible for all activities of spreading the wellsprings of Chabad Chassidus, coordinates the worldwide Shlichus enterprise, and organizes the International Kinus HaShluchim.

== Founding of the Merkos ==
The Merkaz was established in the month of Tammuz 5701 (1941) by the Frierdiker Rebbe (Admor HaRayatz) in connection with the arrival of his son-in-law on 28 Sivan 5701 (1941) and in order to centralize educational and Jewish activities in the United States.

The Rebbe's assistant, Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Aizik Chodakov, was appointed as director of the Merkaz, and Dr. Nissan Mindel was appointed as secretary. The Mach office was established in a room on the first floor of 770 Eastern Parkway (after several months during which the Rebbe lived there). This room later became the Rebbe's personal room, while the Mach offices were transferred to the secretariat room.

Among the staff of the Merkaz office in its early days were also Rabbi Avraham Paris and Rabbi Meir Leiber Keller.

Within a short time, dozens of branches were opened throughout the United States, in major cities and rural towns. In addition to the central branch, the Merkaz staff also opened Beis Rivkah and Beis Sarah schools, organized Mesibos Shabbos and SHLH, and distributed the Merkaz's booklets and newsletters.

Later, the Merkaz's activities expanded to other parts of the world. Branches were opened in Pocking - by Rabbi Dovid Bravman; in Canada - by Rabbi Yitzchak Hendel, with Rabbi Moshe Eliyahu Gerlitzky and Rabbi Menachem Zev Greenglass heading the Merkaz, and Rabbi Yosef Rodal also participating in its management; in England - by Rabbi Yerachmiel Binyaminson; in Eretz HaKodesh - by Rabbi Avraham Paris; and in Morocco - by Rabbi Michael Lipsker.

== Center Activities ==
Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch coordinated all Jewish and educational activities in the United States, except for yeshivas and cheders; among its activities were:

==== Schools for Girls ====

* Beis Rivkah (named after Rebbetzin Rivkah) and Beis Sarah (named after Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah); such schools were established by Merkos branches in rural towns, and their influence was significant: hundreds of female students studied in them, influencing their parents and causing many families to draw closer to Judaism. The main branch of Beis Rivkah was located in Crown Heights.

==== Shabbat Parties ====

* Every Shabbat Kodesh, dozens of boys and girls gathered at each Merkos branch, hearing from instructors about the sanctity of Shabbat, Judaism, and current topics; special activities on Jewish subjects were organized by each branch; periodically - usually on Lag B'Omer, children from the branches would gather for a type of parade in the courtyard of 770, and the Rebbe would address them on Judaism and Chassidut.

==== Religious Studies Classes ====

* For Jewish children attending public schools, an organization called "SHLA" was established, which, with permission under American law, provided weekly lessons every Wednesday where they learned about their Judaism and its meaning in their daily lives; this weekly hour was called "Wednesday Hour"; this department was managed by Rabbi Yaakov Yehuda Hecht (it later became the Committee for the Protection and Expansion of Kosher Education).

==== Department for Jewish Farmers ====

* Operating in rural towns among Jewish farmers, distant from urban centers; it organized educational activities on Jewish topics; supplied them with religious items (such as tallit and tefillin); and worked to arrange Jewish education for their children (this department was shared between Merkos and Machne Israel).

==== The MeZVAT Department ====

* (= Supply of Mezuzot, Tzitzit, and Tefillin), which worked to provide sacred objects and books to Holocaust survivors and Russian emigrants waiting overseas, in refugee camps, etc., as well as in China and Japan; the central branch of the department, from which supplies were provided to all of Europe, in Pocking, was managed by Rabbi David Brawman; the branch that supplied sacred items and books to refugees who fled to the Far East was managed by the Rabbi of Shanghai, Rabbi Meir Ashkenazi.

==== The Department for Military Personnel ====

* Established during [[the Holocaust]] period by Merkos and operated in cooperation with [[Machane Yisrael|Machne Israel]]. The department worked with Jewish soldiers in the [[United States of America|United States]] Army; and provided them with: sacred items; reading and study books; special booklets - "Messages" - produced for them, (prayer books and holiday prayer books, Grace After Meals, booklets of talks and encouragement and reinforcement booklets; and general involvement with all their needs.

==== Evening Classes ====

* Torah classes for Jewish homeowners busy with their livelihoods during the day, held in the evening by Merkos in synagogues or at the local branch; in 5705 (1945), the organization of these classes was transferred to the Eshel HaTorah department of Machne Israel; in 5707 (1947), the organization of classes returned to Merkos.

==== Promotion of Jewish Education ====

* Conducted among Jewish parents in the United States on a national scale; each Merkos branch was responsible for a certain district, and it took care of promotion; books, booklets, signs, flags, pennants, face-to-face conversations, and newspaper advertisements were all dedicated to "promotion of kosher education" - for sending Jewish children to Merkos schools.

==== Teachers Department ====

* A. Organized pedagogical classes in education for teachers of Merkos schools and other schools B. Arranged educational positions for Jewish teachers.

==== Department for Financial Support ====

* For Jewish educational institutions, both those belonging to Merkos and Tomchei Tmimim and those not affiliated with Chabad, such as Beis Yaakov, etc.

==== Missions to Rural Towns ====

* Mission Center, young men who went out as traveling emissaries for tours spreading Judaism in rural towns; this department operates to this day; the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach greatly valued this department and dedicated many talks to it.

==== Gatherings and Lectures ====

* Merkos organized many gatherings and lectures in all areas of Judaism, with the main gathering among them being the annual gathering of yeshiva students during Sukkot at 770; the Rebbe would regularly speak at these gatherings.

==== Publishing Department ====

* [[Kehos|Kehot]] published dozens of textbooks and reading materials for [[Jewish children]], notable among them: [[Hayom Yom|HaYom Yom]] and Daily Anthology - pocket encyclopedia (2 volumes) edited by the Rebbe, monthly "Talks for Children or Youth" - in English: "[[Talks and Tales (Sichos L'Noar)|Talks and Tales]]", the reader 'Sefrenu', Tehillat Hashem Siddur, Order of Blessings and Prayers in English, "Torah and Israel" (History), "Tefillin", "Shabbat", "Maaseh" (English), "Book of the Year", "Lo Tishtachavu" and "Passover Haggadah" (Hebrew), "King David", "Beit HaMikdash" and more. The books were edited by [[Rabbi Nissan Mindel|Dr. Nissan Mindel]], and they were printed with the assistance of the 'Stulman Fund'. The Rebbe was involved in the production and publication of these works. The Rebbe commented about these types of booklets - I do not proofread [every word], but am only responsible for the content of the idea and approach: "It is obvious that when I edit a booklet published by Merkos and the like - the content of my editing is the general idea, the approach, and so forth, but not issues like the aforementioned [i.e., checking how to pronounce God's name in blessings and prayers]"

These works and booklets were distributed among all children in the United States and included both Chabad customs and others, from kittel on Rosh Hashanah to different versions of kapparot.

In 5704 (1944), the 'Stulman Fund' was established to assist Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch in providing Jewish textbooks. The fund was established by the philanthropist Julius (Yehuda) Stulman and Alexander Elchanan Cohen. The Rebbe was a member of the fund's board along with Rabbi Nissan Mindel.

== Renewed Activities of the Center ==
Currently, the main activities under the organization's name are conducted from building 788 Eastern Parkway under department '302' and were managed by Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky until his passing in 5784 (2024):

* '''CTeen'''
* '''CKids'''
* '''[[Jem - Jewish educational Media|JEM]]'''
* '''JNet'''
* '''Beit Midrash for Shluchim'''
* '''My Shliach'''
* '''[[The International Kinus HaShluchim|International Kinus HaShluchim]]'''
* '''Moshiach Office''' - directed by Rabbi Shlomo Naparstek.

== International Kinus HaShluchim ==
'''The International Kinus HaShluchim''' is an annual gathering of the Rebbe's emissaries from around the world, to strengthen their connection with the Rebbe and to consult and discuss issues they face in their shlichus work. The Kinus begins each year on the Shabbos Mevorchim Chodesh Kislev at [[770 Eastern Parkway|770]], at the Rebbe's farbrengen.

The Kinus is organized by Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch and is managed by the Kinus committee selected by Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch under the leadership of the Rebbe's secretary, [[Shalom Menachem Mendel Simpson|Rabbi Sholom Mendel Simpson]].

During the Kinus, workshops are held in various fields that assist the shliach in his different activities in his place of residence. Fairs and sales of products suitable for shluchim are also held.

The official opening of the Kinus is on Shabbos afternoon at 1:30. Then the Kinus begins during the Rebbe's farbrengen. Usually, the Rebbe addresses the role of the shluchim during this farbrengen and connects it to the weekly parsha.

The main event is the grand 'banquet' that takes place on Motzei Shabbos in one of the halls in Crown Heights. On Sunday morning, the shluchim gather for the central picture in front of 770. And on Sunday evening, the shluchim's farbrengen is held at 770.

== Tishrei (5710/1950) and Onwards ==
After 10 Shevat 5710, the Rebbe became the president of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch (ML"C), in addition to his role as "Chairman"; in the official documents of 5750 (1990), Rabbi Chodakov was recorded as the Chairman of Merkos.

During these years, Merkos focused on managing the Shlichus (emissary) enterprise worldwide; selecting shluchim, providing initial assistance and budgets; thousands of Chabad Houses were opened by Merkos - recognized as Merkos branches; the activities that had previously been managed by Merkos became the responsibility of each shliach in each location.

Nevertheless, during these years Merkos concentrated many matters in Chabad: it managed the entire extensive Shlichus enterprise, the International Kinus Hashluchim (Conference of Emissaries), held ownership of the Rebbe's house at 1304 President Street, owned the Rebbe's library in his room and the Lubavitch Library building next to 770, and many other matters that were managed by Rabbi Chodakov within the framework of Merkos.

Over the years, Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky joined the institution, overseeing relationships with various donors and assisting Rabbi Chodakov in organizing the International Kinus Hashluchim, and Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Kotlarsky who managed the Shlichus enterprise on behalf of Merkos.

In 5749 (1989), according to the Rebbe's directive [source needed], a Merkos representative was appointed to the committee for expanding 770 - the representative was Rabbi Sholom Mendel Simpson.

== Appointments and Discussions ==

==== Will Document ====
On 17 Sivan 5748 (1988), a "will document" was written (according to the Rebbe's instructions) by Rabbis Chodakov, Nissan Mindel, and Yisroel Yitzchok Piekarski regarding the leadership of Lubavitch institutions; in the document, three were appointed to the main administration of Merkos, together and each individually: Rabbi Chodakov, Nissan Mindel, and Rabbi Sholom Mendel Simpson. The will was edited by the Rebbe, but no signed copy was found. Some claim that the Rebbe signed a copy that is not in our possession, a claim based on the testimony of Reb Nissan Mindel, as well as the testimony of Rabbi Shneur Zalman Labkowski who heard from Rabbi Yisroel Yitzchok Piekarski. This created a division among Chabad rabbis, with a committee of four rabbis including Rabbi Yehuda Kalman Marlow, Rabbi Yitzchok Hendel, Rabbi Yitzchok Meir Hertz, and Rabbi Dovid Shochat, ruling that the will must be fulfilled and Rabbi Mindel and Rabbi Simpson should be appointed to the Merkos administration. However, most rabbis in the Vaad Rabonei Lubavitch ruled that the will has no validity since no signed copy was found [source needed].

==== Official Documents ====
In 5750 (1990), members of the three central institutions - Agudas Chassidei Chabad, Machne Israel, and Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch - prepared new documents for their institutions, with new members added. These documents were approved by the Rebbe with his holy signature.

For Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, the following members were appointed: Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Aizik Chodakov, Dr. Nissan Mindel, Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Raichik, Rabbi Binyomin Eliyahu Gorodetsky, Rabbi Berel Junik, Rabbi Dovid Raskin, Rabbi Sholom Mendel Simpson, Rabbi Avrohom Yitzchok Shemtov, Rabbi Zev Yechezkel Katz, and Rabbi Chaim Yehuda Krinsky.

==== Two Centers ====
After discussions and disputes in the years 5755-5757 (1995-1997), a situation of two "centers" emerged. One, supported by (most of) the rabbis of the Vaad Rabonei Lubavitch, operated by Chaim Yehuda Krinsky, Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Kotlarsky, and Rabbi Zalman Aharon Grossbaum. This center also included (until 5770/2010) Rabbis: Avrohom Yitzchok Shemtov, Nachman Sudak, Yisroel Deren, Sholom Dovber Levtin, Shmuel Kaplan, and Daniel Moskowitz. The second center, headed by Rabbi Sholom Mendel Simpson, was supported by the Beis Din of Crown Heights and additional rabbis.

==== Arbitration ====
Due to differences of opinion between Rabbi Chaim Yehuda Krinsky and Rabbi Yechezkel Binyomin Klein, the authorized signatories of the organization, and Rabbi Avrohom Yitzchok Shemtov, Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Kotlarsky, and other members of the legal administration, an arbitration was declared in 5770 (2010) within the framework of the Vaad Rabonei Lubavitch, in which Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Leib Landau, Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky, and Rabbi Dovid Moshe Lieberman participated. At the center of the dispute were the documents of 5750 (1990) - whether they were only for government purposes (Rabbi Krinsky's claim) or they reflected the Rebbe's opinion (Rabbi Kotlarsky and Rabbi Shemtov's claim).

In the month of Av 5770 (2010), a temporary ruling was issued in which the title of Chairman was abolished and a temporary executive committee was appointed, consisting of Rabbi Krinsky, Rabbi Kotlarsky, and Rabbi Zalman Aharon Grossbaum.

==== After Rabbi Kotlarsky's Passing ====
At the funeral of Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Kotlarsky, who passed away on 27 Iyar 5784 (2024), his will was read, requesting that his son replace him in his position at Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch. However, the administration of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch did not respond to this request-will, and in an interview with his son, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Kotlarsky, in Tishrei 5785 (2024), the transfer of the position from father to son was defined as: "Rabbi Menachem Mendel took upon himself the continuation of the Shlichus enterprises that his father led in 'Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch'".

== Further Reading ==

* '''Here We Don't Summarize''', in the supplement 'The Revolutionaries' of the Kfar Chabad weekly, Sukkot 5780, page 6 ** • ** Sukkot 5782, page 6