Hundreds of mashgichim and spiritual administrators of yeshivos gathered for the annual convention of Ha'azinu, an organization founded by Torah leaders, to discuss and formulate action through combined counsel regarding the spiritual growth of yeshiva students in Torah and yiras Shomayim.
Prime attention at this occasion, was accorded to the words of HaRav Dov Lando, aired from his home, as follows:
"Fortunate are you, spiritual principals and mashgichim of the sanctified halls of yeshivos who gather together for the sake of improvement through joint guidance in order to scrutinize and upgrade the desired path to be taken in aiding students to rise in Torah and yiras Shomayim."
He noted that "the role of educators is to intensify in the hearts of their students the feeling that there is nothing greater than their advantage, and no greater joy than their success."
At the very height of the gathering, HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch delivered a profound speech dealing with the desired rapport between mashgichim and the world of professional treatment, bringing several examples, explaining that at times, through understanding the nature of the student, a mentor can understand the source of a student's difficulty and supply the necessary aid.
At times, however, a professional, familiar with a student's psyche, can succeed in reaching his very core and helping him. There are times when it is necessary to intertwine the two sources.
HaRav Dovid Cohen stressed, in his address to the gathered mashgichim, the great need to instill in the student the importance of his advancement in Torah study, which is the utmost pinnacle of mankind, and if they do not internalize this, they are drawn outward of the beis medrash. The closer they are adhered to Torah, the more they will succeed in personal growth and elevation.
Upon this occasion, the words of HaRav Yehoshua Eichenstein, Rosh Yeshivas Yad Aharon, were delivered. Also addressing the convention was HaRav Bunim Shreiber, Rosh Yeshivas Netiv HaDaas, and HaRav Yehoshua Fink, who enlightened the audience with practical aids in their educational mission.
In addition, a general open discussion took place, under the guidance of HaRav Moshe Blau, one of the rabbonim of the Ha'azinu Center, while the head of the organization, Rav Shlomo Dayan, presented before the assembly various educational problems and dilemmas.
The mashgichim sat for a long time in separate groups, together with the rabbonim and advisors of the organization, discussing the various objectives of a mashgiach, during which the various mashgichim presented their insights from their experience as educators, exchanging between themselves many important perceptions and ideas from which they could all benefit.
Another speaker was HaRav Elchonon Grosbaum, a member of the Council of the Jerusalem Municipality, as well as HaRav Dr. Avidan Milevsky, who provided tools and practical ideas in enhancing the self-worth and personal esteem of the students.
