Some say that the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, and his Rebbetzin had no children.

Others say that the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin have reared, cultivated and, in essence, given spiritual birth to countless Jewish souls the world over.

They have charged us with a mission: to emulate their unique brand of leadership and vision, while teaching a new genertation to follow in their footsteps. Answering this noble call is an international cadre of over 6,000 Chabad emissaries.

Half of them are women.

It is never too soon to acquire the leadership qualities of kindness, patience, tolerance and teamwork. In classroom and playground, Bnos Menachem's youngest students will acquire these attributes while learning to love the source: our Jewish heritage, our Torah tradition.

Still, Bnos Menachem will hardly be traditional. From nursery through eighth grade, it will discard the traditional hallmarks of many schools: passive learning, rote memorization and unnecessary divsions between Jewish and secular studies, or between the classroom and the world beyond its walls. Instead, it will offer its students a multifaceted world where learning comes alive, a world where they can axquire confidence, competence and compassion.

At Bnos Menachem, every child is precious and priceless. Our students will celebrate diversity in htemselves and others, triumphing over the cruel notion that class members are divided into the lucky and the left out.

They will take their cue from an adminstration and faculty that accommodate different learning styles and allow students to flourish in a flexible enviroment.

Still, one can't build self-esteem in the absence of competence. Guided by caring teachers, our students will draw on their strengths and undertake individualizedassignments to sharpen skills needing improvement. How refreshing, though, that the competence Bnos Menachem will require of its students will pale in comparison to the excellence they will demand of themselves.

As they grow, Bnos Menachem's students will gain proficiency in:

A strong complement of general studies, including a rich arts curriculum and a dynamic after-school program, will provide intellectual stimulation while fortifying our students' understanding of – and love for – their Judaism.

The result: a seamless weaving of spiritual and secular education, ensuring that our students will be fully equipped to lead lovingly in a modern world.

Despite its commitment to academic excellence, Bnos Menachem will hardly become an isolated ivory tower. From preschool through high school, our students will learn to cherish communal service and see themselves as uniquely talented Jewish activists. They will for example:

• tackle a math unit that, in conjunction with the Jewish laws of charity, equips them to execute a local fund raising project.

• internalize the ethical lessons of Purim and Passover by inviting unaffiliated Jewish children to participate in Bnos Menachem's holidy observances.

• celebrate their completion of Biblical narrative of Abraham and Sarah's life by emulating them: visiting homebound or elderly neighbors, as these two luminaries would do, were they here today.