The three Krohn children whose jobs focus on chinuch habanos share their insights

All of us are mechanchim — we teach by example; we teach through the impact we have on those in our orbit. Some are mechanchim in an official capacity in the classroom. And then there are those are mechanchim for Klal Yisrael — individuals whose lessons have touched tens of thousands throughout the Jewish world. Rabbi Paysach and Mrs. Miriam Krohn are Klal Yisrael’s mechanchim.

Rabbi Krohn has inspired generations of readers and listeners with his 17 books, including the popular Maggid series (ArtScroll / Mesorah), and the lectures he’s given nationally and internationally. Mrs. Krohn has worked in Shevach High School her entire married life. She’s currently the associate principal for limudei kodesh, as well as a popular teacher.

While the ripples of their actions spread far, at the epicenter is their five children who speak glowingly of the chinuch they received. In the Krohn home in Kew Gardens, NY, the parents lived by the principles they taught. Rabbi Krohn strongly believes in instilling in one’s children “roots and wings.”

“Know where you come from, and make it a part of your home. Be proud of your family and your Yiddishkeit,” he explains. “But you also need to give your kids wings. Give them independence, and let them accomplish things on their own.”

Mrs. Miriam Krohn focuses on individuality. “Chinuch in the classroom and chinuch of one’s own children share a basic principle,” she says. “They’re both dynamic, meaning that they change. The wise parent knows how to hone in on the individual child. A parent — or teacher — has to know what to compliment and what to gently discourage. Don’t expect one template to fit every one of your children and students.”

The balance of pride in one’s roots and the confidence to take flight continues to be a common denominator in the adult Krohn children. Their passion for Yiddishkeit and family guides them today, be it in Kew Gardens, Waterbury, Baltimore, Far Rockaway, or Passaic. It’s no surprise that each of them chose a profession in which they can inspire a new generation. Here, the three Krohn children whose jobs primarily focus on chinuch habanos share their insights on building roots and granting wings.

Meet the Clan

Rabbi Eliezer Krohn teaches in the Bais Yaakov of Passaic High School, The New York Seminary V’at Alis, and Reenas Bais Yaakov in Highland Park, he also gives shiurim to married women in Passaic. He recently published A Woman’s Guide to Practical Halachah (ArtScroll / Mesorah).

Mrs. Chaviva Pfeiffer has taught nearly every grade from fourth to eighth and currently teaches seventh grade in Bais Yaakov of Queens. She’s also an extracurricular coordinator and has authored five children’s books for ArtScroll/Mesorah.

Mrs. Faige Kramer has been teaching mathematics for 30 years and is currently the Math Department Chair at Bais Yaakov of Baltimore High School for Girls. Mrs. Kramer’s MathPrep SAT course is featured on the popular education site Udemy.com. She gives the course live to local students. She currently lives in Baltimore, MD with her husband and family.

What made you decide to go into teaching? How did growing up in your home impact that decision?

Rabbi Eliezer Krohn: Our parents ingrained in us a sense of mission to give over to the klal. If you have something to share, we were taught, and the world can gain from it, let everyone benefit. The countless hours our parents spend teaching, guiding, and inspiring has been a model for us children. We’ve internalized that this is the greatest zechus possible: to raise the level of avodas Hashem in others.

Mrs. Chaviva Pfeiffer: I feel fortunate that chinuch is in my blood. Both my parents teach in different capacities, and many members of the Krohn family teach as well. My mother had a book for each child’s school pictures and milestones. Where it said, “When I grow up, I want to be______________,” I filled in “teacher” every year from second grade on. So I actually have documented proof that I pretty much always wanted to be a teacher.

Much like seminary girls observe a variety of teachers, I spent my entire school career observing my teachers, knowing that someday I wanted to teach. My greatest role models are my parents, who were mechanech us daily at home, setting high standards for us with love. I also credit my principals and so many of my teachers for modeling how to teach and connect to students effectively.

Mrs. Faige Kramer: I’ve always loved connecting to people. I also loved the subject math. Both my parents inspired others. My mother inspired her students as she taught Chumash and Navi and brought hashkafah into many of her lessons. My father inspires the world with his stories and lessons. Teaching math was the best way to combine it all. The other math related careers I looked into (actuarial work, engineering, accounting, etc.) didn’t provide the interaction and daily connection with people I was looking for — teaching did.