A Message to our Readers

Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to be in contact with and provide support to a number of families raising a child with developmental disabilities for the first time. As with all new situations and endeavors, the beginning is very hard. It takes time for one to learn the ins and outs of navigating the world of disabilities. It takes practice to learn when and how to be flexible and to keep a proper balance in our perspectives. A parent can struggle throughout a lifetime maintaining realistic expectations from themselves and/or their children.

I want to share five points that I think are critical for parents to accept and make use of in their daily lives.

Always remember that caring for your child is the primary avodah Hashem expects from you.

Reach out to and become involved with other parents. Join and actively participate in support groups.

Accept all types of help from others willingly. You’ll also thereby help them to fulfill their tafkid.

It is crucial for a parent to create personal time to recharge and prepare for continued caregiving as often as necessary.

When things seem overwhelming use tefillah and the recitation of tehillim for renewal and inspiration.

Finally, to help take the fullest advantage of these five points, parents must have an experienced Rav and Moreh Ho’roah to turn to for guidance and a trusted confidant to discuss things with from time to time.

Wishing you all a Happy Chanukah and a healthy winter!

Rabbi Simon Lauber
Founder & CEO

Founder & CEO
Rabbi Simon Lauber
slauber@spiritmag.org

Editor-in-Chief
Gershon Sabol
gershon@spiritmag.org

Rabbinical Advisory Board
Rabbi Chaim L. Rottenberg, shlita
Rabbi Avrohom Chaim Feuer, shlita

Editor
Dini Sternhill
dinis@spiritmag.org

Copy Editor
Arielle Miller
Gitty Stiel

Magazine Layout & Design
Mark Weisz Design
www.markweisz.com

Web Layout & Design
Baruch Lebovits

Editorial Advisory Board
Elisheva Stein
Michelle Steinhart

Contributors
Rabbi Shmuel Abramson, Ed.D.
Yoseffa Chana (Josephine) Basher
Tziri Frank
Esther Fried
Rivky & Schmuli Friedman
Adina Hershberg
Jason Hoffrogge
Roger N. Meyer
Linda Newland
L. Rappaport
Helen Rader
Sara Yocheved Rigler
Aleta Root
Jenifer Simpson
Nancy Silberman Zwiebach, MA, PD