On Tuesday evening, YahalomNJ hosted a beautiful & moving event in Estreia for mothers of children with special needs. Over 150 dedicated women were treated to an inspiring evening out, full of chizuk, singing, and dancing, and a delicious milchig buffet.

The Yahalom mothers were serenaded by acclaimed singer and songwriter Malky Giniger, as they sang and danced along with her spirited music, and later, joined together in a heartfelt kumzitz.

Another highlight of the evening was a panel featuring five Yahalom mothers, who shared the challenges they face, what gives them strength, and how they balance the needs of the child with special needs with that of their family.

“Yahalom’s mothers’ events are the few times a year that I give something to myself,” said one mother. “This evening was just the right mix of entertainment and support, and it will keep me going during the challenging moments.”

Mrs. Chana Laniado, director of YahalomNJ, introduced Yahalom’s Support Coordination Agency, a state-approved resource to coordinate services for adults over 21, which will be headed by Mrs. Bassy Kupfer. Mrs. Laniado marveled at the incredible reach Yahalom United has – in just a few short years, Yahalom has expanded to include seven branches and helped coordinate services for thousands of families.

“Events like these are what Yahalom is all about: giving strength and support to the families of children with special needs, encouraging them to continue with their amazing work,” said Mrs. Laniado. “Seeing these extraordinary women enjoying themselves gives us the strength to continue supporting them.”

To contact Mrs. Laniado at YahalomNJ, email [email protected] or call 732-456-6322

To reach another Yahalom office:

Florida: Mrs. Tzippy Richmond, [email protected], 305.532.2500 ext 2

Illinois: Mrs. Fiona Kark, [email protected], 773.279.8400 ext 266

Maryland: Mrs. Meira Burkom, [email protected], 667.430.0901

New York: Miss Tova Wacholder, [email protected], 212.747.8763

Ohio: Mrs. Chana Barrett, [email protected], 216.455.1111 ext 1

Last week, YahalomNJ hosted an event at SkyZone in Lakewood, New Jersey, for boys who have a sibling with special needs. The event was organized in response to a need expressed by many Yahalom parents of children with special needs: the impact of the child with special needs on their siblings.

Brothers of children with special needs were invited to SkyZone for an hour of jumping, climbing, and playing. The activity was followed by a pizza supper and dancing with volunteers in full costume.

“My son was looking forward to this event for days,” said one mother. “He kept telling his little sister with special needs, ‘I get to go to SkyZone because of you! Thank you!’ He always loved her, and this only increased his positive feelings towards his sister.”

Agudah thanks the Misameach chessed organization for sending volunteers to dance with the boys.

“Having a sibling with special needs does impact the entire family in a very big way,” said Mrs. Chana Laniado, director of YahalomNJ. “We wanted the boys to feel that they are also special, that they also deserve special attention – and the smiles on the boys’ faces told us that they felt very special indeed.”

Yahalom is Agudah’s resource and referral department for families of children with special needs. Yahalom provides support to their families in a multitude of ways, including assisting parents with receiving government programs, connecting them with other organizations, or offering emotional support through events and activities.

To contact Mrs. Laniado at YahalomNJ, email [email protected] or call 848.285.8444.

To reach another Yahalom office:

Florida: Mrs. Tzippy Richmond, [email protected], 305.532.2500 ext 2

Illinois: Mrs. Fiona Kark, [email protected], 773.279.8400 ext 266

Maryland: Mrs. Meira Burkom, [email protected], 667.430.0901

New York: Miss Tova Wacholder, [email protected], 212.747.8763

On Monday, YahalomNJ hosted its biggest event thus far, drawing an overflow crowd of mothers of children with special needs to a special night out. Mothers gained valuable connections, meeting other mothers of children with the same diagnoses as their child and establishing relationships – an opportunity that only a Yahalom event can provide.

Attendees heard from Mrs. Shaindy Schorr, the principal of Bnos Esther Malka, who also has a child with special needs, about accepting the hardships of raising a child with special needs. Many were moved to tears by her words about the acceptance process and inspired by her personal story.

The event’s co-host, Mrs. Toby Tabak, spoke about the beginnings of Yahalom: “It is amazing how the Agudah saw this huge void in the chesed community and went above and beyond to fill the need for all of you here. I feel privileged to have been involved and so honored to be here amongst all of you incredible parents.”

YahalomNJ thanks Agudah board member Mr. Shloimy and Mindy Zeldes for opening their home to host the event.

Yahalom is already receiving an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from last night’s attendees. As one mother said, “The evening was beautiful, and I could tell how much time and effort went into making us mothers feel so special. Thank you, Yahalom, for always being here for us!”

“Since the beginning of Yahalom, our events have only grown bigger and bigger,” said Mrs. Chana Laniado, director of YahalomNJ. “We are so grateful to see how many families are gaining inspiration, connection, and chizuk from our work, and we are honored to be a part of the incredible families we have met.”

YahalomNJ, a division of Agudath Israel of America, was launched two years ago to provide resources and support to families of children with special needs. Following its success, Yahalom opened branches in New York, Chicago, Florida, and Maryland. Yahalom offers guidance and direction to parents, from helping them navigate government programs and school funding to organizing meals and support groups. YahalomNJ has serviced over 400 families, put out various directories to assist parents in making adequate connections, facilitated support groups for parents of children with special needs, and released guides to aid parents in specific parts of raising a child with special needs. YahalomNJ hosts men’s, women’s, and family events and educational workshops, and continues to expand its services to meet the needs of the families.

Yahalom mothers across the country joined to say Tehillim and listen to words of chizuk from Rabbi Yechiel Spero.

Listen to the recording here:

YahalomNJ, a division of Agudath Israel dedicated to supporting families with children with special needs, hosted a transformative Fathers’ Night Out at Tomahawk Steakhouse. The event brought fathers together in a warm and inclusive atmosphere, providing a platform for sharing personal experiences and fostering a sense of unity.

The evening commenced with a father who shared his personal journey of raising a child with special needs. The father’s heartfelt account touched the hearts of everyone present, highlighting the unique challenges and triumphs experienced by fathers in similar situations. It served as a powerful reminder of the strength, love, and dedication exhibited by fathers caring for their children with special needs.

Rabbi Sholom Kamenetsky, Rosh Yeshiva of the Yeshiva of Philadelphia, shared his own firsthand experiences of growing up with a sibling with special needs. He delved into the complexities, joys, and obstacles that accompany such a familial dynamic. Rabbi Kamenetsky offered profound insights into the role of parents in nurturing a supportive environment for their children, while recounting how his parents dealt with the situation. His inspiring words resonated deeply with the fathers in attendance, providing guidance, chizuk, and encouragement.

Following the speeches, the fathers engaged in meaningful conversations, forming connections and providing mutual support. Many fathers stayed for over an hour after the event concluded, sharing their stories, exchanging advice, and fostering a genuine sense of camaraderie. The event provided a safe space for fathers to express themselves, gain valuable insights, and find comfort in the company of others who understand their journey.

Reflecting on the impactful evening, one attending father expressed, “The Yahalom Fathers’ Night Out was a transformative experience. Hearing the personal stories and wisdom shared by both the guest speaker and fellow fathers was incredibly empowering. It was comforting to know that I’m not alone on this journey and that there is a strong community of fathers supporting one another.”

Rabbi Avi Schnall, director of Agudah’s NJ office, conveyed his gratitude to all the fathers in attendance, recognizing their unwavering commitment to their children with special needs. He stated, “The Yahalom Fathers’ Night Out created an environment where fathers felt heard, understood, and uplifted. We are immensely grateful to have provided a platform for fathers to connect and draw strength from one another. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of our children.”

“We are thrilled to have witnessed the profound impact of the Yahalom Fathers’ Night Out event. It provided fathers of children with special needs with a space to connect, share their journeys, and find strength in each other,” said Mrs. Chana Laniado, Director of YahalomNJ. “The evening exemplified the power of community and the invaluable support that Yahalom offers to families. We remain committed to empowering and uplifting every member of our special needs community.”

Agudath Israel thanks Sholom Stein for his generous sponsorship of this event and his support for YahalomNJ.

YahalomNJ is headed by Mrs. Chana Laniado, who has over a decade’s experience working with the special needs community. To contact Mrs. Laniado, please call 848-285-8444 or email [email protected].

Yahalom, a division of Agudath Israel dedicated to supporting families with children with special needs, is pleased to announce the release of a comprehensive guide aimed at assisting parents in sending their children with special needs to sleepaway camps. This invaluable resource incorporates practical tips and advice gathered directly from mothers who have firsthand experience navigating the challenges and opportunities associated with sleepaway camp experiences.

Sending a child with special needs to a sleepaway camp can be a complex decision for parents, filled with considerations and concerns. Yahalom’s new guide seeks to address these concerns and provide a roadmap for parents, empowering them to make informed decisions and create positive camp experiences for their children.

The guide draws on the insights of mothers who have successfully navigated the sleepaway camp journey with their children. By sharing their experiences, these mothers offer a unique perspective that is both practical and empathetic, providing valuable guidance for other parents embarking on a similar path.

“The Yahalom guide for sending children with special needs to sleepaway camp is a comprehensive resource that empowers parents with knowledge and support,” said one of the mothers who contributed to the guide”.

“By incorporating the real-life experiences of mothers who have successfully navigated this journey, the guide offers invaluable insights that can help parents create transformative and enriching camp experiences for their children,” said Mrs. Fiona Kark, director of Yahalom Chicago.

“We are thrilled to release this guide, which we believe will be an invaluable resource for parents,” said Mrs. Chana Laniado, director of YahalomNJ. “By providing firsthand tips and advice from mothers who have been through the sleepaway camp journey with their own children, we hope to empower parents and alleviate some of the concerns they may have.”

Miss Tova Wacholder, director of YahalomNY added, “Our goal is to enable families to make well-informed decisions and ensure that their children with special needs have a rewarding and enjoyable camp experience.”

Yahalom thanks Raizy Benedikt, Shoshana Berger, Chaya Bogen, Aviva Fruchter, Miriam Gewirtzman, Esther Pransky, Esty Walter, and Malka Winer, for their contributions to this important guide.

The Yahalom guide for sending children with special needs to sleepaway camp is now available for download by clicking here.

Hard copies are available for pickup at:

Brooklyn: COPE Office, 4006 18th Ave. (Please email [email protected] for office hours)

Lakewood: Agudah NJ Office, 1999 Cedarbridge Ave. Suite 3A.