Last week, Yahalom New York held its inaugural event for the Queens, Far Rockaway, and Five Towns communities, a night out, for mothers of children with special needs. The event was hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Evan and Chaya Sara Genack, providing these mothers with a well-deserved break through an evening of inspiration and relaxation.
Yahalom, the Agudah’s Special Needs resource center, is designed to help parents of children with special needs obtain the appropriate resources by guiding, educating, and empowering parents to ensure they have the help and support they need.
Yahalom’s event was the first of its kind for many mothers, who were very hesitant to come, not sure that this was something they needed. One mother said, “I wasn’t sure I wanted to come, but it was so beautiful, I’m happy I did.”
The room was set up to have the ambience of a beautiful hotel, soft music was playing, and the lights were dimmed. High-quality fresh food was beautifully arranged. An entire table of custom cookies was prepared, with each cookie individually packed for the mothers to take home. Each mother was also presented with a bouquet of flowers and a Mishpacha magazine to take home, as well as a “SuperMom” mug, a Yahalom notebook, and a keychain with Yahalom’s number.
Another aspect of the event was inspiration, Rabbi Moshe Plutchok, Rav, Khal Ahavas Yisroel, Cedarhurst, and Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshiva Derech Chaim, Brooklyn, delivered divrei chizuk. Mrs. Ellen Wolfson shared the story of her journey raising a child with special needs and how she connected with Yahalom.
Miss Tova Wacholder, director of Yahalom New York, received a lot of positive feedback from the mothers thanking Yahalom for providing support. One mother said, “It was the first time I left an organization event feeling more hopeful than lost. For that alone I thank you.” Another mother: “Thank you so much for organizing the Yahalom event tonight. It was so nice to feel so supported and understood.”
Yahalom New York, a division of Project LEARN, is headed by Miss Tova Wacholder. Contact YahalomNY at 212-797-9000, extension 324, or email [email protected].
