This Chanukah, YahalomNY organized two heartwarming and inclusive celebrations for families with children with special needs in Monsey and Five Towns. These events, attended by over 1,000 guests each from Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, Monroe, Monsey, Great Neck, West Hempstead, White Plains, Far Rockaway, and Five Towns brought joy to families who often face unique challenges in participating in parties and celebrations.

Children with special needs often encounter difficulties attending parties due to sensory overload, unsuited entertainment, and unaccepting environments. For many families, this means choosing between going to a party without their child or not attending at all. Yahalom’s Chanukah parties were designed to overcome these barriers, ensuring that every child and their family felt welcome and supported.

The celebrations included a delicious buffet of pastas, make your own pizza, and of course, Chanukah donuts; along with fun, sensory-friendly entertainment such as photobooth, inflatables, various crafting activities, and a Dr. Shnitzel Wacky Science Show.

Recognizing the importance of creating an inclusive environment, Yahalom also provided dedicated volunteers to assist families who needed help caring for their children with special needs during the event. Thank you to our volunteers from TAG and TMM in the Five Towns, and to our Monsey volunteers from various schools.

Yahalom’s focus on meeting the specific needs of the attendees was reflected in the thoughtful arrangements made for the children. One parent shared, “You are not only bringing joy to the child with special needs, but you are also bringing joy to their siblings. Many times, siblings rarely get to experience joy since they are either helping their parents with their special sibling, or understanding that Mommy and Daddy can’t be there for them. You also gave the parents joy by giving them something they very rarely get. They got to watch all their children enjoying the same activities under one roof while doing the same things. Thank you thank you thank you we love Yahalom!”

Another parent expressed “We felt so good, so wanted, so loved, pampered and accepted. So many families have a difficult time joining a typical Chanukah party, and you can just sense the love, support and acceptance that every single person in the room had. Kids with braces and wheelchairs joined in the tug of war games, children who needed to run around could do so without anyone staring and the room was just full of families taking a breather while their children of all abilities was able to enjoy.”

Yahalom provides continuous support to parents of special needs children, guiding them through the challenges they face by connecting them with resources, offering emotional support, and educating them about available programs. Yahalom is a lifeline for families in need, ensuring that no one walks this path alone.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to State Senator Bill Weber, Assemblyman Aron Wieder, Roger Bearden, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, State Senator Patricia Canzori Fitzpatrick, Assemblyman Ari Brown, Rabbi Mordechai Kaminetsky ,and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman for joining us at this special celebration. Your presence at the event made the day more meaningful for the families in attendance, and we are grateful for your continued support of our community.

For more information about Yahalom and to sign up for email updates, email [email protected].

About Yahalom NY

Yahalom NY is dedicated to supporting families with children who have special needs, providing resources, guidance, and emotional support. Through its programs, Yahalom empowers parents to navigate the challenges they face while fostering a supportive community for all.

Photo Credits: Agudath Israel/ Moshe Gershbaum