Chanukah is the yom tov of light, a time when we commemorate the miracles, HaShem performs to keep us our nation alive. We light the menorah which reminds us that even in the darkest moments, a small bit of candle can light up the darkest room. This message resonates deeply as I think of each of you, our families of children with special needs. While your children's journey may be uniquely challenging, they are filled with the potential to shine in ways that no one else can.

May the glow of the Chanukah candles inspire us to see the miracles in everyday moments—whether in a shared smile, an act of perseverance, or the joy of simple celebrations. Every child, regardless of ability or need, is a source of light. And just as the small oil in the menorah lasted for eight nights, our belief in one another’s strength, resilience, and love has the power to create enduring miracles.

Wishing you a freilechen Chanuka! 

-Sara

Volunteer Packaging

Thank you to our amazing volunteers from TAG and TMM who came this week to help us package our Chanukah gifts for our party:

Chanukah Party

We are excited to invite you to our Yahalom Family Chanukah Party, an afternoon full of fun with your whole family.

Our party will feature fun activities for children ages 3-14.

Monsey: January 5th at 4:00 PM

To RSVP, click here.

Yahalom Group Chats (Texting)

The best networking opportunities are with other parents. We are starting Yahalom mothers texting chats in NYC and Monsey.

If you would like to join, respond to this email with your name, number, and which chat you would like to join.

The Weight Loss Battle and Behaviors

Weight Loss–a work in progress. Over time. Sometimes over a very long time. It’s a looonnng hard process.

Sometimes we have good days.

Sometimes the donuts wins.

Sometimes life gets in the way, and sometimes we have YomTov.

Whatever the case, we have to give ourselves grace. We would never measure weight loss by the minute or the day. It's the overall weight loss-over time.

Behaviors are exactly the same.

Sometimes our kids have good days.

And sometimes not such good days.

Use the same set of rules for your kids and keep your eye on the end goal.

Real behavior change is hard. A work in progress. Look at the change over time, not by the day or even the week.



Real change happens over time. When you look back, you will be in awe and proud.

Hindy Teichman MSEd, BCBA, LBA has a boutique practice in Brooklyn, NY, Social Trends ABA, where she specializes in treating complex behavior challenges in children with autism. To inquire about services, Hindy can be reached at hindy@socialtrendsaba.com.

Toilet Training

Here is a recording to a three-part webinar which was sponsored/put on by a company(Leckey) which makes adaptive equipment(walkers, standers, etc) for children with disabilities. The webinar is taught by an OT and a PT who specialize in toilet training children with disabilities based on the latest research. It was recorded and posted on Vimeo(see below).

-Chaya Sara Herman, Brooklyn

Pee, Poo & The Pelvic Floor: Tasvi will discuss all things ‘P’ related, how the body works and why position matter

Potty Training: Tasvi and James will provide some step by step tips on how to toilet train children with additional needs.

Perfecting the art and overcoming the challenges: Day to day challenges toilet training poses. Shannon, mum to Jaxon, joins to tell her story about toilet training and provide some real life insights.

Tips and Tricks for Chanukah

• If your child has depth perception issues, don't let him hold the Chanukah candles himself because he may singe his eyelashes.
• As a family with children with special needs just leaving the house can be hard. Instead, try to make a cute and fun dinner to make Chanukah exciting. For example, shape the food like a menorah or add toys to the plate.
• Another idea, make a Chinese Auction for your healthy kids. Each kid should write down something positive about having a sibling with special needs. Each thing the child writes is worth a dollar, and he can redeem it for prizes.
• Ask your Rav if it is halachacly permissible to blow the candles out after 30 minutes for safety so you don't have to worry.
• For those that do sit with at the menorah a half hour, you can prepare small gifts that are cheap and entertaining for fidget issues. Give it to them right after the lighting of the candles so that the (special) kids can be entertained nearby and mom and dad can enjoy this special time.
• If you do give present, many times one small present or prize each day goes a lot further than one major present, that way every day they had something to look forward to.
• If there is a respite program available for your child, don't be shy to use it! Feel free to reach out to Yahalom if you are looking for a respite program.
• Prepare your child before on what to expect for the next 8 days. Here is a sample social story to prepare your child.
• If you are joining a family Chanukah party and there are behaviors that you can predict, prepare the other adults on how to deal with it, or how their kids can deal with it. For example, tell your kids they can come get an adult to help.

Thank you Rochel Levy, Minki Kleinman, Elisheva Reich, Esti Schiffmiller, Chayala Teitelbaum, and Holly Zinn for sharing tips and tricks.

The Jewish Children's Museum

The Jewish Children's Museum is open on Chanukah and is special needs friendly. Most of the attractions are built into the floor. They have a discount for individuals with disabilities plus a free chaperone.

Free Chanukah Exercise Class

We are excited to inform you about the Movement for Healing class run by one of our very own YahalomNJ moms, Mrs. Chava Schrader.

The class will be this Tuesday, December 24th.

We hope you will be able to take advantage of his opportunity and gain a lot from it.

RSVP: 973-427-8488 or barbarajotr@gmail.com.

Neuropysch Covered By Insurance

Governor Kathy Hochul just signed a law that all private insurance companies in NY state must pay for neuropsychological evaluations for school age children if dyslexia is suspected.

Family Reimbursement (Monsey)

Rayim still has quite a few FSS slots available for 2024. The FSS fund currently reimburses respite up to $3,000 per individual, per year. The process is pretty simple and requires an FSS application and respite timesheet (provided by Rayim).

Following are the requirements to qualify:

• Individual must reside in the Hudson Valley (Orange, Rockland, Sullivan etc)
• Individual must be eligible for OPWDD services (must have a TABS ID)
• Individual cannot have any Waiver services yet (OPWDD or HCBS)

If this may be of interest to you, kindly reach out to my assistant Devorah Oberlander at 845-782-7700 ext. 148 or email doberlander@rayim.org.

Please note, since this is for year 2024, the opportunity is time sensitive.

Neshamala Magazine

Please enjoy this beautiful magazine. Neshamala Magazine is written for families raising children with special needs. Enjoy!

HCS Concert

HCS had a beautiful concert with Yisroel Adler, Shira Choir, Yehuda Gilili, and Hamengen Band. It was extremely uplifting and inspirational. We hope this gives you something nice to watch over Chanukah!