In It Together |
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traveled all over Israel to investigate supported housing programs . At one facility in northern Israel , we were shocked when we saw the list of names . We knew these families , but hadn ’ t been aware that they had a child with disabilities !
“ We eventually opened our first apartment in the Ramot neighborhood . The rav of the chassidic kehillos , Harav Zisha Horwitz , gave the residents an especially warm reception . That apartment was a great success and served as the model for subsequent supported housing projects . Seeing how beneficial it was for the residents to live independently , my parents eventually relented .”
Today , Avraham is one of six residents in a supported apartment strategically located in the heart of the city . He ’ s close to everything that is important to him : his family , the Gerrer beis medrash and Seeach Sod ’ s vocational center , where he davens and works daily . Between his family , his community , his fellow residents and his daily pursuits , his life is full and meaningful . The enthusiastic birthday wishes are the best proof of the affection and respect that he garners from family and peers .
Growing up in the shadow of his parents ’ relentless battle to establish Seeach Sod left its mark on Rabbi Shimon . “ I ’ m sure that when they first opened a special needs kindergarten for the chareidi public , they had no idea what they were in for ,” he speculates . “ It was a constant battle — with the authorities , to provide funding , staff , equipment , etc .; with parents , to convince them to overcome their fear of the special-ed stigma ; with the neighbors of supported apartments . In the end , we succeeded on all those fronts , but the stress left its mark on my father .”
Feeling the need to serve as a bulwark
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of strength for his parents , Rabbi Shimon never complained , hardships notwithstanding . “ It took many years before we received any official funding , and whatever money my parents had went to Seeach Sod . Abba worked as a shochet , and even took on a side job . My mother was a teacher who worked full time in addition to taking care of a large family . They invested their whole lives , literally , into this project . For many years , we made do with very little .”
The brothers ’ special relationship is self-evident . Unfortunately , Avraham ’ s verbal abilities and functionality have regressed considerably over the years . Professionals are convinced that had he received the early care that is the bread-and-butter at Seeach Sod ’ s facilities today , he could have been very high-functioning . As a child he stuttered ; today his speech is minimal , limited mostly to one-word missives .
In Rabbi Shimon ' s office , next to the photo of their father , Rabbi Dov z " l .
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“ We have our own code-language ; I can always understand what he wants ,” Rabbi Shimon remarks , “ but Avraham understands a great deal .”
For Rabbi Shimon , Avraham is still his big brother . “ I have a lot of respect for him . All my children know that he ’ s an inseparable part of our family .
“ If , as it states in Yoma , Hillel obligates the poor [ to learn Torah ], then Avraham obligates the neuro-typical ,” Rabbi Shimon remarks . “ Following an integration program at Seeach Sod with children from the Belzer cheder , the principal told me that the experience was very enriching for the boys . ‘ How can they take tefillah lightly when sitting next to them is a child who struggles to read every letter and who treats the davening with such seriousness ?’
“ Avraham and his friends are a true example of how a person must fulfill his potential . They obligate each and every one of us .”
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Photo : Elchanan Kotler |