Correspondence with the Lubavitcher Rebbe Regarding People with Special Needs

Absolutely...what we put in must come out one way or another. Joshua is now 13. Doctors said, "If he lives...his mind will never progress beyond a 3 month old baby...he will never sit-up, crawl or walk... They gave us no hope and medically speaking there was NONE. However, we know and serve a God that is a deliverer and healer...that is the same today, as yesterday and forever more. Long story short. Joshua, see, hears, walks and talks.

I have found that my son with Down Syndrome has the clearest grasp of spiritual matters. At Yom Kippur, he walked to each member of our family and very seriously said "I'm sorry." I sometimes wonder if having a simpler intellect reduces the amount of clutter that can get in the way of experiencing Shekinah.

From a Spiritual Perspective, These Children and Adults set at the Master's Table. They have a Special Place at the Kings Table.

They are as important to the body of Believers, Jews and Gentiles as anyone, they represent His brokeness.

Thank you for sharing this correspondence. I had not realized how progressive the Rebbe's thinking is/was. I am a Reform Jew with three children. One has Down Syndrome, another has ADHD, the third seems to be "okay". I have been lucky in finding shuls in Houston and Old Bethpage with religious education directors who had special needs children themselves. They have taken every effort to include my sons. I am grateful for the Friendship Circle even though I have not yet become involved. I am glad it is there and will some day bring my children when schedule permits. Keep up the good work.

Well I'm glad to see that kids today are at least getting help and have a better chance as well as better opportunities........As one with ADHD and all the mishaps.......I know 1st hand ...............but there is always more to be done can be done and should be done.........Maybe one day I'll even get the help I need but I don't even get an email reply!!

This correspondence I want to read again and again and impress it on myself. As an educator the Rebbe has a vision. I wish all educators of both the normal and the special would read this and think about its implications. These letters certainly made me more aware of what the Rebbe intends and how sound a concept it is that he proposes.
Amazing!

i don't know what to write, all i can think is how important these letter's are to all individual's as a whole, and the youth (yeshiva bachorim) in particular

Thank you for the opportunity to read the Rebbe's profoundly wise and compassionate words on this matter. It is such a perspective that we should seek to guide us.

As a Jewish person working with special needs individuals I think this correspondence recognizes a need in group homes, one that is often overlooked. For those who are Jewish, special effort should be made to connect with them with Jewish tradition.