Recently, at Congregation Ahi Ezer in Brooklyn, Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser and Rabbi Yakov Horowitz gave wonderful and insightful lectures entitled “Raising Today’s Children for Tomorrow’s World,” and hundreds of community members showed up to listen.
The evening was sponsored by Acheinu, the renowned kiruv organization in Eretz Yisrael that develops unaffiliated Israeli youth into bnei Torah, under the auspices of Hagaon HaRav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz, who serves as nasi (president).
During the past 15 years, Acheinu has rescued nearly 7,000 vulnerable children by utilizing its unique approach of mentoring and follow-up to ensure that each student they place in Torah schools feels comfortable and equipped to excel. With a success rate of over 90%, Acheinu schools have helped children grow, creating bnei Torah.
Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser spoke powerfully about the importance of parents being role models for their children. He presented the following practical steps to be successful raising children.
Teach Your Child “How to Swim”
Instill strong convictions in your children so that they will be able to “go against the tide” in terms of standing up to undesirable influences and pressures that come their way.
Fortify Children With the Strength to Withstand Challenges
Parents should set an example of strength and consistency in confronting instances of adversity and challenges that are an unavoidable part of everyday life.
See to it that children absorb the fundamentals of Torah hashkafah. Help them understand how these essential concepts come into play in everyday situations and how to apply them in meeting the challenges therein.
Equip Young People for Disappointments and Letdowns
Provide your children with the tools necessary to handle disappointments so that they are not overcome by the inevitable letdowns that all of us face. Make them understand that these tests often contain the seeds of, and can actually lead to, future triumph and success.
Teach the Art of Compromise
Teach children that they cannot always have it their way. By internalizing the basics of emunah (faith), children will be better able to develop the mindset and ability to effectively settle their differences and come to an agreement with others.
Encourage Children to Aspire to Greatness
By recognizing the greatness of every kid, children can be inspired to reach for the stars and maximize their unique potential. Identify your child’s individual strengths and talents and help him or her develop them.
Help Children Get Along With Others
Help children get along with others at home, at school and with peers by teaching them the importance of healthy relationships.
Raise Children to Be Inspired Jews
Inspired parents will be in a position to convey their enthusiasm and passion for Torah and mitzvot to their children, and to create an atmosphere of simcha (joy).
Prepare Them for a Life of Tzedakah and Hesed
Instill in children the ideal of Olam Chesed Yebaneh—the world is based on tzedakah and hesed. Each person can make invaluable and unique contributions in helping all the Jews of the world.
After Rabbi Goldwasser’s lecture, a video was shown featuring excerpts from the recent Acheinu 2008 International Kiruv Conference which took place in Eretz Yisrael.
Rabbi Yakov Horowitz then presented a fascinating speech along with an innovative PowerPoint presentation demonstrating the way to view the uniqueness of every child—to see them as ‘little people.’
The emcee of the event was Rabbi Avrohom Schwartz, who shared anecdotes about the Acheinu International Kiruv Conference and Acheinu’s incredible work.
In addition to those in attendance at Ahi Ezer, the event was viewed by many in cities nationwide via the Torah Conferencing Network which provided the simultaneous broadcast via satellite, allowing hundreds of additional people to participate in the evening’s event.
For further information about Acheinu’s work, or to purchase tapes or CDs of the evening’s lectures, please call Rabbi Ahron Gobioff, Director of Development at Acheinu’s US office at 1-877-5-ACHEINU.
