A dream come true, the brand new, stately Achiya Center is already functioning.   What had been a vision for many years is now a reality.  Now, Bnei Brak will be home to a much needed center where children, parents and teachers alike join forces to make a valuable contribution to the community.   

The new, warm look that graces the premises gives both parents and children who visit the feeling that in this place, with G-d’s help, the children will be able to make progress, to overcome their difficulties, and to continue their development just like their peers.

In a captivating, fascinating evening study session, Dr. Mira Greenberg, an educational psychologist and parental guidance counselor, discussed the constant dilemma plaguing every busy mother, and the need to renew our awareness of what are the true and correct priorities.  The lecturer had her audience spellbound with her practical advice, laced with numerous stories and a generous helping of her special humor.

This evening, as its predecessors in the series of “Our goal – education with elation” (in the Hebrew, education with a smile) took place in the heart of the city ofBnei Brak.  More than 180 women participated in the event, representing the full range of the charedi community.  These mothers acquired new tools and a wisely practical new view for handling the exigencies that form part of the daily life of large families; special attention was devoted to the period of the long summer vacation, with its many complex demands and challenges.  The participants felt that, with the help of the practical advice they received from Mira, they will be able to make genuine changes in their approach to their children and to the many tasks they are responsible to perform.

Rachel, one of the mothers, shared her experiences from that evening with us:  “The lecture was absolutely fascinating.  There is no doubt that everything that was said is 100% true, and the facts speak for themselves.  Actually, there are many changes that should be made both in ourselves and in what we do.  I left the evening with so much strength, and with haShem’s help, it’s always possible to correct something new; it’s never too late.  I learned that the children come before everything else – not cleaning and tidying, and other things that up to now I had felt could not possibly be ignored.  Also, humor is something that I’ll use in my home; G-d willing, this will help me to create a pleasant atmosphere.  The powerful message that was delivered will accompany me for a long time.  I’ll be really happy if you continue making such evenings with Dr. Greenberg.  Y’yasher koah!

Yehudit, another mother present at the evening, tells her impression:  “Dr. Mira Greenberg gave me tools to cope.  Especially now, in the vacation period, it is not easy in a house with children.  She helped me to organize my thoughts, to know what to say and what not to say to the children.  I felt that I went out with a new order in the things that are important to me – everything clear, according to haShem’s will and with respect for the children.  I gained understanding, and got rid of anger.  Mira touched upon important points; every sentence she spoke was of great value.”

A beneficial cooperation has developed between the Achiya Teacher Training Center and the Health Funds Maccabi and Me’uchedet in the North.  The melamdim who participated in the courses given by Achiya received important information and heard fascinating lectures on health topics related to children suffering from learning disabilities and developmental delays.  Senior experts from both Health Funds gave the lectures:Dr. Roni Rabi’a, head of Maccabi branches of health services in Rechasim and its suburbs, and the neurologist, Dr. Sergei Shabbtai.  Dr. Rabi’a expanded on the assistance provided to children with learning disabilities through the health funds, explaining that a portion of this assistance is included in the healthcare program, while the remainder is through supplementary insurance from Maccabi.

Dr. Shabbtai reviewed the subject of attention deficiency disorders in children, teenagers and adults, and presented to his audience methods for early detection in the classroom.  Dr. Shabbtai also offered the teachers guidance as to filling out the diagnostic forms that are distributed by institutes treating such problems, so that it will be possible to give maximum assistance to those who need it; he explained how it is of utmost importance that the psychologists and neurologists work together, and described in detail the process of diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Danny Villa, director of the branches of Meuchedet Health Fund in the North and the Shomron, addressed the teachers.  He informed the large gathering of the services which are offered by Meuchedet to children with learning problems, and discussed various aspects of child development.

Representatives from the “Clalit” Fund also expressed a desire to take part in the symposia, and it is expected that teachers in Achiya training programs will be hearing additional information from them in the future.

The information given melamdim and teachers as to the different services available in the community for children with difficulties is of significant importance.  It is usually the melamed who is the first one able to discover that a child in his class has difficulty, and, when necessary, he can make the parents aware of the situation and refer them to a suitable treatment source.  Early detection and intervention can, bs”d, greatly assist in narrowing gaps in learning and in preventing emotional damage, which accompanies technical challenges.  Assistance given to a child will give him the strength and the ability to close the gap between his level and that of his peers, and will teach him that he, too….CAN!

See more in Programs- A.D.H.D Center

“Today,  teaching has become a  respected vocation for many young men in the orthodox population, allowing them to work within the orthodox community and contribute to its welfare, while bringing home a substantial income that allows them to support their families.”

The new branches will be opened in January 2011 and will be one of the 10 branches situated throughout Israel.

The library, founded with the generous support of the Donald Berman Foundation includes hundreds of didactic and developmental games as well as developmental equipment which will be lent to parents for the pupose of advancing their children at home between treatments at Achiya. 

Read more at .http://achiya.org/program/support-for-parents-and-teachers/

Achiya director, Yitzchak Levin, thanked Mayor Asher for his support toward educational endeavors throughout Bnei-Brak.

“Endeavors such as the Achiya’s programs will enable our youth to overcome their difficulties and significantly reduce the number of adolescent dropouts.” stated Mayor Asher.