Fathers of children with special needs traveled from Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Kiryat Sefer, Bnei Brak, Ganei Yavne and Rehovot to attend “Zechut Avot,” a unique conference held by the special-education network Patachya. The event took place at the Olamiya hall overlooking the Old City walls and was framed as a day of empowerment, practical tools and recognition of the fathers’ role in raising these children.
The highlight was the arrival of prominent halachic decisor Rabbi Amram Fried from Bnei Brak, who sat for a long session answering difficult questions from the world of special education. The issues included how to handle children with special needs in synagogue, prayer, Torah study and mitzvot, along with broader questions about parenting, conduct at home and in society, and understanding the child’s place within the family. Fried ruled on the questions and also encouraged the parents, saying, “You already have special strengths, and that is why you merited this mission. And after receiving the gift, you were given even more and more strength, to raise these souls and invest in them to grow them in the way suited to them and according to their abilities and traits.”
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion also addressed the fathers, saying, “I salute you, quite literally,” and noted the challenges faced by them, their wives and their families. He said they meet those challenges with strength, mission, love and pride, in cooperation with Patachya’s teams, whom he praised for their dedication to the children.
Patachya CEO Rabbi Yehuda Aryeh Goldknopf opened by saying he was not worthy to speak before such a special audience, adding that the true reason he could stand there was “Zechut Avot.” He said the organization’s daily privilege is to partner with the fathers and provide for the children’s emotional, professional and material needs. The evening was hosted by broadcaster Rabbi Avi Mimran, himself a father of a special-needs child, and featured performances by Rabbi Meir Adler with the Malchut Choir and musicians led by Rabbi Tzviki Rubin, plus appearances by performers Rabbi Mordechai Tzin, Rabbi Meir Stein and Rabbi M.Tz. Itzkowitz in a moving production called “A Special Father in His Own Way.” The event ended with songs, dancing and gift packages, and Patachya said it received warm thanks and enthusiastic responses from the fathers.
