Parents of Abused Toddlers Feel Abandoned by Chabad
Four months after two caregivers were sentenced for assaulting toddlers at a Chabad daycare in Kiryat Gat, the parents report being left alone to deal with the severe emotional and behavioral consequences their children are experiencing. David, father of four-year-old Maya, described how his daughter has regressed in speech and behavior since the abuse, which he witnessed on surveillance footage showing her being hit, slapped, and kicked.
Maya, who was two and a half when the family moved to Kiryat Gat from Sderot after October 7th, has stopped speaking and exhibits anxiety, night terrors, and a need for a pacifier. David explained that even minor disciplinary actions cause her distress, and she has developed a fear of being reprimanded. The family, who lead a traditional lifestyle, chose the Chabad daycare believing it would instill Jewish values, but now feel betrayed and unsupported.
Adding to their distress, the parents claim Chabad, the organization operating the daycare, has completely cut off communication. David stated that attempts to reach the daycare's offices were met with closed doors and unanswered phones. He expressed a deep sense of abandonment, stating, "They abandoned us into a black hole, endless chaos. Suddenly we have to pick up the pieces alone." The families are paying for private speech therapy and psychological support, with the state offering limited assistance for such young children.
According to David, 13 other families whose children attended the daycare are facing similar challenges and are also funding their children's therapy independently. The parents are appealing to Chabad to take responsibility and provide professional therapeutic support for the children. "We need guidance and support," David urged, "We are asking Chabad to take responsibility and help. To provide professionals to treat the children. They are an educational network and haven't even apologized."
Legal representatives for the families acknowledge that pursuing legal action against Chabad for damages is premature, as the long-term impact on the children cannot yet be fully assessed. However, they are urging Chabad to provide financial assistance for the children's treatment in the interim. The judge in the original case reportedly noted that the toddlers' trauma would be long-lasting. The parents feel forgotten as the High Holidays approach, emphasizing their plea for help in healing their children.
