NEFESH UK, part of the International Network of Orthodox
Mental Health Professionals, organized a series of public
talks in London and Manchester entitled "Today's Adolescent
Turmoil -- the growing problem of Children `Off the Derech.'
"The guest speaker was internationally-renowned Chassidic
author, speaker and psychiatrist Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski.
Besides his obvious personal qualifications, Rabbi Twerski is
a descendant of famed Chassidic courts such as Czernobl and
Sanz, amongst others, and this provides his unique approach
and presentation.
London Student Chaplain Rabbi Jonathan Dove, who is the
founder of NEFESH UK and a student of Rabbi Twerski, said
that there were a number ofeasons behind organizing the
series of talks. "In establishing NEFESH UK we tried to find
opportunities for increasing the profile of certain
challenges facing our community. After consultation with
rabbonim and dayanim it was decided to focus on the
difficult and painful topic that Rabbi Twerski spoke on. This
turned out to be most opportune as the entire latest edition
of Agudas Yisroel of America's publication The Jewish
Observer was devoted to the topic of `Children on the
Fringe -- and Beyond.'"
In London, the evening was introduced by Rav Shimon
Winegarten, who related the following powerful story. "There
was an occasion where one of the rabbonim in Yeshivat Porat
Yosef felt that a certain boy should be excluded from the
Yeshiva. They went to the then-rosh yeshiva HaRav
Tzadka to request his permission for the expulsion. Rav
Tzadka asked, `Have you prayed for the boy?'
"They answered, `Yes.'
"Rav Tzadka asked, `Have you fasted on his behalf?'
"They answered, `No.'
"Rav Tzadka replied, `In that case we still have to put more
effort into the boy before he is excluded from the
yeshiva.'"
HaRav Elchonon Halpern then led the audience in the
recitation of an initial chapter of Tehillim. Rav
Winegarten delivered concluding remarks and Dayan Chanoch
Ehrenteu concluded with a final chapter of
Tehillim.
In Manchester, Dayan Osher Westheim introduced the evening's
topic to a massive audience and Rav S. Goldberg delivered the
concluding remarks.
Altogether, a total of approximately 1,200 people attended
the talks, with that number evenly split between London and
Manchester. Distinguished rabbonim and dayanim were in
attendance at both venues.
Rabbi Twerski spoke eloquently about the issue and addressed
three primary areas that could be focused on in order to
improve the situation.
* Parents need to be aware that the example that they
set in the home is the one that their children are most
likely to follow. This includes the respect shown by parents
to one another, as well as to figures of authority like
rabbonim and mechanchim. Rabbi Twerski strongly
advocated the introduction of parenting classes and workshops
for parents as well as children nearing marriageable age.
* Observing that the schools are often under-funded
and the teachers underpaid and overworked, Rabbi Twerski said
that more financial support needs to be provided in order to
enable schools and teachers to make better provision for
pupils of different levels of ability so that no pupil is
ever left behind.
* The introduction of microwaves, fax machines and
mobile phones has changed the face of society. People are
busier and everyone expects things immediately, which
increases tension and stress. This has in turn led to a
situation where parents do not spend as much time as they
should with their children. This intolerable and damaging
situation has to be changed.
These points were conveyed by Rabbi Twerski in an engaging
and occasionally humorous manner and enjoyed a warm reception
from the interested audience. Dozens of written questions
were received. Unfortunately time only allowed for several to
be answered.
Certain possibilities suggested by Rabbi Twerski are being
actively explored by NEFESH UK, in particular with regard to
further parenting workshops using interactive audio-visual
methods.
