YACHAD Family Shabbaton 2008

Dear Friends,

We are pleased to announce that the 22nd annual Family Shabbaton will be held on Shabbat Parshat Bamidbar, May 30th - June 1st at the Kutsher’s Country Club in Monticello, NY. The Family Shabbaton draws nearly 600 families, which includes Yachad members, their parents, and their extended families. In an unparalleled setting of warmth and love, this informal but structured program provides parents with the opportunity for mutual support and networking. Siblings have a similar opportunity to address their unique issues as brothers and sisters of an individual with special needs. We would like to bring to your attention that for the first time at this year’s Family Shabbaton we will be offering a full Tot program for parents of children ages birth to 5. This program is designed to focus on the needs of families and children in this young age bracket. Please contact Chani Herrmann at 201-833-1349 or e-mail her at herrmann@ou.org, for more details about these exciting new sessions.

Workshops, led by professionals on specific topics such as Autism, Down Syndrome, school-related issues, transitions, vocational training, social skills, residential opportunities, financial planning, and parent support groups are just some of the many important topics that these workshops address and which provide families with vital and timely information. Among the many presenters this year we have joining us for the first time Dr. Pamela Vemtolla from the Yale Child Study Center, where she has trained in the field of Autism. Dr. Verntolla will be addressing such issues as behavioral interventions, vocational training and social skills development. We are also privileged to have Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, executive vice president of the OU and Dr. Ronen Hizami, a psychiatrist who has extensive experience with special needs families. Also joining us for the weekend is Dr. Stephen Glicksman, developmental psychologist at Women’s League Residences, who specializes in child development, behavior management and social and cognitive skills development. We are pleased to welcome for the first time Dr. Alex Bailey, a clinical psychologist who specializes in the areas of communication and child development, and many other wonderful presenters!

In addition to the workshops offered you can enjoy Kutsher’s Country Club’s activities directly on its grounds, including an indoor and outdoor pool, miniature golf course, racquetball, tennis courts and much more. All of which our guests have unlimited access too. We are also thrilled to offer for our second year in a row, for adults only, men’s and women’s massages, given by professionally trained staff and one on one counseling session’s with our very own Dr. Jeff Lichtman (offered for our national families only). We are also very pleased to welcome back with us for his second year, Rabbi Yair Jacobs, a talented and skilled educator who will be running our most successful childcare program again this year.

Recognizing the significant cost to families, this program is highly subsidized. The cost per adult (ages 12 +) for the entire weekend is $240. Cost per child ages 7-11 (sleeping in parent’s room) is $95. Children ages 3-6 are $70 and any child age 2 and under are FREE. Limited scholarship is available on a first come first serve basis. Should you require assistance in this way, or have any additional questions, please contact Chani Herrmann at
201-833-1349 or e-mail her at herrmann@ou.org as soon as possible.

If you have not yet participated in this marvelous experience, please consider doing so. The Family Shabbaton creates a unique setting where our Yachad members are the stars, families interact, and where everyone grows. The Shabbaton is truly a beautiful and unique experience for everyone involved.

We look forward to greeting you at what we know will be another wonderful Family Shabbaton.

Sincerely,
Chani Herrmann & Blima Druker
Family Shabbaton Coordinators