24th Annual Rabbi Isaac Mayefsky Memorial Lecture
The presentation, entitled “Commitment: The Secret to Effective Parenting,” focused on strategies for effecting parenting. Rabbi Spero presented the importance of (a) always being there for our children so that they know they are never alone (b) providing real quality time with our children – make a “date night” with one’s child, (c) establishing realistic expectations and goals for all children – parents must be aware of each of their children’s strengths and weaknesses and recognize the uniqueness of each child, (d) teaching the concept of “ahavas Hashem” (the love of G-d and the fact that G-d loves us) in the life of all Jews, (e) the need to allow children to express themselves and be heard, (f) the fact that parents must parent their children – don’t be afraid to say “no” and teach children that often one need to live with personal sacrifices, and (g) doing homework with children in the most effective way – if needed, hire a tutor to fill in the gaps that are present. Time with our children is the ultimate gift from Above and it takes work to utilize that gift properly. Additional positive parenting suggestions were presented. Rabbi Isaac Mayefsky was a gifted educator who, in the course of more than 40 years of communal service, developed many key programs within the Associated Talmud Torahs, including the Russian Transitional Program and the Oscar & Bernice Novick P'TACH Learning Disabled Program. This lecture is part of the ATT's expanded program designed to address the challenges of creative teaching and rewarding parenting. Over the years, it has become an excellent resource for parents of children of all ages.
