On Motzei Shabbat, December 23, Shomrei Torah in Fair Lawn hosted the first book launch event for “Kosher ADHD: Surviving and Thriving With ADHD in the Torah-Observant World.” Shomrei Torah’s very own rebbetzin, Dr. Sara Markowitz, co-authored the book alongside Dr. Simcha Chesner of Israel. “Kosher ADHD” offers practical approaches to transforming the chaos of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder into a fulfilling, Torah-observant life. Chesner and Markowitz provide guidance for people to thrive personally, and within the family, school and community.
Starting the event, Naomi Noble, Shomrei Torah’s sisterhood president, shared some thoughts as a psychiatric nurse about the importance of taking care of one’s mental and emotional needs. She then introduced Rabbi Andrew Markowitz, Shomrei Torah’s rav, who inspired the crowd with the idea that the children are perfect and that adults need to adapt.
Chesner, originally from Ohio, made aliyah in 1991 and since then has been a leading educator and resource for the ADHD world. In his opening remarks, he said that a study in Israel showed that children diagnosed with ADHD who have not been helped go off the derech, leaving their world of Torah observance. Chesner shared his hope that this book will be a resource and guide for parents and teachers to best support their loved ones.
Markowitz is the founding director of an intensive outpatient program (IOP) for Jewish women at Achieve Behavioral Health, the largest behavioral health center serving the greater Jewish community. She described “executive functioning” skills and how someone with ADHD may function in ways that don’t make sense to others. By learning how those with ADHD function, loved ones may drop judgmentalism and embrace compassion, while also empowering those with ADHD to accept responsibility to learn effective ways to live according to Torah values, even when it can be at odds with their particular executive functioning abilities.
Chesner and Markowitz are launching an important mission within klal Yisrael and the community will all be better for it. The authors took thoughtful questions from the audience and then ended the evening with book signing and light refreshments. “Kosher ADHD” is available on Amazon and at local Judaica stores.
