Who We Are
“There’s just something wrong with him.”
The families that come to us have been through a lot.
Well-meaning psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, and teachers have taught them clearly what to do, and they’ve listened well. But nothing has worked.
Implementing endless rules, learning the best chinuch approaches, providing incentives (and administering punishments), prescribed medication, alternative treatments - the list goes on.
At Kol HaNeshamot, our theory is as straightforward as it simple:
The child will not be able to grow at all until his family can be there for him.
It won’t be easy. Parents will have to be open-minded. They will need to learn to focus on their child's greatness rather than what is “wrong” with them.
Don’t go it alone. Your family can’t afford it.
One Family In Pain
Kol Haneshamot started as the story of one frustrated family battling to make sense of their son’s behavior. It wasn’t long before the child-at-risk moved out, and deep tension and desperation filled the home.
They didn’t give up hope and started to think outside the box (and found others who had done the same). They enlisted the help of Avi Fishoff of Twisted Parenting and Rabbi Shimon Russell LCSW to put together a comprehensive approach to “crisis-chinuch.”
And today, that child has happily returned. And many others never had to get to that point.
We know how to help because we’ve been there and tried everything else.
First contact. First responders.
Our network grew, and slowly, one family turned into many. We came together to share and encourage each other.
Back then, we learned that no matter who else is involved, the nuclear family will always be the first to confront whatever the child-at-risk is dealing with.
And that being the case, they must become true first responders.
The home must become a place of only compassionate and loving relationships. Acceptance should reign supreme, along with personal respect and inclusion. At-risk youth have lost faith in the possibilities that await them, and the parents must claim their unique role in re-building that faith.
Our Mission
We reached out to more professionals and became educated. We set up support groups and private counseling. We defined our goals and shot for the stars. And thankfully, we’ve gotten somewhere.
You can do it too. It is never too late to help your child and never too early to learn warning signs and prevent untold suffering in the first place. Together, we can close the GAAP:
Guidance
It’s not easy to swallow our pride and admit there’s a lot we don’t know. Reaching out to people who’ve been in this spot before and following their lead is our first step.
Awareness
We weren’t born with all the knowledge we need in this world. We have to open our minds and find out everything we can about our child’s situation and what we can do to help.
Acceptance
Our struggling youth are people on a journey – just like anyone else. At times, this journey will seem dysfunctional, rebellious, and destructive. We need to forgive ourselves and accept our kids for who they are.
Prevention
If acceptance can lay the foundation to help a child repair, it can also prevent significant issues in the first place. We must become proactive in maintaining a supportive, warm home environment.
Meet Our Team
Yaakov Lazar
Co-Founder and Director
Shelly Lazar
Co-Founder and Director of Women’s Programming