Darchai Limud to Hold Open House

Chaim* was a nice boy who just wasn’t functioning in school. He didn’t really participate much. On the one hand, Chaim appeared like he might not be so bright. On the other hand, anyone talking to Chaim could see that he was a very intelligent young boy. Chaim’s parents, desperate to give him a chance, tried tutors. With the tutors, he learnt small amounts b’chessed u’verachamim, but it was clear that Chaim was not thriving in the mainstream setting.

When Chaim joined Cheder Darchai Limud, a skill based learning enhancement program in Crown Heights, he came to life. He began learning how to learn and became empowered. Together with the individualized attention, the feeling of support by being together with other similar students, and the unique skill based method that CDL has developed; Chaim thrived and developed a self confidence that would have never otherwise been possible.

CDL is a unique half day learning enhancement program that addresses the skills in core subjects while allowing the children to retain their sense of belonging in the mainstream by staying in their regular school for the main part of the day.

“CDL is a little bit like a resource room, only a full program addressing the skills of all core subjects at once,” says the director of the program, Rabbi Yehuda Adelist. In line with its holistic vision, there is an optional social skills class as well which has proven to be very beneficial to the children.

“’Why is that sense of belonging so important that it justifies remaining in a mainstream fold that hasn’t been working out?’ That is the question that many have been asking,” says Rabbi Adelist, “Yet many parents will still do anything to keep their child in the mainstream despite the above.”

CDL advocates strongly that everyone has a pathway to learning. Most students with an intensive program will be able to be fully mainstreamed within 2 – 3 years. The minority that cannot, deserve to learn the textual based subjects according to their level but still feel part of the norm. Sometimes an alternative to the mainstream is necessary, but CDL’s model is less restrictive and should be an option.

A pioneering program and a growing phenomenon, CDL began last year with a mere 8 students and has more than doubled one year later. Join Cheder Darchai Limud at the 580 Crown St Shul this Sunday, June 2nd between 10:30am to 12:00pm for an open house; and find out why for many, it is the answer.