By Rabbi Moshe Lieblich
This past Shabbos, I published a booklet titled “Helping Our Struggling Children: A Guide for the Community.” It was written for parents, mechanchim, and anyone trying to understand and support children who are struggling—emotionally, spiritually, or behaviorally—especially when the usual chinuch approaches don’t seem to be working.
Since it came out, I’ve received tremendous feedback from people who said it helped them see things differently, gave them chizuk, or simply reminded them that they’re not alone. That meant a lot to me—and it made me realize that this is something more people should have access to.
So I’m sharing it here for anyone who wants to read it.
This isn’t just a message of encouragement—it’s a practical guide. The booklet outlines a full approach to helping struggling children succeed. It walks you through what these children are really experiencing, why traditional methods often fall short, and what we can do differently to truly reach them.
The approach moves away from pressure and punishment, and instead focuses on building real connection. When we shift from trying to control our children to working on ourselves and becoming the kind of people they want to learn from, that’s when real change begins.
Click here to download the full booklet.
Please feel free to print it, read it, and share it with others.
This work is being done in conjunction with Neshamos, and together we’re launching a monthly group for parents seeking guidance and support. It’s a warm and respectful space for parents of struggling teens to connect, share, and grow together. If you’re a parent looking for guidance, or an educator trying to better reach your students, this is the work I do—through workshops, school training, and one-on-one coaching.
To learn more about the monthly group or to explore how I can support you or your community, feel free to reach out at [email protected] or 347-234-8928.
Don’t shun them from your schools and camps
Don’t call yourself the Rebbe’s school or the Rebbe’s camp and only take kids that area easier for you to take
If you don’t want to take them, at least don’t call yourselves the Rebbe’s schools and camps, so at least you’re honest with yourselves
i can’t count how many times i have reached out to a new chabad leader somewhere and been completely ignored, never responded to my email or text.
These children should not be troubled in the first place. They are not all the same and your systems don’t work for all. And as the previous person said stop judging and excluding them. It doesn’t help.
A must-read!
Also teach your kid to be nice to everyone. Even if someone in his class is different.
Eveyone is afraid to say it ….The chinuch system needs a huge overhaul in terms of the top leadership. The teachers are tzadakim- loving and caring and working with vapors financially. But the principals of the older girls and camp directors have lost their way. Excluding the ones that are not cookie cutters. Basically proclaiming – Chinuch is a job we avoid by dealing with the “easy” ones only. Meanwhile they seal the fates on these kids by emotionally destroying them with this rejection. The parents are forced to pour tremendous amounts of money time and love above and beyond… Read more »
Why doesnt the booklet discuss the core of the problem the lack of professionals who are running the schools, abusing the kids , destroying lives and families!!!
Children who are loved unconditionally and have a secure attachment with their parents are much less affected by external factors like those. It’s when the child wasn’t loved unconditionally and doesn’t have a secure parental attachment when these factors have serious impact.