Our own Marcia Weinstein writes for Parenting Special Needs Magazine about "Everyday Heroes". And her everyday hero is our own Rabbi Michael Birnholz.
Rabbi Michael Birnholz “Everyday Hero” of the Month – December 2009
When our son, Evan, was first diagnosed with High-functioning Autism, we experienced the normal range of emotions that other parents in our position have felt for years. One of our main anxieties was that he wouldn’t be able to experience the same religious milestones as his older and younger neurotypical brothers.
When we lived in the West Palm Beach area, we attended a very large temple and Evan went to Hebrew School just like his older brother. I informed the teacher of his difficulties with language and asked for patience, and Evan sat through classes with no indication that he was having any trouble. He was happy to be there and enjoyed the environment, but I wasn’t sure that he was learning anything. Much of Jewish prayer is conducted in Hebrew, so a good part of the basic instruction is learning to read Hebrew…a completely different language with a completely different alphabet. Older brother, Zach, was doing fine, but I worried that Evan just wouldn’t get it.
We moved to Vero Beach, FL in the summer of 2007 and joined a small, intimate temple, very different from the previous one, with small classes, nurturing teachers and a very kid-oriented rabbi who just took to Evan like a fish to water. Evan’s behavior can be quite quirky, and his somewhat impaired socials skills make his unabashed verbal observations appear unexpectedly at times. Rabbi Birnholz took this all in stride and gave Evan exactly what he needed…attention and affection.
Because Evan had difficulty making friends when we first moved here, getting special attention from the Rabbi has just been the highlight of his religious school experience. Last year, was the celebration of Israel’s 60th birthday. It just so happened that Evan’s birthday that year was on a Sunday, one of the religious school days. There were balloons, cupcakes and a very celebratory atmosphere. Rabbi called Evan up to the front of the room, gave him one of the balloons and made a HUGE deal about Evan’s birthday in front of the entire school. Evan was all smiles for weeks and kept that balloon until the very last bit of helium was gone! A couple of weeks ago, Evan won the 1st runner up spot in the Citrus Elementary spelling bee. That Friday night, Rabbi Birnholz called Evan up onto the pulpit with him and gave him special recognition in front of the entire congregation. Again, the joy and smile on Evan’s face lasted for days!
Throughout the last two years, Rabbi Birnholz has made a point to work closely with all the special needs children in our religious school. His patience for the quirkiness is abounding and he strives to ensure that these children get a little bit of extra recognition for the work they do. It’s sometimes hard for kids with Autism Spectrum disorders to sit through a service or a class without acting out, and our Rabbi has made Evan’s religious education that much more fulfilling. Evan is reading Hebrew, has most of the Sabbath service committed to memory, sings and participates during services, and is never a behavioral challenge. That can only come from caring professionals who work with our children to make their participation, at whatever level their disability allows, special and meaningful. For more information about services, educational and other programming, please contact Temple Beth Shalom at
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Submitted by: Marcia W. Weinstein
“Everyday Heroes” written by Corey Barker / Anita Cox / Joan Grant Performed by Cash Creek (Myohana Music / Corey Lee Publishing / AC Songbird publishing)
