A major new center for the development of children with special needs is nearing completion in Moscow, marking a first-of-its-kind initiative in the Russian capital. During a visit to the newly renovated facility, Chief Rabbi of Russia Rabbi Berel Lazar was welcomed by director and shliach Rabbi Avraham Elimelech Gedj, who led a detailed tour of the center as final construction work continues. The institution, named “Улыбка сердца” (“Smile of the Heart”), is expected to open in the coming months and will provide a warm, professional, and supportive framework for children with special needs, as well as for their parents and families.
The new center was established with the goal of accompanying each child throughout the day while offering educational, emotional, physical, sensory, and developmental support tailored to individual needs. Children with a range of developmental challenges will benefit from the guidance of professional specialists and a personalized approach designed to help each one progress in his or her own way.
Rabbi Gedj, who was called to lead the project after nearly two decades of distinguished work in education in Moscow, said the center’s programs will include emotional therapy, cognitive and academic development, motor and movement therapies, and sensory-developmental treatment. In addition, children will be able to participate in a variety of enriching activities such as art and ceramics, music, singing, dance and movement, painting and crafts, and cooking workshops, which are known to strengthen motor skills, independence, and self-confidence.
A special emphasis is also being placed on supporting the family as a whole, based on the understanding that a child’s development is deeply connected to the home environment. Alongside services for children, the center will offer emotional support for parents, assistance in navigating bureaucratic processes related to disability documentation and benefits, and activities for siblings as well.
Even during the establishment stage, the staff has already begun arranging family events, trips, and gatherings aimed at strengthening the home as a place of acceptance, love, and calm. The initiative seeks to help families feel that raising a child with special needs is not a burden, but a meaningful and valued responsibility, in an environment where every child is appreciated and encouraged to grow in his or her unique way.
Currently in its final stages of construction following a comprehensive renovation, the founders hope to open the center in the near future and begin serving the many families who have long been waiting for such a framework. As a unique and pioneering institution in Moscow, the center has already drawn notable interest from non-Jewish special education organizations seeking to learn from its high standards, which are recognized in Israel.
At the conclusion of the visit, a brief l’chaim was held, during which Rabbi Lazar praised those involved in this important work and offered his blessing for much success and continued impact.
Photo: A. Alexander
