Jewish

How the Lubavitcher Rebbe Educated The World About Autism in 1989

Today marks the 113th birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of righteous memory (1902-1994).  The Rebbe, the seventh leader in the Chabad-Lubavitch dynasty, is considered to have been the most phenomenal Jewish personality of modern times.  Every year, his birthday is celebrated as Education and Sharing Day U.S.A.. Education Day U.S.A. focuses on the very foundation of meaningful education: instructing our youth in the ways of morality and ethics.

The Rebbe's Approach To Individuals With Autism

As tomorrow kicks off Autism Awareness month I would like to share a video of an event that took place in 1989. Every Sunday the Rebbe would receive thousands of visitors who would wait on line for hours to see the rebbe and receive a dollar to be given to charity. Often during this time people would ask for personal blessings for the physical and spiritual health of family members. In the video below an individual asks the Rebbe for a blessing for his son with autism. Watch the Rebbe's response below. Remember that this is in 1989 - 25 years ago when the words autism awareness were unheard of and individuals with autism were looked down upon.