18Forty Podcast The Gopins: When a Child Cannot Read [Divergence 6/6]
May 6, 2025
Chana Gopin navigates the challenges of raising her daughter Bayla, a dyslexic student at Yeshivat Shalshelet, alongside Shulamit Roth, the school’s founder dedicated to supporting children with language-based learning differences. They discuss the emotional toll of academic pressure in the Jewish community and how specialized education can empower students like Bayla. Bayla shares her journey, emphasizing the importance of understanding and acceptance in learning environments, and the need for rethinking intelligence beyond traditional measures.
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Bela's Early Reading Struggle
- Bela remembered in third grade noticing she couldn't read while everyone else was reading books.
- Her teacher did not expect her to read along, which made her feel different and unproductive in class.
Advice to Parents Starting Out
- Parents should know they are not alone in supporting children with learning disabilities.
- Keep seeking help and providing resources to help your child reach their potential.
Redefining Smartness in Judaism
- Academic success shapes Jewish identity deeply, but emphasizes a narrow definition of intelligence.
- We must broaden our understanding of smartness beyond academics, embracing diverse intelligences.
