The Race I Stopped Running
Dear Valued Employees,
As we approach Pesach, a time that reminds us of freedom from constraints, I was inspired by feedback I heard that embodies the spirit of liberation.
Last week, we received a referral for a very sick child who had spent 11 months in the hospital and was scheduled for heart surgery in late April. The parents’ wish was simple yet urgent - to begin Early Intervention services before this critical procedure.
Our dedicated EI team recognized that this situation called for breaking free from conventional timelines. Instead of being bound by our standard 30–45-day procedure, they mobilized immediately.
From a Wednesday referral to completing the evaluation on Friday, submitting paperwork the following Monday, and scheduling the IFSP meeting for Tuesdaythey accomplished in one week which typically takes over a month.
It’s remarkable to witness it time and again in our departments. When we free ourselves from rigid perfectionism and adapt and focus on what truly matters, we create space for extraordinary compassion and efficiency.
At our core, we’ve always believed in going beyond limits. In this season of liberation and letting go, I see how all our employees can cross their own Yam Suf when empowered to focus on what truly matters.
Mr. Freund; Executive Director
Insiders’ News Updates & Achievements
Kinderland Open Enrollment
Hamaspik’s Kinderland Early Intervention classroom is now accepting enrollment. A current parent marvels that her daughter, “is more mature, more advanced... she’s a real mentch.” What makes Kinderland exceptional is its unique blend of therapeutic strategies integrated with education. The teachers are experienced and tailor goals and activities for each child’s abilities. As one parent captured it, “I wished for the world to see the extraordinary in her—at Kinderland, they proved me right.
Ring Central Messaging Interruption
New Growth Ahead
The Westchester care manager team is pleased to announce Rosa’s promotion to supervisor, the former supervisor Mirisa is transitioning to focus on growth, referrals, recruitment, and expanding community services for the Westchester population.
Last May, RingCentral informed us that all SMS messaging required registration under new government regulations targeting spam and robocalls. These regulations aim to prevent messaging systems from being misused for marketing or advertising purposes. We promptly completed the registration process and received approval. However, in early February, many companies experienced text messaging outages. We were informed that re-registration was necessary—a process taking 5–20 business days. Currently, we can receive incoming messages, but outgoing texts remain affected. We’ve recently received partial approval, with each campaign limited to 49 numbers. We need six campaigns to cover all our phone lines. An additional complication is that incoming messages are temporarily suspended during the application process. Part of our registration is now approved, and we expect full approval soon.
Insiders’ News Updates & Achievements
The 100 Party
The NHTD team recently celebrated billing hundred NHTD clients with a special ‘100 Party.’ Staff marked this significant milestone with one hundred balloons and elegant place settings, honoring their teamwork and dedication.
NurtureSphere Brings Hope
Sarah Rosenthal, LMSW, led our recent NurtureSphere event with practical wisdom for parents navigating Purim and Pesach while managing children’s complex needs. One mother shared: “These techniques didn’t just help me understand stress—they gave me confidence.” She left not only with practical strategies but with empowerment to face her child’s medical challenges. This successful event exemplifies our team’s commitment to supporting families through culturally responsive, practical approaches that make a meaningful difference in their daily lives.
Office Hacks Work smarter, not harder
Lunch Traffic Jam
When you have a full office and only one microwave, lunchtime in the kitchen can get a little crowded. Well, here’s your solution.
• Choose a microwave-safe ceramic mug (avoid metal or plastic with metal trim.)
• Place the mug upside down in the center or off to one side of the microwave turntable.
• Put one dish on the turntable and a second, smaller dish on top of the mug.
• Set an appropriate heating time (usually slightly longer than normal since you’re heating two items.)
Cut your wait time in half with this solution—because office efficiency shouldn’t stop at your desk.
Then & Wow! The history of Hamaspik !
Hamaspik Headquarters Through the Years
e old o ce used to be lled with piles of binders, all archived without a digital backup.
e upper level of the old Monsey Hub building didn’t reach the full length of the structure. Hamaspik’s headquarters were considerably smaller.
e old o ces and desks were equipped with outdated computers and an abundance of le folders. All information was recorded in binders.
e former conference room where care managers met with parents, families, and individuals.
Then & Wow! The history of Hamaspik !
e cubicles in the previous o ce.
e new spacious cubicles in the expanded wing. Employees didn’t know how to make use of the excess space.
Moving day to the new wing was Sunday, March 4, 2012. Employees assisted by labeling all office items and furniture with numbered stickers and packing their desk contents into provided boxes.
e reception area in the newly added section.
The Race I Stopped Running
Ever feel like you’re sprinting through a marathon where the finish line keeps moving? You’re not alone. In the grand relay race of life, sometimes the most winning move is dropping the baton intentionally.
Hamaspik employees share moments when they finally stopped running races and discovered the freedom waiting on the other side. These stories remind us that sometimes victory doesn’t look like crossing the finish line first—it looks like stepping off the track entirely and finding a comfortable spot in the bleachers.
The Watercooler Conversation in the Office
I Couldn’t be His Mother
By Rochel*
I stood under the bright lights and sought out my mother. I stole the show in our school play, and I knew it.
Leading up to the show, there was a challenging couple of weeks of rehearsals. My drama coaches clashed over the persona of my character, gentle or firm. I was the ping-pong ball between.
Whoever caught me first ushered me into a room to instill their vision and I, the people-pleaser, parroted their style.
When I reached my mother, hope evident in my expression, she quickly tempered my excitement. “Now don’t let it get to your head.” She warned me. “Don’t grow overconfident from this.”
I felt like a tire driving over a bag of nails. Instead of the congratulations I longed for,
to suppress these emotions like shameful secrets.
Her mother—my grandmother—passed away during childbirth, and her father also passed away when she was a teenager due to an illness, leaving her without proper emotional nurturing and forcing her to compartmentalize her feelings behind internal walls.
For a moment, I felt that old anger rising why couldn’t she just be present? Why couldn’t she just be proud?
By the time I hit the stage, the character in me was a muddled mess of confusion, I abandoned all their coaching and acted on my instinct. And let them all take credit for my performance.
Now the final curtain closed, and I was seeking the person who mattered most. Finding her proved harder than I expected as ladies intercepted me to gush about my performance.
I received a lecture. My pride withered in shame. But this dynamic was all too familiar in my childhood
My classmates would laughingly reveal their mother’s phobias; spiders, strands of hair, or angry receptionist at the doctor’s office.
My mother is afraid of feelings. She fears feeling proud of me, experiencing love, or embracing happiness. We learned
Only much later when I got married and my husband’s praise made me uncomfortable, as if compliments lacked decorum. I was brave enough to pursue help and discover how functional relationships operate.
Breaking free from my mother’s viewpoints and emotional constraints was grueling. I felt like whenever I opened my mouth my mom popped out.
A couple of years down the line, already a mom of six, I found myself at my youngest
The Watercooler Conversation in the Office
The Man in the Mirror
By Chaim*
They’re out of organic eggs,” I update my wife while maneuvering out of the supermarket lot. Her resigned breath echoes through the Bluetooth connection.
The light ahead turns yellow, I slam the pedal, jerking forward against my seatbelt. “Heading home now,” I inform her, shouting the final phrase.
“Chaim?” Sarah’s voice crackled through the speaker I’d dropped into the cup holder.
“What’s happening?”
I loved the adrenaline rush, the victory of beating the system, the triumph of making it through before the red—often by microseconds and occasionally accompanied by honking horns and colorful hand gestures from other drivers.
My teenage daughters in
Time slowed down. The BMW swerved violently, its tires screeching like a shofar blast.
“Yellow,” I say my knuckles white around the wheel.
“Ah, I get it. Just... try not to kill anyone?”
My Sienna hurtled at the intersection with my signature move. Where other drivers saw a yellow light as a warning to slow down, I saw it as a test daring me to make it. And I had to.
the backseat would shriek and clutch their hair like panic buttons.
Meanwhile, my sons would cheer from the third row of their minivan. “Go, Totty, go! You got this!” They’d pump their fists in the air.
But today was different. The car ahead of me—a sleek black BMW—gunned it at the yellow light, accelerating at a dizzying
speed. I was about to follow, my foot already pressing down, when I saw them.
A boy, maybe seven or eight, holding his little sister’s hand. They were stepping off the curb, the crossing signal having turned on for them.
Time slowed down. The BMW swerved violently, its tires screeching like a shofar blast. It missed the children by inches—so close that the little girl’s dress fluttered from the rush of air.
I hit the brakes hard, my car jolting to a stop well before the now-red light. My heart hammered against my ribs. The BMW was already gone, disappearing down the street.
“Chaim? CHAIM! Are you okay?” Sarah’s voice seemed to come from very far away.
“Yes,” I managed, watching the children continue across, the boy now carrying his sister,
The Watercooler Conversation in the Office
Logging out of Perfection
By Chana*
The screen lit up my face in the darkness as I scrolled through another perfect vacation photo, another flawlessly arranged meal, another beautiful influencer in the ideal size with the meticulously coordinated clothes.
I hadn’t noticed how the hours had slipped away again until the weight of exhaustion pressed against my eyes.
Another day vanished into the digital void.
It wasn’t just my time that disappeared. Something deeper was eroding—my sense of contentment, my connection to what truly mattered, my ability to be fully present in my own life.
Many people experience profound wake-up calls - nearly causing an accident while on their phone or missing key moments in their children’s lives. For me, the decision didn’t arrive at a single, dramatic moment. It grew gradually.
Each message attempt I
received from strangers, each browse through the endless feed, filled me with inadequacy in the face of their ‘perfect lives.’ Until one day, while drowning in the sea of externals and facades of perfection, I couldn’t breathe anymore.
And so, I deleted my account.
“I gave up social media,” I now tell friends, watching their faces register surprise. “Not because I had to, but because I wanted to.”
The thirty days of possible account retrieval was a challenge. The pull. The glitz. The entertainment. Thirty days of wondering what I might be missing. The distraction of living and feeling. Social media plays with your mind. Releasing endorphins so you get pulled into the net.
ways being “in the know,” There were awkward social gatherings where conversations swirled around influencers or celebrities I no longer followed, leaving me feeling like an outsider. With each change of season came the pa-
rade of new fashion trends I was no longer privy to.
“I’m keeping my promise.” I told myself again.
The withdrawal was real. I missed the adrenaline rush of notifications, the comfort of al-
The boredom? I found that I enjoy doing so many things. I explored my talents. I read. I socialized with real human beings. I listened to podcasts and shiurim. And I grew.
I live mindfully. Without jealousy in my head.
The Watercooler Conversation in the Office
I now make brachos with intention, experience gratitude for my food, and actually taste what I eat instead of absorbing it while absorbed in my screen.
“Because you only live once.” I tell my friends. “ And when I look back, I want to be proud of my accomplishments and how I filled my time. I want to be present and mindful of the blessings He bestows.”
I find myself deleting apps that become new distractions and place timers on remaining ones, continuously reducing the allotted time. Each restriction first feels like a loss but reveals itself as a gift.
The struggle persists—the digital world’s pull remains strong, and there are moments when I feel the FOMO tug at me. But in the quiet spaces where notifications once dominated, I’m rediscovering what truly matters
And as I daven every day, I send up a prayer that He should continue to hold me through the temptations.
I stopped cleaning the bottom of my table every night even though I knew my kids wiped their hands there when I wasn’t looking. I decided if I’m not supposed to see it, I won’t see it!
-Rivki*
I stopped removing coffee stains from the counter and closing cabinets that were left open right before I retire to my room for the night, especially since my husband makes coffee in the middle of the night.
-Nechama*
I stopped using real dishes every dinner night, which means less time wasted washing dishes and more time for other chores.
- Esther*
I’ve accepted that having dinner prepared from scratch every single day isn’t necessary; buying food is halachically okay.
- Kaila*
I let go of needing the house to be in top shape before getting into bed. We function much better when we’re rested and not full of resentfulness because we’re tired. No one steals the mess overnight, and it gets done 10 times faster in the morning.
-Yitty*
*Names have been changed to protect privacy.
Office Polls Conversation in the Office
You’ve been staying late to finish assessments at work. Your family misses you at dinner.
Ask your supervisor what level of detail is actually required Leave at the end of the day no matter what Finish, quality matters most Other
You iron EVERY piece of clothing, including pajamas and socks. It’s getting too much.
Who am I trying to impress, my refrigerator magnets? Life’s too short to iron things that spend their lives stuffed inside shoes or under blankets Maybe I’ll just iron what people actually see. I won’t sleep in pajamas with a single crease. I must look normal at all times. Other
You’ve always cleaned your ceilings for Pesach, but you’re feeling overwhelmed this year.
I focus on what’s halachically necessary and use the saved time for meaningful Pesach prep Skip it. That dust has been there since the Bush administration and hasn’t turned into chometz yet.
If I don’t clean the ceilings, I’ll worry about it all Pesach Other
Office Polls Conversation in the Office
You used to make everything from scratch – homemade challah, down to chickpeas – but with your current responsibilities, it’s becoming impossible.
Bakery challah on busy weeks (and I’ve stopped apologizing for it!)
Still making everything homemade, just with less sleep
Realized my kids don’t actually care if their birthday cake is magazine-worthy
Other
You used to attend every obligatory Simcha, now you’re feeling stretched thin by the amount of social obligations.
Only attend immediate family and skip the small events like upsherins. Attend them fully. You show up because it’s right. That’s community. Still go, but arrive late and leave early.
Other
The Staff Room Employee Spotlight
Mayer
Klein Software and Integration Manager
WhenyoulogintoEnterpriseatHamaspik,yourcursorglidesacrossthescreen,andcompletes taskswiththesimpleclickofabutton. Whileyousubmitreports,Mr.MeirKleinmanagesthecomplexsystemsfrombehindthescenesthatmakeyourexperiencefeeleffortless.
WesatdownwithMayertouncoverhisjourneyfromsoftwareliaisontocommandingHamaspik’s in-housedevelopmentteam,andtopeekbehindthedigitalcurtainthatmostemployeeswillneverseeyetdependoneveryday.
How long have you been working at Hamaspik, and how did you start?
I came to Hamaspik five years ago, after the peak of COVID at the end of 2020. The timing was super stressful because we were about to roll out this huge change called EVV—Electronic Visit Verification—which meant everyone had to clock in electronically in real-time instead of submitting paper timesheets. I was hired just two weeks before the January 1, 2021,
deadline when everyone needed to start using the system. Talk about being thrown into the deep end! Those first few weeks were total chaos for payroll. Things got delayed, visits disappeared from the system—it was rough. But after a few months, we got things running smoothly.
How did your job evolve since you started?
Prior to my arrival, Hamaspik had partnered with Hamaspik of Kings to develop Enterprise, their custom soft-
ware.
The problem? Rockland didn’t have their own tech experts, so we had to follow Kings’ lead. We trailed whatever features they wanted, and we had to adapt whether we wanted it or not. There wasn’t a voice in Rockland to say what we needed.
That’s where I came in. As software liaison, I became Rockland’s advocate, ensuring their needs were communicated to the development team in Kings. But as time went on, it became clear that Rockland and Kings had dif-
The Staff Room Employee Spotlight
because the developers need to understand the “why” behind each feature. It’s not enough to say “add a button here”—they need to know what the button’s supposed to accomplish.
Toward the end of the day, I review all the help tickets and make sure either our implementation specialist has figured them out or I jump in if needed. I try not to get interrupted when I’m designing solutions, but honestly, my phone rings constantly with questions and issues. That’s just life in tech support!
You often compare software development to building a house. Can you explain that?
When you look at a house from the outside, it seems simple, right? You see walls and doors and windows. But if you tear down those walls, suddenly you see all this complicated stuff—pipes, wires,
support beams, insulation.
Software is the same way. Users just see a screen with buttons and forms, but behind that screen is a ton of complex code making everything work. Successful coding is more than just pressing buttons a billion times. Actually, the better we do our jobs, the less you notice all that complicated stuff. When the software is good, it feels simple and just works!
What’s a common misunderstanding employees have about your role?
People always mix up IT and software development, but they’re totally different jobs! ITs are like the people who maintain the roads and traffic lights in a town—they keep the existing systems running smoothly.
Software developers are more like the architects and builders who design and construct the houses. We build
the actual programs people use.
What cool project are you working on right now?
We’re setting up DocuSign integration with Enterprise, which is going to be a game-changer. Right now, when staff send out training materials or assessments, they do it manually. With the new system, Enterprise will automatically track who needs what, send out the DocuSign forms using the coordinator’s email, and then save the completed forms to the right person’s file—all without anyone having to lift a finger!
The only human part will be checking who sent the forms back and who needs a reminder. It’s going to save hours of paperwork every week.
What do you find most rewarding about your job?
Employee Vibes See it. Say it.
This month’s gift card winner:
Chana Schwartz QACoordinator
When Enterprise procedures threatened to overwhelm a distressed care manager, Gitty Goldschmit emerged as the office hero we all need. Rather than offering sympathy “have you tried turning it off and on again?” Gitty calmly stepped in with practical help, transforming a technical nightmare into manageable steps. Like a stress-defying superhero (minus the cape), she turned what could have been a workday meltdown into smooth sailing.
#PracticalHelpWins #CalmUnderPressure
By: Faigy Klein
OPWDD Supported Employment Supervisor, Mr. Levi Brandwein, goes the extra mile to assist individuals in need of services! An individual seeking employment services was feeling lost and confused about available employment services. Mr. Brandwein skipped the email chain and went straight for the phone. No scripted responses or rushed explanations; instead, he walked him through every option with the kind of patience that turns frustration into relief.
#NoEmailJustAction #ReliefInGuidance
By: Malky Weinberger
Despite being new to our Early Intevention team, Miriam Derbaremdiger has proven herself an exceptional service coordinator in record time. She mastered complex responsibilities that typically require extensive training—conducting client meetings, staffing cases with challenging schedules, and navigating complicated program transitions. When recently handed a transferred case with an imminent meeting and missing reports, Miriam tackled the challenge without complaint, securing necessary documentation and coordinating all meeting requirements.
#RisingStar #NoExcuses
Employee Vibes See it. Say it.
By: Esty Schonfeld
We all love our own kids, but what about the neighbor’s? Elisheva Fried, Kids UpClub manager, didn’t just focus on “her” program participants—she spotted someone outside her circle who needed help and jumped into action. Not content with simply finding this individual a job opportunity, Elisheva personally arranged the interview, provided transportation and moral support during the meeting, and ensured a safe return trip. In a world where it’s easy to say “not my responsibility,” Elisheva shows us what true community care looks like.
#UpstanderNotBystander #CommunityHero
By: Yermia Halberstam
Mr. Katzman stepped up when a client hit a roadblock. Their doctor couldn’t bill Fidelis because the system wrongly showed the coverage as inactive. This was a big problem since the doctor’s office only accepts Fidelis. And the doctor’s office let the family know that without billing Fidelis they will have to pay out of pocket. Instead of bouncing the issue back to the doctor’s billing team (where it technically belonged), Mr. Katzman made a few quick calls to Fidelis himself. Within minutes, he fixed what could have been a major headache for the caregivers. Problem solved before it became a crisis.
#TakingInitiative #Mr.KatzmanSolvedIt
By: Matty Schik
When a single, unemployed mother faced her daughter’s wedding with limited resources and a large family including a child with Down syndrome, Miriam Feldheim didn’t just sympathize—she mobilized. She identified multiple assistance programs and guided the application process. Miriam provided applications, offered hands-on help with paperwork, and implemented a follow-up system to ensure completion. Her extraordinary commitment transformed what could have been an overwhelming financial burden into a celebration supported by community resources, all while preserving the mother’s dignity through empowerment.
#WeddingSupport #CommunityCares
Employee Vibes See it. Say it.
By: Devoiry Spiegel
Miriam Feldheim, a Home Health Care Manager, received a desperate call that they need to move. Their child’s heart condition was exacerbated by the mold-infested apartment, making it unsafe for the baby. The family was aware of a vacant apartment but was denied assistance by Government Housing. Undeterred, Miriam penned a heartfelt letter, eloquently detailing the family’s dire situation. Two months later, the family was finally able to move into a fresh, safe apartment, thanks to Miriam’s unwavering advocacy.
#MoldyNoMore #MiriamTheAdvocate
By: Esty Schonfeld
Mrs. Heskel, the manager of the girl’s day hab program, recognized that a new parent who had recently relocated from out of town was feeling overwhelmed. To provide support, Mrs. Heskel began visiting her on Shabbos and established a learning partnership with her. Additionally, when one of her staff members moved to a new home and needed assistance, Mrs. Heskel sent her all the food for Shabbos meals. Her compassion and generosity serve as an inspiration to everyone around her.
#RoleModel #CompassionInAction
Submitted by: Perel Fisher
When a time-sensitive transportation form hit a roadblock, Leah Rosenberg’s dedication shone through. An individual’s mother, who has cognitive difficulties, had signed with just initials —something the bus company typically rejects. Rather than forcing the mother to navigate this bureaucratic hurdle, which would delay the child’s start at Hamaspik Early Intervention classroom, Leah collaborated with Chanie Wurzberger to advocate directly with the Student Bus company. Chanie explained the mother’s situation, emphasizing that this was her consistent signature method due to cognitive disability. The bus company made an exception, accepting the form as signed. Their persistence paid off.
#SignatureSquad #TrueColors
Simcha Hub Mazel Tov!
Joel Horowitz
Wannamaker Group Home Manager upon the birth of his baby girl
Fraidy Kestenbaum
EI OSC upon the birth of her baby boy
Esther Garber
CH Care Manager upon the engagement of her son to Wosner
Fraidy Katz
Levi Brandwein
Employment Services Supervisor upon the birth of his baby girl
Miriam Brinner Intake Coordinator upon the birth of her baby girl
Fradel Klein
CH Care Manager Supervisor upon her engagement to Rosenblum
Assistant to Director of Waiver Services upon her marriage to Kohn
On The Job Open Positions
Refer & Earn!
Refer a candidate and if the candidate is hired, you will receive a $250 referral bonus!
EI Service Coordinator
Overview: Coordinate services available through the Early Intervention Program for qualifying children. Collaborate with the care team and RC DOH officials to ensure service is provided as per IFSP mandate.
Qualifications: 2 years service coordination experience.
Hours: Part time
NHTD/TBI Service Coordinator
Overview: Coordinate services for individuals with traumatic brain injuries or require nursing home-level care and ensure that the plan is followed.
Qualifications: Bachelor’s or MA degree. Valid driver’s license required.
Hours: Flexible
Integrated Health Male Care Manager
Overview: Case management for individuals with mental health challenges and adverse life circumstances. Collaborate with the care team, offer compassion and support, and assist with community and government eligibility programs.
Qualifications: Experience in mental health & care management. Yiddish Speaking & driver’s license a plus.
Hours: 10-4
EI/HH Care Manager
Overview: Provide outreach and enrollment services for children eligible for NY State’s Children’s Health Home program.
Qualifications: BA or MA degree in human or health field, 2 years of service coordination experience.
Hours: Flexible
CH Care Manager
Overview: Provide outreach and enrollment services for children eligible for NY State’s Children’s Health Home program.
Qualifications: BA or MA degree, 1 year of office experience.
Hours: Flexible
Front Desk Secretary
Overview: Perform administrative and secretarial activities and assist with payroll responsibilities, and invoice processing.
Qualifications: Ability to multitask, work efficiently, good communication skills etc.
Hours: Full-time only
Welcome Aboard New Hires
Esty Surkis
Com Hab Coordinator
Chani Censor
Site Based Respite Coordinator
Elisheva Lauer
Comfort Health Care Manager
Raizy Flohr
Com Hab Coordinator
Goldy Gross Finance Assistant
Fraide Leah Shlisel FI Coordinator
Yides Kremer
Accounts Payable Assistant
Have no fear of perfectionyou'll never reach it.
- Salvador Dali