About Assaf …

Assaf is the youngest in his family. His older siblings were already out of the house. The parents were dysfunctional; unable to discipline, to run an efficient home or serve as role models for their children. At some point, the couple divorced. There was much bitterness and acrimony involved until the marriage was dissolved.

Assaf's mother was emotionally imbalanced, so the courts ruled that he not live with her. The father was not interested in looking out for him either, nor did he display interest in fostering a relationship with him. So the judge placed Assaf in a foster home, but life was still tough for him.

He was diagnosed with a severe case of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and lagged behind socially, with behavioral disorders and immature conduct. The foster family helped him rehabilitate and for a couple of years Assaf seemed to be doing well. When he was ten years old, he became increasingly difficult and even ran away. Although he returned to the foster family, he was now showing signs of violence.

Assaf saw his father as a positive role model and looked forward to his visits with him. The father led a secular lifestyle and the foster family was Orthodox. The boy was understandably torn in different directions and this situation created tension for everyone involved.

Assaf's frustrations led him to violent outbursts and erratic behavior. The gaps broadened between the father and the foster family and the atmosphere became extremely stressful - until the family felt that they could no longer cope. As the biological mother did not prove to be a responsible caretaker, the courts moved Assaf once again and he is now a resident at Sanhedria.

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