O

ver 250 heads of school, 
superintendents, decision 
makers and leaders con-
vened on March 6 with a common 
mission: to exchange ideas, share 
resources and nurture aspirations for 
the advancement of special education 
in Michigan. The James Grosfeld 
Center for Special Education and 
Support Services, a division of 
Yeshiva Beth Yehudah, hosted this 
impactful symposium, drawing edu-
cational leaders from across the state. 
With broad attendance from more 
than 70 organizations and schools 
dedicated to the education of chil-
dren, the uplifting event highlighted 
all that can, and must, be done with 
determination, focus and attention to 
this critical need.
The Grosfeld Center is a dream 
come true for every parent of a 
child who struggles in a tradition-
al classroom. One hundred and 
one experienced educators work 
with students who have autism, 
deafness, emotional disturbance, 
hearing impairment, specific learn-
ing disabilities, speech or language 
impairment, developmental delays, 
auditory processing disorders, 
cognitive impairment, behavioral 
disorders, selective mutism, Down 
Syndrome, ADHD, OCD and lan-
guage processing disorders in a 
variety of settings — in the least 
restrictive environment for each 
child whether from the early inter-
vention classroom in the preschool 
to children integrated as much as 
possible into general education 
classrooms and academic enrich-
ments. The goal? That each student 
realizes his or her potential for suc-
cess in work, school and life. 
The Grosfeld Center thoroughly 
addresses issues that can impact 
learning, mental health, and social 
development and repeatedly tests 
and monitors students’ progress 
throughout elementary school. 
Needless to say, this innovation and 
this level of individualized educa-
tional support for students is vital 
to every child in our community. 
It may be uncommon, but it’s not 
impossible, according to educators 
at the Yeshiva. 

THE SYMPOSIUM
The symposium had one clear 
goal: to spark innovation in special 
education. Throughout the day, 
distinguished experts in the field 
spoke to the group, enlightening the 
audience with valuable insights. The 
event culminated with a dynamic 
panel discussion, where participants 
exchanged ideas and shared their 
perspectives. In hosting this gath-
ering, the Yeshiva showcased their 
programs in order to inspire others 
to embark on similar endeavors for 
the benefit of children in their own 
school communities.
 The symposium was chaired by 
Mark Zausmer, managing share-
holder of Zausmer Law P.C., who 
felt compelled to become involved 
with the Grosfeld Center after his 
wife Laura was given a tour. “This 
has been a labor of love,” he said 

as he welcomed guests to the event. 
“The purpose of the symposium is 
simply to gather the best minds in 
this state in the area of special edu-
cation services in an effort to share 
best practices, to encourage each 
other and to find ways for each of 
us to collaborate and make this area 
of education available to every child 
across every district. We encourage 
anybody in a position of influence to 
do more for this vulnerable popula-
tion of children whose greatness lies 
just over the next bump in the road.”
Paul Mersino, president of Butzel 
Long and active with Catholic 
Foundation of Michigan Board, 
was the first to speak. Mersino met 
Yeshiva President Gary Torgow, 
who set up a tour of the Grosfeld 
Center for the Catholic Foundation 
of Michigan. “Here we were, a 
group of Catholic parents raising 

funds for the Catholic Foundation 
of Southeast Michigan, invited into 
this Jewish day school with open 
arms,” he said. “They rolled out the 
red carpet, showed us around the 
school, and quite frankly, they blew 
our socks off. Everything they do 
here just screams excellence. The 
school was thriving. What was clear 
walking through the school was that 
not only is this amazing for these 
students who need this help and 
their families, it’s good for the entire 
school. It’s good for the entire com-
munity.
“We walked out of Yeshiva Beth 
Yehudah that day inspired, confi-
dent and completely energized,” he 
said. “I thought, ‘as amazing as what 
they are doing, that is something we 
can do too in our own way.’” He set 
out to make a difference.
Mersino was compelled to begin 
an effort to encourage and raise 
awareness and gather funds to 
strengthen and support this mission 
for children in Catholic schools 
throughout Metro Detroit. “My 
youngest son, Jacob, 5, was blessed 
with the gift of Down syndrome, 
and Jacob is one of my favorite peo-
ple in the world. I would not change 
a thing about him even if I could, 
but there is a reality when it comes 
to educational options and opportu-
nities, in particular with some of our 
private parochial schools,” Mersino 
said. “Some of those options just 
aren’t there for Jacob that are for his 
brothers. It’s not because the schools 
don’t want to, but because they’re 
not equipped. They don’t know that 
it’s a possibility, perhaps.” 

OVERVIEW OF SPECIAL 
EDUCATION SERVICES
Lissie Rothstein, director of 
the Grosfeld Center for Special 
Education and Support Services, 
shared how the school has been 
working the past decade to bring 
their vision to fruition. “Our aim in 
showcasing our approach here today 
is to inspire others to continue to 
foster positive change and to collab-
orate to advocate for the success of 
all children,” she said.

FROM RIGHT TO LEFT: Angelique Power, President and CEO of the Skillman Foundation; Dr. Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent of Detroit Public Schools Community District; 
Eric Haley, Associate Superintendent of the Southern District of Detroit Catholic Schools; and Dr. Colleen Allen, President of the Autism Alliance of Michigan.

Symposium chair 
Mark Zausmer 
emceed the event.

Yeshiva Beth Yehudah Special Edition NOVEMBER 3 • 2024 | 27
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