Why Some Neurodivergent Jews Struggle in Synagogue

Why can shul feel overwhelming for someone who genuinely wants to daven? In this excerpt from the Thursday Night Call-In Show, Rabbi Shais Taub explores the hidden challenges neurodivergent Jews may experience in synagogue from time blindness and sensory overload to the pressure of keeping pace with the minyan while managing a tallis, tefillin and page after page of davening. Rabbi Taub also shares his own struggle to pray meaningfully in a crowded environment and explores the Chabad tradition of "the cheder sheini" a quieter space where individuals could daven deeply at their own pace while remaining connected to the congregation. This candid conversation examines acceptance versus growth, religious shame, self-advocacy and what it means to serve Hashem honestly when your mind works differently. #Neurodiversity #ADHD #OrthodoxJudaism #JewishPrayer #RabbiShaisTaub --- *For more classes from Rabbi Shais Taub:* 🌐 *Website:* https://www.soulwords.org/ *Follow Rabbi Shais Taub:* 📸 *Instagram:* https://www.instagram.com/rabbi_shais_taub 🎥 *TikTok:* https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbi_shais_taub 🐦 *X (Twitter):* https://www.x.com/ShaisTaub 📘 *Facebook:* https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573478244968 💼 *LinkedIn:* https://www.linkedin.com/in/shais-taub-81a95466/ 🎧 *Listen to the SoulWords Podcast:* 🎵 *Spotify:* https://open.spotify.com/show/51E7XHWFDbZCGJQz7CoAZP 🍏 *Apple Podcasts:* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soulwords-full-libr… *Support Our Work:* 💳 *Donate:* https://www.soulwords.org/donate/ 💰 *PayPal:* https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/soulwordspayments 💵 *CashApp:* https://cash.app/$soulwords 🪙 *Venmo:* https://venmo.com/u/soulwords *About SoulWords:* SoulWords is a virtual community hosted by Rabbi Shais Taub, where people come together to explore the spiritual insights of Torah and discover their unique purpose. This platform is here to facilitate your spiritual growth by sharing the mystical teachings of Judaism in contemporary language—making deep wisdom accessible and relevant to your life.