By Rabbi Tina Sobo, Temple Israel

I used to watch in awe as some crafters stitched away while seamlessly participating in conversations, classes, or other gatherings.

Even as a self-proclaimed multitasker, somehow those seemed incompatible with the amount of cognitive effort needed for each individually.

And yet, I regularly wear a particular kipah handmade in our first year at Hebrew Union College by a now well-acclaimed curriculum writer (shout out to Rae Antonoff). She crocheted the intricate design during the very classes needed to write her fabulous curricula. That kipah is proof it can be done.

As I learned more about neurodiversity and cognitive profiles, I came to understand that for some, the easiest way to focus is to have a distraction.

Neuropsychology has taught that for some brains, attention will almost inevitably be divided between the task at hand and something else.

For these brains, instead of fighting the impulse of distractions, channeling that excess brain energy into something — a fidget, or in this case, a crochet project — allows the main part of your focus to stay attuned to the “real” task at hand more than attempting to keep from fidgeting.

Far from a sign of disrespect or inattention, such crafting endeavors allow a subset of folks to pay better attention while putting that extra, often anxious energy to a productive result instead of endlessly (and annoyingly) clicking or deconstructing their pens.

About a year ago, led by Alexandria King, Sacred Stitching was born at Temple Israel. The mission was simple: Stitching (crochet, knit, or otherwise) helps some participate more deeply in communal spaces and we could turn that need into a mitzvah.

The group has made winter gear for those facing housing insecurity, little hats for newborns and NICU patients, and in October, we are adding, for slightly more intermediate crafters, Knitted Knockers.

Yes, it is what it sounds like. Knitted (or crocheted) Knockers are breast prosthetics, primarily for those facing breast cancer, but also used by transgender individuals for chest feminization.

They address many issues like the cost, comfort, and durability of traditional breast prostheses.

If you are interested in the patterns or have donations of completed projects for any of these, any in our community are welcome to participate and/or drop off completed donations when the office is open. Just give us a call.

I anticipated that our biweekly gatherings would be a compelling excuse for participants to do something they love, in good company, and with donuts!

I anticipated that it would help reframe the negative stereotypes of being neurodivergent with an ability to fulfill a mitzvah in the course of day-to-day activities, embracing the need to multitask instead of trying to suppress it.

I anticipated that it would bring folks together and build new connections as we shared tips, tricks, materials, patterns, and positivity.

But I’m not writing this to pat myself on the back, because one of the best outcomes is one that I didn’t expect or plan on.

Multiple teens reached out to me. With high school, they can’t come to our biweekly gatherings but asked if they could get some yarn to work on a project on their own, or share the patterns, or show them a new technique, or just to show off what they were working on.

When considering the rabbinate, never did I consider that I’d be helping teens learn a “grandma hobby” in the halls between religious school classes and giving free access to a large tote of available yarns and supplies.

Far from being embarrassed by a first attempt at a project, teens were confident and proud showing me their work and sharing their ideas of what to make next.

Sacred Stitching helped foster an environment for that to happen and has perhaps been one of the best outcomes of this endeavor possible.

Teens who enjoy digging through a bin of yarn for what feels or looks nice might not seem like a big deal, but it is.

These creative leisure activities, including things like scrapbooking, baking, book clubs, gardening — far from “cool” when I was in high school —come with significant benefits to overall wellbeing for teens, especially in areas of mental wellness.

This impact has been documented recently in research psychology.

As I see more high schools and organizations that serve teens and young adults offer physical space and support for such creative outlets, and popular influencers promoting their own hobbies, I hope the trend of the younger generation feeling empowered to create for the sake of creation continues.

And I hope that we all can learn a bit from our teens about being open to trying new things, knowing they won’t be perfect the first time, finding new hobbies or activities, and with them, build stronger connections to one another — and maybe even being able to give a little back to those in need in the process.

To read the complete October 2025 Dayton Jewish Observer, click here.