Naomi Shabtai dedicated 24 years of her professional life to the Kennedy Krieger Institute, serving as a Service Coordinator for the Kodem Kol program through the Baltimore Infants and Toddlers Program. Her work was not just a career – it was a calling rooted in her deep commitment to her community.
As a proud member of Baltimore’s
Orthodox Jewish community, Naomi understood firsthand the unique needs and
cultural sensitivities of the families she served. In 2002, she was approached
by her program supervisors with a visionary task: to launch the Kodem Kol
program, designed specifically to support Orthodox Jewish families in Baltimore
City. At the time, this community was significantly underrepresented in
referrals. Thanks to a grant from the Maryland State Department of Education,
Naomi took the helm and built the program from the ground up. Her leadership,
cultural insight, and unwavering dedication made Kodem Kol a trusted and vital
resource.
Naomi made a profound difference in
the lives of the families and children she served. Her compassion, advocacy,
and tireless efforts helped countless families access the support they needed,
often during their most vulnerable moments.
*
* *
Here are just a few reflections
from families she touched:
“Naomi changed the path for my
child, enabling her to access services to help her reach her potential…. I
would like to pass on her legacy and support those who need, just as she did.”
“The moment our Rebbetzin heard
that our infant had special needs, she immediately said, ‘Call Naomi Shabtai.’
She helped us find our footing at a challenging time, and her impact will
always be felt.”
“Almost 20 years ago, we were in
for the shock of our lives when I gave birth to a daughter with special needs.
Without Naomi’s guiding hand during those crucial first years, I doubt my
daughter would be who she is today.”
“Approximately 20 years ago, Naomi
Shabtai, a”h, entered our life. We were planning to invite her to our
son’s wedding in three weeks. We never even had a chance to tell her that he
was engaged.”
“Naomi was always pleasant, quick
to smile, and I never saw her flustered, and certainly not angry. I will miss
seeing her bright smile. Yehi zichra baruch.”
*
* *
In February 2020, Naomi was
diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. For over five years, she faced her illness
with extraordinary courage, optimism, and faith. Despite enduring pain,
hospitalizations, and countless treatments, Naomi remained determined and hopeful,
believing in the possibility of miracles.
The last 18 months were especially
challenging, yet her spirit never wavered. In early January 2025, Naomi made
the difficult decision to step away from her role to focus on her health. She
entered hospice care shortly after, and it is with deep sadness that Naomi
passed away on June 26, 2025.
Naomi loved what she did, but her
proudest role was being a wife to her adoring husband, Menashe, and a mother to
her six children: Nathaniel, Jeremiah, Benjamin, Gabriel, Eviatar, and Smadar.
She loved nothing more than to share stories about her family – with honor and
humor – in the best way possible. She was also a dedicated friend to many of
us, and her unwavering support and good company have left a lasting void.
To honor Naomi’s remarkable career
and enduring spirit, a commemorative brick bearing her name has been placed at The Early Childhood Development and Education Center –
formerly PACT – the very building where she worked and made a lasting
impact. This tribute stands as a symbol of her dedication and the lives she
transformed.
Naomi was buried in Israel,
fulfilling her heartfelt wish and honoring her deep faith and heritage. Naomi’s
life reminds us of the power of purpose, resilience, and love. We will miss her
dearly, but her legacy will live on in the work she championed and the hearts
she touched.
Yehi zichra baruch—May her memory
be a blessing.
