George Dennehy: Overcoming Obstacles with Optimism

Learning to play the cello is hard for an 8 year old.

Now imagine what it’s like for an 8 year old born without arms.

George Dennehy was that boy. Born in Romania and left to die in an orphanage, he was adopted by a loving and supportive American family when he was one. George’s childhood bullying left him depressed and hopeless, until the day he decided to change his tune.

At BT Middle and High School’s Erev Rosh Hashanah assemblies, George shared his incredible story and his positive approach to facing obstacles, leaving every person in the room amazed and inspired, ready to begin a New Year.

“I know how hard school can be, how mean some kids can be, I know how heartless we can feel sometimes,” George said. “But I strongly believe that God created each and every one of us on purpose, and we all have something to contribute to this world to make it a better place. This world is kind of a sad place, but we have a choice — we can join in the sadness, or we can be a part of the solution. I want to encourage you to think about how you can be a part of the solution. As we go into this New Year, let this New Year be a refreshing time for you to change how you might look at life, how you might look at challenges.”

George performed his original song compositions, both singing vocals and playing guitar.

Middle School Activities Coordinator added, “Every day of the year, we have an opportunity to be optimistic or pessimistic; to be positive, excited and hopeful, or to be frustrated, sad, scared and nervous. George’s shirt said, ‘Be a light’ — he didn't wear that shirt by accident. Our job is to be the light, to be positive, to be hopeful.”
"It's a Gift"


"Not Abandoned"




Learn more about George Dennehy’s amazing story here.
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Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School

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Baltimore’s only Jewish independent preparatory school serving PreSchool through Grade 12.