Many agencies and organizations in the Jewish community are striving to provide opportunities to welcome people with disabilities into all aspects of Jewish life.  Several of these programs are supported by CJP.  Others receive funding and support from other sources.  Every one of these programs shares a vision and a goal to make Jewish life accessible and meaningful to all Jews.

For information about accessing programs or services, the Disabilities Resource Network at Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JF&CS) offers a helpful place to begin.  Contact Sandy Slavet at 781 693 5023 or sslavet@jfcsboston.org for more information about Jewish and secular programs for people with disabilities.

 

Services for Families:

JCC Special Needs Services*: The JCC offers a wide variety of direct service programs, community education seminars, and Jewish enrichment programming for people with disabilities of all ages.  The Ledgewood Special Needs Program provides early identification and intervention for children aged 3-5. CampGrossman, JCC Maccabi,CampKingswood all offer inclusive special needs components in their summer day camp and overnight camp programs.   The JCCGB provide adapted aquatics, movement, social skills and creative arts programs for children and teens.  Programs for adults include activity groups, adapted aquatics, adapted yoga, social groups and Jewish learning.  The JCC works with advocates and families on inclusion issues through its “Beyond the Ramp” conferences and committees.  For more information, contactJudy Pearl at 617 558 6508 or specialneeds@jccgb.org

Educational Programs*:

Gateways to a Jewish Education

Gateways: Access to Jewish Education’s mission is to make a Jewish education available for every Jewish child. Today, Gateways is the central address for Jewish special education in Greater Boston. Our programs and services include:

Gateways Jewish Day School Programs

Gateways day school programs and services provide students the extra support they need to succeed in school. Gateways provides on-site special education services beyond what the schools themselves can offer. Gateways works with students, teachers and school special education staff in participating schools to enhance students’ developmental, academic and social skills and strategies in the classroom. Children receive individual, small group and in-class support from a team of speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and reading and learning specialists who also work with teachers on curriculum modifications and instructional strategies. Core elements of this program include:

• Gateways Student Support Services: Speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, learning and reading support and social skills groups
   
• Consultation: Gateways therapists and specialists are in ongoing collaboration with teachers to help students carry over strategies to the classroom.

Gateways Jewish Education Programs

Gateways provides Jewish educational programs to children ages 4 to 18 who would benefit from a highly structured program of innovative hands-on learning, individualized attention and small classes. These include those with moderate to severe disabilities, such as development delay, autism spectrum disorder, hearing and visual impairments and other needs. The program supplements its professional staff with a cadre of teen volunteers who provide one-to-one support to each student. Core elements of this program include:

• Gateways Sunday Program
• GatewaysHolidayPlaygroup for Preschoolers
• Gateways Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program
• Gateways Mitzvah Mensches Teen Program
• Gateways Teen Volunteer Program

Gateways Community Special Education Services

Gateways provides consultation, professional development, resources, and support services to congregational and community supplemental Jewish education programs and Jewish preschools and early learning centers throughout Greater Boston. We work collaboratively to enable students with a wide range of learning needs to participate and succeed. Core elements include:

• Gateways professional development and consultation in congregational and community schools
• Gateways professional development, consultation and services in preschools and early learning centers
• Gateways management and support of innovative projects via our community grant process
• Gateways Teen Madrichim Training (formerly TeenAde) 

GATES (Gateways Access to Training for Educational Success)

As GATES, our new name for Gateways’ professional development programs, Gateways offers an expanded menu of state-of-the-art and integrated professional development programs. These include:

• Shared learning by teams of educators through staff workshops and seminars
• Classroom observation and debriefing
• Ongoing coaching and consultation
• Facilitated team meetings throughout the year

The GATES model has been implemented in many area day schools and is currently primed for expansion into congregational and community supplemental schools and additional Jewish preschools, with workshops and materials adapted to the needs of those staffs.

To learn more about Gateways and its programs and services, visit www.jgateways.org. We also invite you to contact us at info@jgateways.org or 617-630-9010.

 

Center for Jewish Special Education at Hebrew College:  The Center is the only one in the country to offer courses, a certificate, and professional development in Jewish Special Education.  Our online modules are designed for teachers of inclusive classrooms and special educators in preschool, supplemental and day schools.  These classes can be taken with or without receiving credit, so parents, lay leaders and other professionals can enroll. Educational institutions can work with our professors to tailor a professional development program for their staff’s needs.  Every spring we organize the only national conference related to special needs in Jewish settings.  At the GISHA (Good Ideas Supporting Hebrew Access) conference you learn from a recognized speaker who provides a keynote address, attend practical workshops offered by people working in the field, and have the opportunity to network with others who are providing programs for Jewish children with special learning needs. Visit our website or for further information, contact Dr. Sandy Miller-Jacobs at 617-559-8615 or smillerjacobs@hebrewcollege.edu.

Services for Teens and/or Adults:

CHAI* (Community Housing for Adult Independence) of Jewish Family & Children’s Service provides housing and residential services for adults with disabilities.  If you or family members would like more information about residential services, contactSandy Slavet at 781 693 5023 or sslavet@jfcsboston.org.

CHAI Works* is a day support program that offers opportunities for volunteering, internships, employment training and paid employment to adults with disabilities.  The program is sponsored by JF&CS.  Clients work at JF&CS and in community settings.  ContactDoreen Cummings 781 647 5327 x 1938 or dcummings@jfcsboston.org.

Jewish Vocational Services (JVS): Connections provides a continuum of services to assist Jews with disabilities improve the quality of their lives through personalized career planning and placement services. Support is provided on the job and while in school to enable participants to successfully achieve and maintain their identified goals.  JVS’ Partnership for Careers and Learning provides a wide range of employment and training related services to individuals with disabilities.  For more information about these programs, contact Robert Mendes at 617 399 3182.

Chaverim Shel Shalom* at JF&CS connects people with chronic mental illness to the Jewish community, offering holiday celebrations and opportunities for socialization.  The annual Passover Seder is always a powerful and moving community event.  For more information, contactSandy Slavet at 781 693 5023 or sslavet@jfcsboston.org.

Chaverim Chaim: Friends for Life*: a program of JF&CS, JCCGB and JBBBS provides monthly activities for adults with developmental disabilities that enhance Jewish identity and foster connections to the Jewish community.  For more information, contactSandy Slavet at 781 693 5023 or sslavet@jfcsboston.org.

Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters* (JBBBS) Friend 2 Friend Program matches volunteers and adults with disabilities in one to one friendships.  Through the match relationship, program participants in the Community model take advantage of social/recreational opportunities 2-4 times each month meeting their own scheduling needs.  In our MAGIC model, adult matches meet one weeknight each month to enjoy a variety of events with other pairs of friends.  In both programs the experience can add an important dimension to the lives of adults with disabilities and lay the groundwork for enhanced social skills and interaction, enhance their self-esteem and independence and strengthen their Jewish identity.  JBBBS also provides caring adult volunteers for many children, some of whom have mild to moderate special needs.  The Big Brother/Big Sister approach helps children who feel themselves to be different, learn just how much they are valued.  The consistent friendship of the volunteer, and the support provided by JBBBS social work staff makes each match a special and rewarding experience.  For more information, contact Jan Klein at 617-558-6548 or jan@jbbbs.org

Yom Sport* is an annual sports day for adults with disabilities.  Volunteers and athletes are invited to participate in a variety of sporting events for a day of fun.  For more information, contact Jan Klein at 617-558-6548 or jan@jbbbs.org or visit www.yomsport.org.

K’Sharim: Connecting People with Disabilities to Jewish Life:  an innovative program that is designed to involve people with disabilities in all facets of synagogue life.  K’Sharim is for teens and adults with disabilities, their families and caregivers as well as for the host synagogue communities.  Programs are held monthly at synagogues throughout the Greater Boston area.  For a schedule of events and specific information about programs, contactSandy Slavet at 781 693 5023 or sslavet@jfcsboston.org.

Stars of David: A social group for adults with disabilities. This group meets one Sunday a month and includes brunch and an activity. The group meets at TempleEmmanuel inNewton and is sponsored by the temple. For information contact: Pamela Goldstein at 781 986 0030

Yachad / National Jewish Council for Disabilities is a social/ recreational and educational group for older teens and young adults with developmental disabilities and or those on the Autism spectrum.  The localBoston branch holds two monthly programs as well as three Shabbatons (Shabbat retreats) a year in theNew England community and college campuses. Yachad's national office in NY also has extensive summer travel and camping programs in the U.S., Canada and Israel. Yachad/NJCD is affiliated with the Orthodox Union and provides a variety of stimulating programs in a traditional Jewish inclusive environment.

For more information, please contact Peshie Rubin at peshierubin@gmail.com or 347-882-1512 or visit the  National website www.njcd.org.

CJP Disabilities Housing Initiative*: While some housing needs for adults with disabilities are being met through the CHAI program at JF&CS, CJP is working to expand the number of housing units that will be available in the future.  For more information on the housing initiative, contact Elizabeth Sternberg at 617 457 8593.   Anyone with disabilities who may be interested in registering for housing or residential services now or in the near future, contact Sandy Slavet at the DRN at 781 693 5023 or email at sslavet@jfcsboston.org.

The CJP Disabilities Trust* was established as a vehicle for families with children who have a disability (cognitive, psychiatric or physical).  The Trust provides for current and future financial protection as well as lifetime personal advocacy.  For more information, contact Arthur Sullivan at JF&CS- 781 647 5327 x 1336 or asullivan@jfcsboston.org.

Healing Partners: a program of JFS of Metrowest provides individual consultations to Metrowest synagogues that want to become more inclusive and welcoming to all members of the Jewish community.  For more information, contact Malka Young at 508-875-3100

Advocacy:

The Jewish Community Relations Council* (JCRC) is the public policy arm of the Jewish community in the Greater Boston area. JCRC advocates on behalf of persons with disabilities on the state and federal level by developing and leveraging its relationships with key governmental agencies, elected officials, and community organizations. For more information, please contact the JCRC Government Affairs Department at 617-457-8670 or visit www.jcrcboston.org.

 

* Represents programs that are financially supported by CJP