Gateways: Access to Jewish Education’s mission is to make Jewish education accessible to all children who have special needs so that they can become participating members in the Jewish community. 

 

created at: 2010-05-03Student and Teen make Challahcreated at: 2010-05-03created at: 2010-04-20

Gateways: Access to Jewish Education is committed to working with Jewish day schools, congregational schools and preschools to support efforts to include students with special learning challenges in these programs. Please contact Sherry Grossman, sherry@jgateways.org, for further information.


Gateways also offers the following Jewish educational programs for students with special needs who would benefit from highly structured programming, individualized attention and smaller class sizes. 

The Sunday Program offers a multisensory, thematic curriculum that is taught through every modality and includes holidays, Bible study, Hebrew language, music therapy, creative arts, and Jewish culture.  Classes are taught by special education teachers and all students receive one-to-one support from teen aides who receive weekly training in working with children with special needs. Classes for our younger students (ages 5-10) will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and for our older students (ages 10-18) from noon to 1:30 p.m. Classes take place at 60 Stein Circle in Newton (Solomon Schechter Day School, Lower School).

 

The B’nei Mitzvah Program prepares students with special needs for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah with a combination of individual tutoring, classroom activities and a weekly prayer service. Students with a variety of special needs benefit from a small class size and an individualized B’nei Mitzvah learning plan. Our on-site reading specialist customizes lessons for each child and closely monitors their progress. Our experienced special education teacher plans lessons that teach specific B’nei Mitzvah and Synogogue skills. This class accepts students ages 11-13 and takes place on Thursday afternoons from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Newton.   

 

The Mitzvah Mensches Teen Program is a fully inclusive educational youth group in which students learn about mitzvot and social action while practicing social skills in a fun, relaxing, yet structured setting.  Our uniquely trained special education teachers and program coordinator lead students and teen peer models in weekly activities that promote friendships, responsibility and Jewish values.  We are expecting that the class will meet from 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. on Thursday evenings at the Jewish Community Center in Newton.

Our classes are in session for a few more weeks; if you are interested in visiting, please contact Nancy Mager, nancym@jgateways.org.  

 

  • The Sunday program is in session on May 16  at the Solomon Schechter Day School (Lower School) in Newton
  • The B’nei Mitzvah Program is in session May 13
  • The Mitzvah Mensches Program is in session May 11 and 25

created at: 2010-04-20created at: 2010-05-03A student, a king!

 

 

The video below illustrates some of Gateways’ programs and best practices. It was created as a mid-year report to the Slingshot Fund, from whom Gateways received a generous grant and our fabulous Flip camera. Slingshot, A Resource Guide to Jewish Innovation, is an annual compliation of the 50 most inspiring and innovative organizations, projects, and programs in the North American Jewish community today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To watch videos from Gateways and to learn more about the services we offer, please visit us at

www.jgateways.org/view+videos

 

 

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