By Marni Smilow Levitt
Up until two years ago, I had never heard of Gateways. At the time, 3 of our 4 children were enrolled in our synagogue’s religious school program, but our son Ari was not receiving any formal Jewish education other than what he learned through our observance at home, because he did not have the supports needed for him to be successful in the typical religious school setting. That changed when we enrolled him in the Gateways Sunday Program. Now, not only is Ari receiving a meaningful Jewish education in an encouraging and supportive setting, but our son Josh is also now involved in the Sunday program as a teen volunteer through Prozdor Hebrew High School’s collaboration with Gateways.
Which is why I happily agreed to serve as Co-Chair (with Cindy Kaplan) of this year’s Gateways “Sweet Sounds” event. Each year “Sweet Sounds” showcases the transformative impact that Gateways has on so many children and families like ours throughout the Boston area. The event invites us to come together as a community and celebrate the fact that now, unlike in years past, all Jewish children have the opportunity to enjoy a Jewish education, one that is designed individually so that each child can be successful! And, in doing so, we raise awareness of the many wonderful services Gateways provides to so many children in our community. We hope you can join us at “Sweet Sounds” this year and see just how well Gateways inspires us as a community and reminds us that each one of our children is a precious part of our collective Jewish community and our future.
Please join Cindy and me at “Sweet Sounds” on Sunday, November 20 from 4-6 p.m. at Congregation Mishkan Tefila, 300 Hammond Pond Pkwy., Chestnut Hill, MA. We look forward to seeing you there!
To hear more about “Sweet Sounds” or make a reservation (walk-ins also welcome), e-mail jane@jgateways.org or call (617) 630-9010.
Click below to watch a video invitation to Sweet Sounds featuring my son Ari and his classmates at Gateways.
Ari shines with a group of teen volunteers at Gateways
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