Bureau of Jewish Education of San Francisco : Families

THE NORTH PENINSULA SPECIAL NEEDS INITIATIVE

CAMP NESHAMA

SPECIAL NEEDS WEEKEND

SPECIAL EDUCATION FAQs

USEFUL LINKS

The BJE's Special Education program is funded by the Jewish Community Endowment Kohn Fund.

INCLUDE: The Special Needs Initiative of the North Peninsula

The goal of INCLUDE (being piloted in the North Peninsula region, with plans to expand to additional regions) is to strengthen the capacity of organizations and congregations to be inclusive and welcoming to all Jewish children with special needs and their families, from preschool to high school.

The initiative provides more resources and educational support to children with special needs and their families. The initiative also raises awareness about disabilities to the general Jewish community. The project includes on-going professional learning for teachers and classroom aides, monthly family programming, and on-going assessment of how each organization can be a more inclusive community.

For more information about INCLUDE, please contact David Neufeld, 415.751.6983 x 150.

INCLUDE: The Special Needs Initiative of the North Peninsula is a collaboration of 10 partnering organizations and synagogues, including: Bureau of Jewish Education; Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties; Jewish Family and Children's Services; Peninsula Jewish Community Center; Congregation Beth Jacob; Peninsula Temple Beth El; Peninsula Sinai Congregation; Peninsula Temple Beth El; Chabad of the North Peninsula; and Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School.

It was developed with support from the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties, and is funded in part by the John & Marcia Goldman Foundation. It is also supported by the Jewish Community Endowment Kohn Fund.

INCLUDE hosts programs for families of children with special needs. Check back for details!

Camp Neshama

Check back soon for information about Camp Neshama 2012!

Questions? Contact David Neufeld, Director of BJE's North Peninsula Special Needs Initiative
415-517-4433 x 150

The North Peninsula Special Needs Initiative is an program of the Bureau of Jewish Education in collaboration with nine partnering organizations and synagogues, including: Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties; Jewish Family and Children's Services; Peninsula Jewish Community Center; Congregation Beth Jacob; Peninsula Temple Beth El; Peninsula Sinai Congregation; Peninsula Temple Sholom; Chabad of the North Peninsula; and Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School, with major funding from the Jewish Community Federation and the John and Marcia Goldman Foundation and additional support from partnering institutions and individual donors.

Special Needs Family Camp Weekend

Date for 2012 Weekend: May 4-6

Experience the joys of Jewish family camping in a nurturing, supportive and inclusive environment.

Activities for children with disabilities, their siblings, and their parents include singing, yoga, arts and crafts, hiking, swimming, Israeli folk dancing, "no shush" family Shabbat services and Havdallah, discussion/support groups, and outdoor games. A large staff ensures lots of individual attention and interaction.

To view the camp brochure and register for the May 4-6, 2012 Special Needs Family Camp weekend, please click here. For additional information, please contact Cheryl Cohen, Camp Director, 925-922-0765.

Financial aid is available.

This program is supported by the Jewish Community Endowment Kohn Fund, the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, and generous gifts from private donors.

Q: Are there opportunities for my child to participate in Jewish education in congregational and day schools?
A: Yes! Contact David Neufeld, 415.517.4433 x 150 to find out how and where.

Q: Does the BJE offer money to individual families for classroom aides or shadows?
A: Unfortunately, no, but there are other options to explore.

Q: Can a child with dyslexia learn to read Hebrew?
A: Yes! There are many great teaching techniques, and learning Hebrew can be a wonderful experience that boosts self-esteem.

Q: Can my child become Bar/Bat Mitzvah?
A: Yes! Many congregations have experience making this life-cycle event a lovely, positive time for your family. We can discuss how.

For more detailed answers, contact David Neufeld, 415.517.4433 x 150

Jewish Special Education International Consortium: Resources and materials from Jewish special educators throughout the US and Canada to help make communities welcoming and inclusive.

LD Online - Informative site about learning disabilities, filled with articles, news, research, ideas for teachers

Specialed.about.com - Large collection of articles about special education

GreatSchools.org A Parents' Guide to Helping Kids with Learning Difficulties

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities

Information Center on Disabilities and Gifted Education

Student, teacher and government disability resources

Resources and parents' guides for Learning Disabilities, ADHD, and Autism

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