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 An 8-Year-Old with Special Needs is Bolstered by the Gateways Support Network
By H. Glenn Rosenkrantz, for Gateways
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Binny at his locker |
Over at Striar Hebrew Academy of Sharon (SHAS), the head of school is starting these early days of the new term as he always does, standing out front and greeting students as they arrive by foot, car or bike.
And every day, without fail, one car pulls up, and one bespectacled third-grader emerges with a resounding and heartfelt "Boker Tov" delivered with ear-to-ear smiles.
"Every morning, he teaches me how to relate to others, with a sweetness and openness and ever-present good humor," said Dr. Richard Wagner, head of school. "He sets the tone. It's contagious."
It's a mighty load for an 8-year-old boy, but Binny Ellenbogen unwittingly delivers big time.
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Team Binny
Binny with his support team- mom, head of school, teachers, aides, therapists, and learning specialists |
And here, no one thinks twice about the fact that Binny is a child with Down syndrome. For sure, he is in the minority as a child with special needs, but he is in the majority as a child attending SHAS for a solid and immersive Jewish day school education and experience.
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Supporting Voices |
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Q & A with Sue Schweber
Founder of the Day School Program at Gateways: Access to Jewish Education
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Sue Schweber |
"Binny always surprises us with his ability to move forward. There are so many things that he wants to do and can do. And we feel we need to support his growth, not limit it..."
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Q & A with Dr. Richard Wagner
Head of School, Striar Hebrew Academy of Sharon
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Dr. Richard Wagner |
"As a people, we promote values such as chesed and tzedakah, but we are being incomplete if we don't apply these to the very broadest of the population..."
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| Director's Message |
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By Arlene Remz, Executive Director
I stopped by the Ellenbogens' a few weeks ago. They live in nearby Sharon, and with six children, the house is a hive of activity and comings and goings, especially on a rainy summer afternoon.
A couple of the kids were around, including 8-year-old Binny and his younger brother, Yishai, 6, who were in the basement and consumed with a video game that was moving so quickly that I couldn't make much sense of it, let alone take the controller Binny so generously offered me.
I settled onto the couch upstairs with Debbie Ellenbogen, the mom of the house, but Binny followed quickly behind. He was determined to socialize, and promptly gave details of a recent visit to Israel, counted in Hebrew, shared his dream of being a firefighter, and read us a book about traffic jams.
 | | Arlene Remz |
This is a typical 8-year-old charmer, right? Yes, so right. And no matter that Binny has Down syndrome. His infectious personality and engagement drew me in and I left the Ellenbogens' so looking forward to another visit.
One could not possibly look at him only as a child with limitations, but as one with a wealth of possibilities. That very fact speaks loudly of a Jewish community that has embraced and included him as it would any other.
Binny is entering the third grade this year at Striar Hebrew Academy of Sharon (SHAS), one of 13 Jewish day schools in the greater Boston area at which Gateways supports the inclusion of students with special learning needs, ensuring that they receive a Jewish education.
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| High Holiday Resources |
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Gateways' online Resource Center offers an array of free downloadable materials and activities that enliven and support Jewish education for children of all learning styles. Our easy-to-use resources are based on current educational best practices and include prayers and blessings with visual supports, customizable social stories, crafts, make-your-own file folder activities and so much more. Check back often as we continue to build our bank of user-friendly resources! |
 Apple Print Rosh Hashanah Cards for All Learners
This step-by-step guide provides visual instructions and ideas for adapting this traditional fall activity for very young children or for children with sensory or fine motor challenges. |  Blessing for Hearing the Shofar with Visual Supports
Blessings with visual supports were created to help make blessings simple, accessible, and understandable. Download High Holiday blessings with Hebrew transliteration, simplified English translation and illustrations. |
 Build Your Own High Holiday Social Story
Customize your own High Holiday social story by printing only the sections that are of interest to you and your child, including How People Behave in Temple, Things I Can Do During a Long Service, and What to Think and Do if the Shofar Sounds Too Loud. |
The visual nature of these easy-to-make activities utilizes the visual strengths of children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Complete the pattern of apples and honey in this High Holiday-themed activity. |
| Other Announcements |
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Save the Date!
Please join Gateways for an afternoon of jazz, sweets, friendship and community at our annual event.
Sweet Sounds
November 20, 2011
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Congregation Mishkan Tefila
300 Hammond Pond Parkway, Chestnut Hill |
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