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 Dear Friends,
November 20 was a day I will never forget. Gateways' "Sweet Sounds" Event always serves as a potent reminder of all the lives we are able to touch through our menu of programs, the hundreds of children with special needs - and their families -- now able to be included as full members of the Jewish community.
"Sweet Sounds" always reminds me that our work would be impossible without all of the supporters whose dedication and generosity stand behind each and every child who can now receive a Jewish education that's right for them, and the vision and support of our wonderful Boston Federation, Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP).
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Arlene Remz, Marni Levitt, Cindy Kaplan, Rachel Chafetz
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But this year, after our Event Co-chairs Marni Smilow Levitt and Cindy Kaplan welcomed the 400-plus Gateways supporters to Mishkan Tefila's social hall, after we dedicated the event to the memory of our dear friend and supporter Mort Ruderman, heard from those whose lives have been transformed by Gateways and saluted those educators we're able to inspire through the Nemzoff Prize, I realized anew how deeply and widely the Gateways impact is felt every day.
It's felt across denominations and communities, in day schools, congregational schools and preschools and among the teachers whom Gateways helps to create more welcoming and inclusive classrooms. It's felt each time our children sing the Sh'ma, learn alongside their siblings at 10 area day schools or in one of our local congregational schools, each time they participate in their families' Shabbat and holiday rituals or enjoy the bar or bat mitzvah they could only have dreamed of a few short years ago.
Scroll down to hear some of what these wonderful "voices" shared with us (and see Barry Shrage adopted as an honorary Mitzvah Mensch - complete with official T-shirt!).
Wishing you a Happy Chanukah,
Arlene Remz
Executive Director
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Gateways Proudly Unveils New Website
It's fantastic!
It's remarkable!
It's HERE!
Gateways is proud to unveil its brand new website. More than just a pretty face, the site now boasts enhanced features including our blog, downloadable resources, and improved searching with tags, categories and keywords. Enjoy!
Get Social with Gateways!
 
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Messages from the Sweet Sounds Co-chairs
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Cindy Kaplan
Sweet Sounds Co-chair, Gateways Mom
"Imagine a Sunday school where children with a variety of special needs count the days before they can come back again... For my daughter, Mira, the Gateways Sunday Program brings life to her Judaism that allows her to feel like she is a part of the Gateways community, a member of our synagogue and an important family member at the Shabbat table." continue...
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Marni Smilow Levitt
Sweet Sounds Co-chair, Gateways Mom
"I want to thank each of you for touching the lives of our children and supporting Gateways programs and services. Please know that your caring and support embraces entire families and reaffirms a culture of Jewish learning that nurtures each and every one of our children and celebrates their unique abilities." continue...
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Voices from the Gates
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The voices below spoke to the 400+ crowd at Sweet Sounds, each sharing the personal difference that Gateways has made in their lives. They represent our students, parents, educators and volunteers who feel Gateways' impact every day.
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Joanne Baker
Teacher at JCDS
"We are all now recognizing that intelligence, creativity, intellectual power and talents are present in these kids who all have different learning styles. We're realizing that 'smart' looks different in each one of them." continue...
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Kayla & Wendy Handler
Gateways Day School Program Student & Mom
"Some say that I am two-thirds of the way towards achieving my goal and maybe that should be enough. It is not. I want all three of my children to receive a quality Jewish education." continue...
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Rebecca & Daniel Krane Teen Volunteers, triplets of Gateways student
"Helping Josh become an adult in the Jewish community, just like my siblings and me, will always be one of the proudest and happiest moments of my life, and I have Gateways to thank for making that possible." continue...
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Ellen Dietrick
Director of Early Childhood Learning, Temple Beth Shalom
"Our three-year partnership with Gateways has changed the way our community educates its children ... Together we are seamlessly combining our work with children with special needs with our work with typically developing children." continue...
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 Elisa & Frank Murphy
Gateways Parents
"In our society, kids like my kid are much like the tsitsit on a tallit, fringes around the edges of our society. By contributing to Gateways you're investing in a program focused on inclusion. So that, like the tallit, these kids and their families who are otherwise out on the fringes of society are woven into the fabric of their culture. So inclusively, I would say 'thank you,' I will sign 'thank you' and finally, todah." continue...
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Barry Shrage
CJP President
"When the Jewish community ignored the needs of people with special needs, we dishonored ourselves as a people ... you have brought honor back to our people and back to the name of G-d and that's a very very sacred thing ... I know that Rachel's prayers speak for the whole community in the highest heavens."
continue...
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A Special Thank You to Barry Shrage and CJP from the Mitzvah Mensches
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 | | Mitzvah Mensches pose with Barry Shrage |
Teens from Mitzvah Mensches, Gateways' social action youth group, wrote and delivered a fabulous speech at Gateways' Sweet Sounds event, and presented CJP President Barry Shrage and Jewish Federations of North America President Jerry Silverman- now honorary Mitzvah Mensches- with Gateways "Mensch" T-shirts.
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Chanukah 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!
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Chanukah Blessings with Visual Supports
 Three Chanukah blessings with Hebrew transliteration, simplified English translation and visual representation in picture symbols.
| Visual Supports for Chanukah Skills
 Visual supports for Chanukah skills sequence the steps to a task, such as lighting the menorah, to help children become more independent. |
Chanukah Song Sheets with Picture Symbols
 Help all children enjoy Chanukah festivities by providing song sheets with picture symbols, so every child can follow along and participate.
| Chanukah Social Stories
 Stories such as We Use Birthday Candles and Chanukah Candles in Different Ways set children up for success by showing them what to expect.
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Support Gateways this Chanukah Season
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As we gather with our family and friends to celebrate Chanukah, the Jewish festival of rededication, let us remember to rededicate ourselves to tikkun olam by helping to ensure access to Jewish education for ALL children. Please make your gift today.
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