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Volume V February 2012 / Shevat 5772
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Welcome to BJE Reach, our Resource Newsletter, presented by the Fanny and Ezra Battat Learning Resource Center and the Peninsula Learning Resource Center.
This issue of Reach is dedicated to Inclusion. At the BJE, we believe that learning is not a privilege, it's a right. Regardless of individual need or learning style, all of us deserve to be welcomed, included and embraced in Jewish life and learning. Through our Inclusion Initiatives we strive to reach, teach, and ignite a passion for Jewish learning in all types of learners. We are proud to join many national organizations in commemorating February 2012 as Jewish Disability Awareness Month.
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Presented in partnership with Jewish Community High School of the Bay. | Sunday February 12, 2012
9:30am - 3:00pm
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A unique opportunity! Learn with
Rabbi Daniel Landes!
Wed Feb 15th and
Thurs Feb 16th
Registration required.
Click here to register.
Click here for more information.
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New! First Session is Tuesday February 14th starring Rabbi Joshua Fenton!
12:00pm - BJE's Palo Alto office at the Oshman Family JCC
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BJE'S INCLUSION INITIATIVES
Want to know more about BJE's inclusion initiatives? Check out our video:
 | | BJE Inclusion Initiatives |
BJE's two Resource Centers have a wealth of inclusion and special education resources. They are all available for loan to educators. Some examples include: http://www.prayingwithlior.com/studyguide.html
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HOT OFF THE PRESS
Combined Jewish Philanthropies announced that it received a $1.89M grant to work with six Boston-area Jewish day schools to create "whole school" models for serving students with a range of learning needs. The grant will establish professional development and training programs to build the capacity of teachers and school leaders so that they are well-equipped to better address the needs of all students. Read more here.
"The moment he walked in the house with Chancer, I knew something had changed," Harvey says. "I could feel it instantly, the magnetism between Iyal and the dog. . . . Chancer was an emotional and physical anchor for a kid who was pretty lost in the world."
Read more, in the Sunday New York Times Magazine. |
INCLUSION RESOURCES
We are aware of the great wealth of information now available about inclusion. These are some of our current favorite resources:
LOCALLY
Support for Families in San Francisco, Community Gatepath on the Peninsula, and Parents Helping Parents in the South Bay are excellent resources for parents and teachers of children with special needs to learn about the programs and services that are available for themselves and the children with special needs in their region.
ONLINE
The #spedchatdaily is an online newspaper which collects news stories, blog postings, and other material of interest to families who have children with special needs. It is updated daily. The Thinking Person's Guide to Autism is a blog which takes contributions from people with autism, professionals, and parents. It is a no-nonsense forum that provides a window into the experience of individuals with autism and those who love them. It also debunks myths, cautions against false treatments, and dispenses useful advice with caring, compassion, sanity, and hope.
LD Online features hundreds of helpful articles, multimedia, monthly columns by noted experts, first person essays, children's writing and artwork, a comprehensive resource guide, active forums, and a Yellow Pages referral directory of professionals, schools, and products. Gateways is a Boston-based organization that works for inclusion of children with special needs in Jewish day schools. Their programming is limited to the Boston area. However, they are an excellent resource for information, news, and tools to use with children with special needs.
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CURRICULUM RESOURCES
http://specialed.about.com provides educators with sample lession plans which showcase differentiated instruction, articles on classroom behavior management, Individual Education Plan (IEP) forms and templates.Hebrew through Movement teaches Hebrew as a language using a language teaching model called Total Physical Response. This curriculum has the potential to be used as a tool for differentiated instruction in the classroom, as it allows students to engage with their bodies as well as their minds, something that helps educators reach different kinds of learners. Last week BJE staff attended a training sponsored by Keshet- an organization dedicated to ensuring that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Jews are fully included in all parts of the Jewish community. Keshet's Hineini Education Project trains and supports Jewish educators, clergy, program staff, youth, and lay leaders to ensure that GLBT youth, families, and staff are safe and affirmed in all Jewish educational and community settings. |
RECOMMENDED READING
Bibliography of Recommended Books: A list of books about disabilities which are useful for awareness and understanding of children with special needs. Some are designed for educators, and others for students.A collection of sermons about inclusion: Useful resource for clergy and educators who would like to speak about inclusion. NOTE: These sermons are copyrighted by the authors, and do not belong to the BJE. They are included here for information purposes only. Inclusion Quotes: A collection of quotes found throughout Jewish liturgy and tradition which are related to Special Needs and inclusive education. |
ISRAEL
Israel's Nalaga'at Center is home to the first deaf-blind theater ensemble in the world. Founded in December, 2007 by the Nalaga'at non-profit organization, the Center employs some 70 people, most of whom are deaf, blind or deaf-blind. The Center is comprised of the "Nalaga'at" Theater, home to the Deaf-blind Acting Ensemble, Café Kapish, whose servers are hearing impaired, and BlackOut, a pitch-black restaurant with a staff of blind waiters. The Nalaga'at Center was founded on the belief that every human being has the right to contribute to the society in which they live. |
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Upcoming Inclusion/Special Needs Workshops with BJE's David Neufeld
February 15, 2012 | 6:00pm-8:30pm | Congregation Rodef Sholom, Marin
February 21, 2012 | 4:00pm-6:30pm | Congregation Kol Emeth, Palo Alto
Use observation, video and other tools for self-reflection to maximize your success in the classroom. This workshop is designed to teach best practices and help you gain the knowledge to identify which behaviors result from a disability as opposed to acting out, and concrete, usable skills and strategies for addressing behavioral challenges that arise in your classroom.
RSVP to Robin Smith today!
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