Chazak, Temple Sinai of Roslyn’s outreach program for children and families with developmental differences/special needs, welcomes the community to a special Shabbat of inclusion on Friday, March 21, starting at 6 p.m.
All people young and old have times in their lives when they need others. Everyone should know that their Temple is a place where they can go, be welcomed and supported. This evening will include services honoring children with special needs along with their families and friends. Dinner and art project will follow.
RSVP to Temple Sinai religious school at 516-621-8016.
Through the Chazak program, families within the congregation and in neighboring communities have the opportunity to provide their children with meaningful Jewish learning. The multi- faceted program includes Thursday drop off classes, monthly Shabbat and Jewish holiday programs including a three-hour drop off program, Bar/Bat Mitzvah opportunities and social activities/outings.
Rabbi Michael White, senior rabbi at Temple Sinai of Roslyn, has been a strong advocate for the program since its early planning stages and views Chazak as an important initiative for the Temple.
“Our temple is proud of our new program for kids with spectrum disorders and their families,” he said. “I have learned much about this growing population, about how unwelcome they have felt, how generally overwhelmed they are, and I realized that we had provided no way for these children and families to celebrate the joys of Jewish living with us, to be embraced by a concerned and loving community. We are changing that…ensuring that every child, created in God’s very image, is at the heart of us, at the heart of our community.”
All of Temple Sinai’s classes are led by certified special ed teachers and designed to meet the individual and unique needs of each child as well as their family. Lulu Belferder and Rosanne Bogard (Rosie) are the program coordinators along with Cantor Elena Schwartz, Religious School Director. Members and non-members are welcome, advanced registration is required.
Temple Sinai of Roslyn is located at 425 Roslyn Rd. For more information about Chazak, contact Cantor/Educator Elena Schwartz at cantorelenaschwartz@mysinai.org or call 516-621-8016.
This article appeared in the Roslyn News Issue 03.14.14.
