THE NORTH PENINSULA SPECIAL NEEDS INITIATIVE
CAMP NESHAMA
SPECIAL NEEDS WEEKEND
SPECIAL EDUCATION FAQs
USEFUL LINKS

For more information about the Special Needs Initiative, please contact David Neufeld, 415.517.4433 x 150.

The North Peninsula Special Needs Initiative 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.

The North Peninsula Special Needs Initiative 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.

The North Peninsula Special Needs Initiative hosts programs for families of children with special needs. Check back for details!

Camp Neshama
August 12 - 18, 2011
Camp Newman, Santa Rosa, Ca

URJ Camp Newman and The Bureau of Jewish Education are now accepting applications for Camp Neshama (formerly Camp Nefesh), a week-long recreational camp for youth ages 10-15 with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other special needs.

This is the second year of a pilot camp program, the first of its kind in Northern California. We've made many exciting changes for this year's Neshama program, and we invite your application!

At Camp Neshama, campers live in cabins with kids their age and college-age counselors who are specially trained to support them. They participate in activities with each other as well as typically developing peers. Camp Neshama is structured to best help campers succeed: low staff-to-camper ratios, predictable schedules, social support, sensory adaptations, and individual attention toward each camper's needs. Most importantly, it will be a place for campers to have fun, make new friends, and become part of an incredible Jewish community!

Click here for the Application
Click here for the Camp Neshama Flyer

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 2011 weekend: May 27-29

Experience the joys of Jewish family camping in a nurturing, supportive and inclusive environment. Financial aid is available for children.

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 27-29 Special Needs Family Camp weekend, please click here. For additional information, please contact David Neufeld, 415.517.4433 x 150.

This program is supported by a joint grant from the Jewish Federation of the East Bay and the Jewish Community Foundation, the Jewish Community Endowment Kohn Fund, the Kahn Foundation, and many 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