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

The BJE's Special Education program is funded by the Jewish Community Endowment Kohn Fund. The North Peninsula Special Needs Initiative

The goal of the North Peninsula Special Needs Initiative is to strengthen the capacity of North Peninsula organizations and congregations to be inclusive and welcoming to all Jewish children with special needs and their families, from preschool to high school.

The initiative provides more resources and educational support to children with special needs and their families. The initiative also raises awareness about disabilities to the general Jewish community. The project includes on-going professional learning for teachers and classroom aides, monthly family programming, and on-going assessment of how each organization can be a more inclusive community.

For more information about the Special Needs Initiative, please contact Samantha Zadikoff, Director, North Peninsula Special Needs Initiative, 415.517.4433.

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.

On June 6th, the North Peninsula Special Needs Initiative hosted the first program for families of children with special needs. More events like this will take place soon!.

Special Needs Family Camp Weekend

Date for 2011 weekend TBD

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.

Click here to download the brochure for the May 2010 weekend.

Contact Flora Kupferman, 415.751.6983 x 122 with questions.

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 Flora Kupferman, 415.751.6983 x 122 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 Flora Kupferman, 415.751.6983 x 122.

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

Schwablearning.org A Parents' Guide to Helping Kids with Learning Difficulties

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities