Guest guest Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 I hope this link comes through. There are a few articles on the website, including an article on Judaism and autism and another about inclusion and making accommodations. Hope this is a good resource for you. Marie http://www.jsped.org/ > > I found this information when a friend mentioned this resource. I've copied information from the home page and will copy a link in my next posting. I love that they are making February 2010 Jewish Disability Awareness Month. Those of you who are Jewish and are active in your Synagogues, make sure your congregations know about that...isn't it wonderful? > > Marie > > > > Jewish Special Education > > International Consortium > > > > > About Us > > Mission Statement > > Articles > > Newsletter Archive > > Jewish Special Education Resources > > Links to general Special Education Information > > Links to Jewish Agencies and Programs Offering Special Needs Services > > Links to Jewish Disability Awareness Month Program Ideas > > > > > > > The Jewish Special Education International Consortium is made up of > > individuals from throughout the United States and Canada. This website > > is the result of the efforts of these individuals to provide support and services > > to children and adults with special needs in the Jewish community. > > Throughout this site you will find resources and materials for your use > > to help make your community a welcoming place for all. > > > > > > > > > > > > Watch for more information soon on > > ways to promote awareness in your > > communities during the second annual > > Jewish Disability Awareness Month > > > > > > > > > > Resource Guides > > > > Jewish Special Education Resource Guide > > Produced by the Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning > > > > Open Wide the Gates of the Temple So That All May Worship > > United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism's > > Commission on Inclusion of People With Disabilities > > > > > > The following organizations have partnered to promote > > the month of February as Jewish Disability Awareness Month: > > > > Council for the Jewish Disabled > > Union for Reform Judaism > > United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism > > The Jewish Federations of North America > > Association of Jewish Family and Children's Agencies > > > > For more information contact: info@... > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 I hope this link comes through. There are a few articles on the website, including an article on Judaism and autism and another about inclusion and making accommodations. Hope this is a good resource for you. Marie http://www.jsped.org/ > > I found this information when a friend mentioned this resource. I've copied information from the home page and will copy a link in my next posting. I love that they are making February 2010 Jewish Disability Awareness Month. Those of you who are Jewish and are active in your Synagogues, make sure your congregations know about that...isn't it wonderful? > > Marie > > > > Jewish Special Education > > International Consortium > > > > > About Us > > Mission Statement > > Articles > > Newsletter Archive > > Jewish Special Education Resources > > Links to general Special Education Information > > Links to Jewish Agencies and Programs Offering Special Needs Services > > Links to Jewish Disability Awareness Month Program Ideas > > > > > > > The Jewish Special Education International Consortium is made up of > > individuals from throughout the United States and Canada. This website > > is the result of the efforts of these individuals to provide support and services > > to children and adults with special needs in the Jewish community. > > Throughout this site you will find resources and materials for your use > > to help make your community a welcoming place for all. > > > > > > > > > > > > Watch for more information soon on > > ways to promote awareness in your > > communities during the second annual > > Jewish Disability Awareness Month > > > > > > > > > > Resource Guides > > > > Jewish Special Education Resource Guide > > Produced by the Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning > > > > Open Wide the Gates of the Temple So That All May Worship > > United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism's > > Commission on Inclusion of People With Disabilities > > > > > > The following organizations have partnered to promote > > the month of February as Jewish Disability Awareness Month: > > > > Council for the Jewish Disabled > > Union for Reform Judaism > > United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism > > The Jewish Federations of North America > > Association of Jewish Family and Children's Agencies > > > > For more information contact: info@... > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 Before (long before) I was director of this L'Arche Community in Chicago, I was a live-in DSP at one outside of Boston. Almost all of us--certainly all the core members--went to church every Sunday and then to " Heavenly Donuts " (no joke, real name of shop) afterwards. The two guys with whom I worked most closely were very comfortable in church, particularly in a sort of not traditional intentional small church community. So comfortable, that they would often go up and stand around the altar, looking on and gesturing while the priest was presiding. So we thought that at least one of them might want to be a proper altar server. The first time he did that (at another church), he was offered the cup of wine at Communion time (that church only offered the wine to the servers and the priest, not the general congregation). He took the cup and took a big drink. His face froze in consternation when he realized that is was not sweet the way his beloved Diet Coke was...happily, though, he did swallow it, and things went on... " The secret to l'Arche is relationship: meeting people...heart to heart " . Jean Vanier Visit us on the 2nd Thursday of each month! andra Conroy Executive Director and Community Leader L'Arche Chicago 1049 S Austin Blvd Chicago IL 60644 Office:312-226-1273 Home: 773-287-8249 ________________________________ From: Charlotte Cronin <fsn@...> IPADDUnite Sent: Wed, November 11, 2009 4:40:26 PM Subject: RE: Religion I have to share an amusing story my husband shared with me. He stays with the " guys " at church after and I leave. has a housemate named . is old enough to be retired and had lived with family all of his life until he moved in with , , and Stanley. I am told that his family had been VERY active church goers, participating several times at various activities across a week. So he's REALLY comfortable at church. This amusing moment happened within the first two or three times that attended church with us. This particular Sunday, Pastor Randy called all the elders and deacons up to installed. Of course, some of these guys were " re-upping " . Others were brand new. was not sitting with Mike. We were respecting his independence (still do). Any way, when Pastor Randy called the " session " up to be installed just walked up and joined them. Nobody knew who he was. It was a toot. Mike and I laughed for a month and the congregation was great, though many people checked in with me over the next month or so as they puzzled through it. You've got to find your laughs where you can. Charlotte _____ From: IPADDUnite@gro ups.com [mailto:IPADDUnite@gro ups.com] On Behalf Of Ellen Bronfeld Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 4:23 PM IPADDUnite@gro ups.com Subject: Re: Religion Hi Chantelle: Your question has generated some very interesting and wonderful responses. I can also add that, in addition to the information I emailed you about Keshet, that I have a very similar experience with Noah at Friday night services that Charlotte recounts with in church when she is singing to him. There are lots of songs during the Friday night service and if I mouth them to Noah, he will try his best to repeat the Hebrew...sometimes just a word or two, but he definitely is participating more and more. It is very special to witness. When Noah jumps up to rearrange things during the service, the other congregants are so used to him that no one skips a beat and the congregant who usually runs the Friday night service is totally amused by and I think touched by Noah's various activities during the service. I hope you will be able to figure out ways to provide your son with what he needs. Happy to talk to you about it more, offline. Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskbsbcglobal (DOT) <mailto:egskb% 40sbcglobal. net> net 847/212-3036 (cell) ____________ _________ _________ __ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 Before (long before) I was director of this L'Arche Community in Chicago, I was a live-in DSP at one outside of Boston. Almost all of us--certainly all the core members--went to church every Sunday and then to " Heavenly Donuts " (no joke, real name of shop) afterwards. The two guys with whom I worked most closely were very comfortable in church, particularly in a sort of not traditional intentional small church community. So comfortable, that they would often go up and stand around the altar, looking on and gesturing while the priest was presiding. So we thought that at least one of them might want to be a proper altar server. The first time he did that (at another church), he was offered the cup of wine at Communion time (that church only offered the wine to the servers and the priest, not the general congregation). He took the cup and took a big drink. His face froze in consternation when he realized that is was not sweet the way his beloved Diet Coke was...happily, though, he did swallow it, and things went on... " The secret to l'Arche is relationship: meeting people...heart to heart " . Jean Vanier Visit us on the 2nd Thursday of each month! andra Conroy Executive Director and Community Leader L'Arche Chicago 1049 S Austin Blvd Chicago IL 60644 Office:312-226-1273 Home: 773-287-8249 ________________________________ From: Charlotte Cronin <fsn@...> IPADDUnite Sent: Wed, November 11, 2009 4:40:26 PM Subject: RE: Religion I have to share an amusing story my husband shared with me. He stays with the " guys " at church after and I leave. has a housemate named . is old enough to be retired and had lived with family all of his life until he moved in with , , and Stanley. I am told that his family had been VERY active church goers, participating several times at various activities across a week. So he's REALLY comfortable at church. This amusing moment happened within the first two or three times that attended church with us. This particular Sunday, Pastor Randy called all the elders and deacons up to installed. Of course, some of these guys were " re-upping " . Others were brand new. was not sitting with Mike. We were respecting his independence (still do). Any way, when Pastor Randy called the " session " up to be installed just walked up and joined them. Nobody knew who he was. It was a toot. Mike and I laughed for a month and the congregation was great, though many people checked in with me over the next month or so as they puzzled through it. You've got to find your laughs where you can. Charlotte _____ From: IPADDUnite@gro ups.com [mailto:IPADDUnite@gro ups.com] On Behalf Of Ellen Bronfeld Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 4:23 PM IPADDUnite@gro ups.com Subject: Re: Religion Hi Chantelle: Your question has generated some very interesting and wonderful responses. I can also add that, in addition to the information I emailed you about Keshet, that I have a very similar experience with Noah at Friday night services that Charlotte recounts with in church when she is singing to him. There are lots of songs during the Friday night service and if I mouth them to Noah, he will try his best to repeat the Hebrew...sometimes just a word or two, but he definitely is participating more and more. It is very special to witness. When Noah jumps up to rearrange things during the service, the other congregants are so used to him that no one skips a beat and the congregant who usually runs the Friday night service is totally amused by and I think touched by Noah's various activities during the service. I hope you will be able to figure out ways to provide your son with what he needs. Happy to talk to you about it more, offline. Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskbsbcglobal (DOT) <mailto:egskb% 40sbcglobal. net> net 847/212-3036 (cell) ____________ _________ _________ __ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 GREAT story, thanks for starting my day with a smile! Re: Religion Hi Chantelle: Your question has generated some very interesting and wonderful responses. I can also add that, in addition to the information I emailed you about Keshet, that I have a very similar experience with Noah at Friday night services that Charlotte recounts with in church when she is singing to him. There are lots of songs during the Friday night service and if I mouth them to Noah, he will try his best to repeat the Hebrew...sometimes just a word or two, but he definitely is participating more and more. It is very special to witness. When Noah jumps up to rearrange things during the service, the other congregants are so used to him that no one skips a beat and the congregant who usually runs the Friday night service is totally amused by and I think touched by Noah's various activities during the service. I hope you will be able to figure out ways to provide your son with what he needs. Happy to talk to you about it more, offline. Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskbsbcglobal (DOT) <mailto:egskb% 40sbcglobal. net> net 847/212-3036 (cell) ____________ _________ _________ __ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 GREAT story, thanks for starting my day with a smile! Re: Religion Hi Chantelle: Your question has generated some very interesting and wonderful responses. I can also add that, in addition to the information I emailed you about Keshet, that I have a very similar experience with Noah at Friday night services that Charlotte recounts with in church when she is singing to him. There are lots of songs during the Friday night service and if I mouth them to Noah, he will try his best to repeat the Hebrew...sometimes just a word or two, but he definitely is participating more and more. It is very special to witness. When Noah jumps up to rearrange things during the service, the other congregants are so used to him that no one skips a beat and the congregant who usually runs the Friday night service is totally amused by and I think touched by Noah's various activities during the service. I hope you will be able to figure out ways to provide your son with what he needs. Happy to talk to you about it more, offline. Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskbsbcglobal (DOT) <mailto:egskb% 40sbcglobal. net> net 847/212-3036 (cell) ____________ _________ _________ __ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 Chantelle, I've seen the answers so far, and I don't have a lot to add to it, except a brief remark and another question for all. Sometimes parents are more bothered by noise than everyone else. I'd ask the rabbi's opinion on this, and the other aspects that others here have mentioned. Chantelle makes a great point about teens and young adults--to include our kids with peers is not a long-term solution, once those peers go off to college. Although we live in Wheaton, we attend church in Naperville. Neal's peers from Sunday school and youth group all went away to college, and hardly any have come back. Another 20-something gal with disabilities at church is in the same situation. There's hardly anyone that age in our church. We have a small group of kids in our college group, but they are mostly out-of-towners. Their gatherings are the Sunday school or Bible study type, and college-level discussions. It would fly right over Neal's head, and at almost 24, the only thing he has in common with college students is lack of a job. Right now, he has adult Sunday school classes to choose from, but I don't think he's coming away with a lot of new knowledge. It's presented too high for him. He's got inclusion and acceptance, but few chances to learn much. What we need are more teens and adults with disabilities in the congregation. With a core group in this age group, we could have some developmentally appropriate learning. -Gail From: cporter8404 <cporter8404@...> Subject: Religion IPADDUnite Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 9:30 AM  We are having some difficulty figuring out how to fit our son in a meaningful way into temple. He is 17 but he prefers to do actitivies with kids. He is very noisy so typical services are out and since he wants to be around the kids that isn't really workable. We do have a family service but it is once a month and since he wants to go every week that leaves us kind of lacking. The people are welcoming so that's not an issue. There are only two other special needs children (13 and 8) and no special needs adults. He belongs to Senior Youth Group but soon the people he knows will go to college. We'd appreciate any input. Thanks. Chantelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 Chantelle, I've seen the answers so far, and I don't have a lot to add to it, except a brief remark and another question for all. Sometimes parents are more bothered by noise than everyone else. I'd ask the rabbi's opinion on this, and the other aspects that others here have mentioned. Chantelle makes a great point about teens and young adults--to include our kids with peers is not a long-term solution, once those peers go off to college. Although we live in Wheaton, we attend church in Naperville. Neal's peers from Sunday school and youth group all went away to college, and hardly any have come back. Another 20-something gal with disabilities at church is in the same situation. There's hardly anyone that age in our church. We have a small group of kids in our college group, but they are mostly out-of-towners. Their gatherings are the Sunday school or Bible study type, and college-level discussions. It would fly right over Neal's head, and at almost 24, the only thing he has in common with college students is lack of a job. Right now, he has adult Sunday school classes to choose from, but I don't think he's coming away with a lot of new knowledge. It's presented too high for him. He's got inclusion and acceptance, but few chances to learn much. What we need are more teens and adults with disabilities in the congregation. With a core group in this age group, we could have some developmentally appropriate learning. -Gail From: cporter8404 <cporter8404@...> Subject: Religion IPADDUnite Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 9:30 AM  We are having some difficulty figuring out how to fit our son in a meaningful way into temple. He is 17 but he prefers to do actitivies with kids. He is very noisy so typical services are out and since he wants to be around the kids that isn't really workable. We do have a family service but it is once a month and since he wants to go every week that leaves us kind of lacking. The people are welcoming so that's not an issue. There are only two other special needs children (13 and 8) and no special needs adults. He belongs to Senior Youth Group but soon the people he knows will go to college. We'd appreciate any input. Thanks. Chantelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 I have been a professional church musician for over 30 years-- I never go looking for disability, yet it finds me. I've served congregations in Chicago and the western and southern suburbs, mostly in Presbyterian churches but in a few other protestant denominations as well. I have tried to keep my professional life and my life as Mom to , who has autism, separate. But lessons I've learned come in handy quite often. I also decided to carve a " place " in every congregation I've served for and those like him many years ago. I've taught Special Ed Sunday School classes, included children with all sorts of challenges in any Christmas Pageant I've had to direct (I always make those children the angels--I think it's fitting)and have had children with hearing impairments and visual impairments and all sorts of learning disabilities in my children's choirs. In my last big church job--a Presbyterian church of medium to large-ish size--I directed four choirs. In my bell choir, I had a very high functioning young man with autism. I had been " warned " about Andy when I took the job and was told " not " to talk about his autism. I thought that was silly and Andy's mom and I spoke quite often--we could be honest with each other, refreshing for both of us. Andy also had an OCD component and at first, it made me nutz! I finally decided, if I can't beat 'em, I should join 'em--and from then on, Andy got out the bells from the cabinets for rehearsal, set them up and put them away after. He set up the bells and tables and gloves and table cloths for performances. His mother, who also played in the bell choir, and I decided it actually made him happier to set them up than to play them but he did play very, very well. So many times, folks--well meaning folks--don't want to talk about disability because they think it makes us uncomfortable. Many in our worship communities don't understand we want out children included in a way to make us all comfortable--we are used to making adaptations but they often times are not. It was often difficult for me to have Russ attend church regularly because I was actually working and couldn't always drag my husband to church to sit with him. Russ did come with me when I had to do paper work or attend meetings during the week. Our Sexton loved him and Russ often helped him by putting hymn books or pencils or visitor cards in the pews. If my respite feel through, Russ came to choir rehearsals with me and he loved it--he still comes to my chamber choir rehearsals, if need be. It is very special to see him react to music that is especially dear to him--he has favorite hymns--and when those are sung, his smile lights up the sanctuary! It is interesting to read others experiences of inclusion in worship communities--please, keep them coming! Marie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 I have been a professional church musician for over 30 years-- I never go looking for disability, yet it finds me. I've served congregations in Chicago and the western and southern suburbs, mostly in Presbyterian churches but in a few other protestant denominations as well. I have tried to keep my professional life and my life as Mom to , who has autism, separate. But lessons I've learned come in handy quite often. I also decided to carve a " place " in every congregation I've served for and those like him many years ago. I've taught Special Ed Sunday School classes, included children with all sorts of challenges in any Christmas Pageant I've had to direct (I always make those children the angels--I think it's fitting)and have had children with hearing impairments and visual impairments and all sorts of learning disabilities in my children's choirs. In my last big church job--a Presbyterian church of medium to large-ish size--I directed four choirs. In my bell choir, I had a very high functioning young man with autism. I had been " warned " about Andy when I took the job and was told " not " to talk about his autism. I thought that was silly and Andy's mom and I spoke quite often--we could be honest with each other, refreshing for both of us. Andy also had an OCD component and at first, it made me nutz! I finally decided, if I can't beat 'em, I should join 'em--and from then on, Andy got out the bells from the cabinets for rehearsal, set them up and put them away after. He set up the bells and tables and gloves and table cloths for performances. His mother, who also played in the bell choir, and I decided it actually made him happier to set them up than to play them but he did play very, very well. So many times, folks--well meaning folks--don't want to talk about disability because they think it makes us uncomfortable. Many in our worship communities don't understand we want out children included in a way to make us all comfortable--we are used to making adaptations but they often times are not. It was often difficult for me to have Russ attend church regularly because I was actually working and couldn't always drag my husband to church to sit with him. Russ did come with me when I had to do paper work or attend meetings during the week. Our Sexton loved him and Russ often helped him by putting hymn books or pencils or visitor cards in the pews. If my respite feel through, Russ came to choir rehearsals with me and he loved it--he still comes to my chamber choir rehearsals, if need be. It is very special to see him react to music that is especially dear to him--he has favorite hymns--and when those are sung, his smile lights up the sanctuary! It is interesting to read others experiences of inclusion in worship communities--please, keep them coming! Marie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 Gail is absolutely correct about this--how do we make it meaningful for our young adults kids? I would also agree with her thoughts about a core group of disabled worshipers to have Bible study with....how do you make that happen and has anyone made it happen? Marie > > > Right now, he has adult Sunday school classes to choose from, but I don't think he's coming away with a lot of new knowledge. It's presented too high for him. He's got inclusion and acceptance, but few chances to learn much. > > > -Gail > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 Gail is absolutely correct about this--how do we make it meaningful for our young adults kids? I would also agree with her thoughts about a core group of disabled worshipers to have Bible study with....how do you make that happen and has anyone made it happen? Marie > > > Right now, he has adult Sunday school classes to choose from, but I don't think he's coming away with a lot of new knowledge. It's presented too high for him. He's got inclusion and acceptance, but few chances to learn much. > > > -Gail > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 Garden Center Services, which acts as our fiscal agent, has a close relationship with a nearby Orthodox church. A parishoner is the niece of a person who lives at a Garden Center home. (I think that is the connection). Anyway, the priest from the church comes to one of Garden Centers homes once a month at leat (maybe more often) and conducts a bible study. If your particular worship congregation does not have enough young people with special needs to form a study, perhaps you ask other nearby congregations of the same or a theologically close denomination. The study could rotate among participating churches and be lead by different volunteers. Just a thought. If your son/daughter already lives in a CILA or other living arrangement, perhaps you can see if others served by the same agency would be interested in a Scripture study and then recruit a leader from one of the local congregations.  " The secret to l'Arche is relationship: meeting people...heart to heart " . Jean Vanier Visit us on the 2nd Thursday of each month! andra Conroy Executive Director and Community Leader L'Arche Chicago 1049 S Austin Blvd Chicago IL 60644                     Office:312-226-1273 Home: 773-287-8249 ________________________________ From: teteme55 <teteme@...> IPADDUnite Sent: Thu, November 12, 2009 11:58:06 AM Subject: Re: Religion  Gail is absolutely correct about this--how do we make it meaningful for our young adults kids? I would also agree with her thoughts about a core group of disabled worshipers to have Bible study with....how do you make that happen and has anyone made it happen? Marie > > > Right now, he has adult Sunday school classes to choose from, but I don't think he's coming away with a lot of new knowledge. It's presented too high for him. He's got inclusion and acceptance, but few chances to learn much. > > > -Gail > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 Garden Center Services, which acts as our fiscal agent, has a close relationship with a nearby Orthodox church. A parishoner is the niece of a person who lives at a Garden Center home. (I think that is the connection). Anyway, the priest from the church comes to one of Garden Centers homes once a month at leat (maybe more often) and conducts a bible study. If your particular worship congregation does not have enough young people with special needs to form a study, perhaps you ask other nearby congregations of the same or a theologically close denomination. The study could rotate among participating churches and be lead by different volunteers. Just a thought. If your son/daughter already lives in a CILA or other living arrangement, perhaps you can see if others served by the same agency would be interested in a Scripture study and then recruit a leader from one of the local congregations.  " The secret to l'Arche is relationship: meeting people...heart to heart " . Jean Vanier Visit us on the 2nd Thursday of each month! andra Conroy Executive Director and Community Leader L'Arche Chicago 1049 S Austin Blvd Chicago IL 60644                     Office:312-226-1273 Home: 773-287-8249 ________________________________ From: teteme55 <teteme@...> IPADDUnite Sent: Thu, November 12, 2009 11:58:06 AM Subject: Re: Religion  Gail is absolutely correct about this--how do we make it meaningful for our young adults kids? I would also agree with her thoughts about a core group of disabled worshipers to have Bible study with....how do you make that happen and has anyone made it happen? Marie > > > Right now, he has adult Sunday school classes to choose from, but I don't think he's coming away with a lot of new knowledge. It's presented too high for him. He's got inclusion and acceptance, but few chances to learn much. > > > -Gail > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 16, 2009 Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 Thanks for all the great suggestions. I think I will try speaking to the Rabbi about the possibility of getting a rotating group together as someone else suggested. Why is nothing ever easy? Chantelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 16, 2009 Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 Thanks for all the great suggestions. I think I will try speaking to the Rabbi about the possibility of getting a rotating group together as someone else suggested. Why is nothing ever easy? Chantelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 16, 2009 Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 Good luck, Chantelle...keep us posted on your efforts. As I like to say...the fun never ends! Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... Religion Thanks for all the great suggestions. I think I will try speaking to the Rabbi about the possibility of getting a rotating group together as someone else suggested. Why is nothing ever easy? Chantelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 16, 2009 Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 Good luck, Chantelle...keep us posted on your efforts. As I like to say...the fun never ends! Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... Religion Thanks for all the great suggestions. I think I will try speaking to the Rabbi about the possibility of getting a rotating group together as someone else suggested. Why is nothing ever easy? Chantelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 I looked at the thread to see if this had been mentioned. I didn't see it, but my apologies if I missed it. Some Catholic parishes have the SPRED program (Special Religious Education). It is a cluster program that is based on age levels: 6-10 year olds, 11-15 year olds, 16-21 year olds and over 21. (I am close if not exact.) The parish takes children or adults in the age bracket ONLY from parishes who also have SPRED programs. (Otherwise most parishes wouldn't start a program.) SPRED has a particular format and has more than a one-to-one ratio of catechists to " friends " (their preferred term). The idea is that persons with disabilities AND the volunteer catechists learn about God/religion through this group. Obviously, I am not the expert at SPRED, but would be happy to get more info for anyone interested. SPRED is a national program; the Chicago archdiocese has a person who facilitates the program throughout the archdiocese. Pam Caldwell > > Good luck, Chantelle...keep us posted on your efforts. > As I like to say...the fun never ends! > Ellen > Ellen Garber Bronfeld > egskb@... > Religion > > > > Thanks for all the great suggestions. I think I will try speaking to the Rabbi about the possibility of getting a rotating group together as someone else suggested. > > Why is nothing ever easy? > > Chantelle > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 I looked at the thread to see if this had been mentioned. I didn't see it, but my apologies if I missed it. Some Catholic parishes have the SPRED program (Special Religious Education). It is a cluster program that is based on age levels: 6-10 year olds, 11-15 year olds, 16-21 year olds and over 21. (I am close if not exact.) The parish takes children or adults in the age bracket ONLY from parishes who also have SPRED programs. (Otherwise most parishes wouldn't start a program.) SPRED has a particular format and has more than a one-to-one ratio of catechists to " friends " (their preferred term). The idea is that persons with disabilities AND the volunteer catechists learn about God/religion through this group. Obviously, I am not the expert at SPRED, but would be happy to get more info for anyone interested. SPRED is a national program; the Chicago archdiocese has a person who facilitates the program throughout the archdiocese. Pam Caldwell > > Good luck, Chantelle...keep us posted on your efforts. > As I like to say...the fun never ends! > Ellen > Ellen Garber Bronfeld > egskb@... > Religion > > > > Thanks for all the great suggestions. I think I will try speaking to the Rabbi about the possibility of getting a rotating group together as someone else suggested. > > Why is nothing ever easy? > > Chantelle > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 http://www.spred.org/ andra Conroy Executive Director and Community Leader L'Arche Chicago 1049 S Austin Blvd Chicago IL 60644                     Office:312-226-1273 Home: 773-287-8249   " The secret to l'Arche is relationship: meeting people...heart to heart " . Jean Vanier Visit us on the 2nd Thursday of each month! From: Pamela <psc1106@...> Subject: Re: Religion IPADDUnite Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 4:48 PM  I looked at the thread to see if this had been mentioned. I didn't see it, but my apologies if I missed it. Some Catholic parishes have the SPRED program (Special Religious Education). It is a cluster program that is based on age levels: 6-10 year olds, 11-15 year olds, 16-21 year olds and over 21. (I am close if not exact.) The parish takes children or adults in the age bracket ONLY from parishes who also have SPRED programs. (Otherwise most parishes wouldn't start a program.) SPRED has a particular format and has more than a one-to-one ratio of catechists to " friends " (their preferred term). The idea is that persons with disabilities AND the volunteer catechists learn about God/religion through this group. Obviously, I am not the expert at SPRED, but would be happy to get more info for anyone interested. SPRED is a national program; the Chicago archdiocese has a person who facilitates the program throughout the archdiocese. Pam Caldwell > > Good luck, Chantelle... keep us posted on your efforts. > As I like to say...the fun never ends! > Ellen > Ellen Garber Bronfeld > egskb@... > Religion > > > > Thanks for all the great suggestions. I think I will try speaking to the Rabbi about the possibility of getting a rotating group together as someone else suggested. > > Why is nothing ever easy? > > Chantelle > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 http://www.spred.org/ andra Conroy Executive Director and Community Leader L'Arche Chicago 1049 S Austin Blvd Chicago IL 60644                     Office:312-226-1273 Home: 773-287-8249   " The secret to l'Arche is relationship: meeting people...heart to heart " . Jean Vanier Visit us on the 2nd Thursday of each month! From: Pamela <psc1106@...> Subject: Re: Religion IPADDUnite Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 4:48 PM  I looked at the thread to see if this had been mentioned. I didn't see it, but my apologies if I missed it. Some Catholic parishes have the SPRED program (Special Religious Education). It is a cluster program that is based on age levels: 6-10 year olds, 11-15 year olds, 16-21 year olds and over 21. (I am close if not exact.) The parish takes children or adults in the age bracket ONLY from parishes who also have SPRED programs. (Otherwise most parishes wouldn't start a program.) SPRED has a particular format and has more than a one-to-one ratio of catechists to " friends " (their preferred term). The idea is that persons with disabilities AND the volunteer catechists learn about God/religion through this group. Obviously, I am not the expert at SPRED, but would be happy to get more info for anyone interested. SPRED is a national program; the Chicago archdiocese has a person who facilitates the program throughout the archdiocese. Pam Caldwell > > Good luck, Chantelle... keep us posted on your efforts. > As I like to say...the fun never ends! > Ellen > Ellen Garber Bronfeld > egskb@... > Religion > > > > Thanks for all the great suggestions. I think I will try speaking to the Rabbi about the possibility of getting a rotating group together as someone else suggested. > > Why is nothing ever easy? > > Chantelle > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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