Simchat Torah

Ner Shalom is committed to welcoming families with special needs, and considers it both a mitzvah and a great privilege to offer the Celebrations Program. Celebrations offers monthly events designed to meet the needs of families who have members with special needs. Most sessions are associated with a holiday and involve music, art, ritual food preparation, storytelling, games and teachings about the holiday. The young people represented in the program have disabilities that include Down’s Syndrome, cerebral palsy and severe autism. Celebrations tries to employ all five senses to create strong impressions and lasting connections with Jewish ritual. All families with teens and young adults with special needs are welcome to join Celebrations.

Every Celebrations session includes a Parent Break. This is an opportunity for private conversation, study and respite while participating teens and young adults continue to celebrate with our staff. Parents have a chance to connect with each other, offer support, ideas and resources, and even discuss some Jewish topics.