Masorti Programs: Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program for Children with Special Needs
Israel's only national program, providing bar/bat mitzvah preparation and Jewish enrichment for children with special needs. This program has brought joy to more than 3,000 families who never thought they would be able to experience such a simcha.
The Masorti movement believes that every child, regardless of ability, deserves this chance to shine – and take his or her rightful place as a Jewish adult, embraced by community. What began in one school for children with special needs today includes up to about 300 youngsters a year who attend 40 special education schools throughout Israel. Participants include children with a variety of physical and developmental challenges, such as cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, ADD-ADHD, autism, blindness, hearing impairments and learning disabilities. The program welcomes children of every religious and ethnic background, many of them new immigrants.
Each year, six to nine months of preparation with teachers certified in special education and knowledgeable in Judaic studies culminate in joyous communal bar/bat mitzvah celebrations at one of the Masorti kehillot (congregations). When the children are called up to the Torah for an aliyah, many utilizing special communications devices to recite the appropriate blessings, rarely is the congregation not moved to tears. Communal singing and dancing are always part of the celebration.
Leading up to the big day, youngsters learn about blessings, Shabbat, festivals and customs, performing mitzvot and other activities that reflect Jewish values. If possible, for example, they visit the elderly, care for animals and help others in need as part of their commitment to Jewish life. Teacher training is also an important component of the program, with professional development provided in the latest alternative and interactive modes of learning. Many faculty come from the professional ranks of the Masorti movement, including rabbis and youth movement counselors.
Families Say "Thank You" to the Masorti Movement
Here is a sample of the letters that Masorti receives when familes, whose children have special needs, are able to celebrate their child's Bar/Bat Mitzvah .
To the Masorti Movement in Israel,
My younger brother Ro’i is a teenager with Autism. When he turned 13, we ruled out the possibility of his having a Bar Mitzvah. We felt like it would mean more to us than to him, and that dealing with the Orthodox bureaucracy will be too hard. Trying to have a “normal” experience is sometimes frustrating and even insulting at times, when dealing with the rest of the world.
When I found out Ro’i was being called up to the Torah through the Masorti movement I was thrilled. Somewhere deep inside, I really wanted him to have a Bar Mitzvah, but I never thought it was possible. I thought to myself - he deserves it too!
Being there with him when he was putting on tefillin, praying, reading Torah, singing and dancing with his friends made me happy beyond words. I want to say, “thank you.” Thank you for your devotion to teaching my brother, for respecting him, for treating him as an equal human being, for letting him find his place in the group and as an individual. In October, I will start my studies as a special education teacher. I can't wait for the day my students will have a Bar Mitzvah through the Masorti movement, so I can have that special experience again.
We thank all of you with all our hearts, especially Susie and Marianella, Ro'i's wonderful teachers.
Yishar Koach,
Yarden Gilboa and the entire family
To the wonderful Masorti congregation and the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program for Children with Special Needs,
Our son's Bar Mitzvah at your synagogue, Ve'Ahavta, left us in awe. The way you treated each Bar Mitzvah with dignity and respect is worthy of great praise. The ceremony was held in a special atmosphere, where each Bar Mitzvah had the opportunity to feel uniquely special. Your warmth and sensitivity are rare.
I must admit, I did not know you beforehand and was worried about going to a Masorti synagogue, since I was raised in an Orthodox home. I was amazed how understanding, supporting and warm everyone was to all of us. Rabbi Elisha teaches that a person has three names: one that his parents named him, one that people call him, and one that he earns for himself. Worthy of them all is the one man earns for himself. You are as your name, as Elisha the prophet was a leader, so are you. Your congregation is a blessing. A special thank you goes to the dedicated teacher of the Bnai Mitzvah, Marianella, who worked with them with endless patience and care. For me, the whole experience was moving, but for us the most special part was when Ido said Kaddish for the first time for his dad, who died nine years ago. Your patience and love made that moment happen for us. Our family will never forget what you have done for us, the words you have said, nor the way you made us feel on the day of Ido's Bar Mitzvah.
With love and respect,
Nili, Roni, Ido, Guy and Eitan
To Masorti,
It would have been simpler if Arad — 14-years-old, stocky, with blue eyes and a winning smile — were like other children, but he is not. Neither an individual nor a class bar mitzvah was even vaguely considered.
Then we learned about the Masorti Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program for Children With Special Needs, uniquely adapted to each child’s needs.
The day of the Bar Mitzvah ceremony arrived. It is hard to describe in words the excitement and anxiety we felt. Arad participated to the best of his ability, as much as he wanted, and that was definitely enough to cause us and the other guests to shed a tear of happiness and pride.
We would like to thank you for the opportunity you gave us to feel the same experience that all parents should feel, that we and our child belong to the Jewish community and that we are proud of our child.
With love,
Nitza, Duby and Arad
Givat Elah
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program for Children With Special Needs Makes the New Down Under. To read more, click here.
in the lower left corner. Turn up your speaker volume to hear the accompanying audio.Get Involved
While unfortunately, the youngsters in the program are not equipped to engage in "pen pal" exchanges, young supporters of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program for Children with Special Needs may organize a group gift from their bar/bat mitzvah class, day school, youth group chapter, summer camp or sports team. There are many ways for children and families celebrating bat/bat mitzvah to become involved, individually or as groups:
- Sponsor one child for $1,000
- Designate a portion of your own bar/bat mitzvah gifts to the program, or ask your own guests to make contributions in your honor
- Raise money through Mitzvah Fairs and/or individual endeavors, such as babysitting or mowing lawns
- Organize a group activity that requires sponsors, eg. soccer ball “kick-a-thon,” lap swim, hoops contest, distance run or “read-a-thon”
- Share this handout with other friends and members of your congregation.
- Click here for the flyer with contact info for the Masorti Foundation in the United States
- Click here for the flyer with contact info for the Masorti Foundation in Canada
- Click here for contact info for the Canadian Foundation