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BAR/BAT MITZVAH FOR THE SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD
| Operation Mazal Tov | Netaim
| Maayan
The Bar/Bat Mitzvah for the Special Child program annually prepares over 300 children
with special needs for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremony. Since 1995, the Masorti
Movement has been running Israel’s only national Bar/Bat Mitzvah program, which
reaches out systematically to children with special needs in Israeli schools.
Originally starting in one school, today the program operates in forty schools,
hospitals and institutions throughout Israel and educates some 300 children a
year. 
The program works with youth with special needs who would not otherwise benefit
from Jewish enrichment classes, and provides an opportunity for them to be called
up to the Torah. Participants include children with a variety of special needs,
including those with Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, mild and moderate mental retardation,
hearing impairments, ADD, ADHD and other behavioral challenges, autism, and blindness.
No one is turned away on the basis of the severity of his or her disability. About
one third of the participants are new immigrants.
Outreach to Youth With Special Needs
The Bar/Bat Mitzvah for the Special Child reaches out to all sectors of the community
(Orthodox, Reform, Masorti, secular, new immigrants), offering every child the
opportunity to experience this important life-cycle event. The program attempts
to re-enter these children into society as “whole people with varying differences,”
providing both children and families with the pride and joy of accomplishing this
Jewish crossroads in their lives.
No other organization offers such a systematic teaching program for this sector
of Israeli society, the overwhelming majority of which would otherwise not have
the opportunity for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. This project continues to ensure that
one more section of our society, children with special needs, is included within
the Jewish fold.
Objectives
To teach the children the importance of belonging to the Jewish community.
To empower parents to prepare for their child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
To train teachers in Jewish Special Education.
To realize summer programs (Netanim, Maayan) for this sector of the population.
 The
Program
The program provides for Jewish enrichment classes in special education schools,
as a preparation for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremony. A staff of 20 teachers, in
the fields of Jewish and Special Education, teach the children about the Torah
and important mitzvot, as well as learning about festivals and customs.
In the classes, held over a of six to nine month period, the children study about
Judaism at a much greater depth than regular classes in Special Education schools.
Teaching methods are modern, creative and loving, accounting for the differing
capabilities of the children. Tools such as cameras, photos and computers are
used to convey concepts and teachings.
A major part of their studies includes preparation for the actual Bar/Bat Mitzvah,
which classmates celebrate together in a joint ceremony. This includes studying
the blessings and their meanings and, where possible, learning to read from the
Torah. Each class is suited to the level and capability of the children participating.
The Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremonies are generally held at Masorti synagogues, in the
presence of family, teachers and school-friends. At each ceremony, held on a weekday
morning, all the children from the class who studied for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah
are called up to the Torah. The service is accompanied by much singing and dancing,
and includes the participation of other children from the school, when possible.
The ceremony concludes with a brunch reception.
Staff
National director Zivah Nativ oversees the program. The teaching staff comprises rabbis, cantors, and other teachers, specialising in Special and Jewish Education, who hail from the Masorti Movement, including members of Marom, the Masorti young adults and students organization.
Training
Teacher training is an important part of the program, with a training seminar
at the beginning of the teaching year and the National Conference on Jewish Special
Education, held in April. These meetings give the teachers a chance to learn and
develop new dynamic methods of alternative instruction. These meetings have led
to the elaboration of a computer program, with both words and photographs, to
teach literacy and communication at the same time.
Other Programs For Youth With Special Needs and Their Families
Maayan – introduced in 2003, a program for older graduates to work at Ramah-NOAM
Summer Camp, as staff members.
Parents’ support – group meetings to support families whose children are preparing
for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
National Conference on Jewish Special Education – for teachers, educators
and families.
Operation Mazal Tov
Operation Mazal Tov is the joint project of the Masorti Foundation and the Cantors
Assembly to enable American Bnai Mitzvah to twin with one of the Israeli children
with special needs in the program. Learn more about
the program, about how to make a contribution or to order Operation Mazal
Tov materials.
10th Anniversary of the Program
2006 marks the 10th anniversary of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program for the Special
Needs Child. Download PDF with program milestones.
Contact Information
National Director: Zivah Nativ
Business tel: +972 (8) 610-8366
Mobile tel: +972 (54) 421-3750
Email: zivah@masorti.org
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| This program is supported by
grants from the Jewish Agency for Israel and the UJA Federation of Bergen
County and North Hudson. |
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