2007 - United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

accommodations listed in Goal A were those needed to assist our adults with special needs to fully participate in our
adult programs.
Programming for children:
Beth David’s children’s programming includes:
• Religious School classes for grades PreK-7th
• High school classes for grades 8-12
• Youth Groups: Jr. Kadima, Sr. Kadima and USY
• Affiliated Cub Scout pack
• Shabbat and High Holiday services for tots and youth
• Torah Readers’ Club and Torah Leaders’ Club
• Trope classes
• Bnei Mitzvah training
• Family Education programs
• M’yuhad special need program
At this time, the accommodations for children with special learning issues are administered as part of our “M’yuhad”
special needs program which is part of the Religious School.
The purpose of the M’yuhad program is to allow all Jewish Students a Jewish education, to enable them to become part
of the Jewish community and feel connected to Judaism. Congregation Beth David has an on site Credentialed Learning
Specialist who oversees our M’yuhad Program. The Learning specialist is responsible for making sure that:
• The students with special learning needs are properly identified through the use of special confidentiality
forms, teacher requests for case review, gentle discussions with parents. Students that have an TEP (Individual
Education Plan) are asked to submit them to the Learning Specialist.
• Make sure that proper accommodations are given to Special Students in the Religious School — this can come
in the form of a M’yuhad buddy,* a one-on-one tutor or teacher or an alternative learning plan. The Learning
Specialist reviews all students that have been identified with a “special need” and works with the family to
ensure that their child receives the Jewish education they need. She develops a “Jewish IEP (Individual
Education Plan)” and works with the teachers, classroom aides and buddies to make sure the accommodations
needed are implemented. The Learning Specialist is always available during Religious School hours to
supervise, work with a student or give support should the need arise.
• Make sure that proper accommodations are put into place for special students to become a bar/bat mitzvah with
pride and dignity. These accommodations are made on a case by case basis and may include minimal service
participation as needed, a Sunday or Thursday service instead of Shabbat; allowances for partiaL/shared Torah
and/or Haftorah readings; use of alternative tools to insure success (e.g., transliteration, memorization, audio
tapes).
• Make sure that teachers, classroom aides and buddies understand the accommodations the student needs. The
learning specialist teaches a year long class in Hebrew High titled “What Makes a Good Teacher” — in it all
students who wish to be Classroom aides or M’yuhad Buddies are taught about confidentiality,
accommodations and proper attitude to help Special students feel welcome and part of the community.
• Make recommendations for accommodations in Youth Group and Hebrew High programs. Although, the
Learning Specialist is not available during Youth Group and Hebrew High functions, she gives
recommendations for proper accommodations to insure that all students have a positive experience.
* M’yuhad Buddies support our Religious School program for students with special needs. The M’yuhad program
helps provide a Jewish education to students with various forms of learning challenges. M’yuhad Buddies are matched
with one particular student and “shadow” them throughout their Religious School day. They have a unique opportunity
to bond with one child and truly make a difference in their lives. The M’yuhad Buddy works one-on-one with students
with various leaning challenges within the established classroom settings for as long as the student is able to do so in a
reasonable way. If the M’yuhad Buddy and teacher determine that the student is no longer learning in that setting, or is
being too disruptive, the M’yuhad Buddy works with the student outside the classroom. This may be by actually sitting
down and doing the same work in a quieter setting, or it may be by taking a walk and having a discussion orally. The
M’yuhad Buddy works with students with various learning challenges including: ADD, ADHD, Pervasive