Spring - Reena

Third annual Passover Gala Concert
Enjoy the music of one of Canada’s most
prolific and beloved composers, Srul Irving
Glick. Our third annual Passover Gala Concert,
conducted by Srul will be held on Tue. Mar. 27,
2001, at 8 p.m., at the Beth Tikvah
Synagogue, 3080 Bayview Ave., North York.
An outstanding group of artists will take
part in the program, including: Susan
Hoeppner, flute; Lori Gemmell, harp;
Valerie Siren, soprano; Cecilia Ignatieff,
piano; the Festival String Quartet (members
of the Toronto String Quartet); Mark
Skazinetsky and Sergei Nikonov, violins;
Christopher Redfield, viola; and Marie
Gelinas, cello. The Beth Tikvah Choir and
Program for children with autism
by Judy Springer, MSW, CSW, Manager and Maureen Ander, Supervisor, Client & Family Services
In October 2000, Reena opened a
temporary group home for children with
autism, in response to a need from
community families. This is an exciting
new venture for our agency.
Autism, a condition usually diagnosed
by the age of three, is thought to be
caused by an abnormality in the brain.
Children with autism face unique
challenges due to deficits in areas that
may include communication, socialization
and responsiveness to the environment.
Depending on the severity of the impairment,
many children with autism need
special medical care, educational and
social services and lifelong help from their
family and community.
The challenges facing some families of
children with autism can be enormous,
depleting them physically and emotionally.
In some instances, families are unable
to cope with the complexity of needs
presented by their autistic child on an
ongoing basis. To help those families in
greatest need, Reena is building the Yetta
Berg Family Home for Children with
Srul Glick, composer and conductor.
Autism, a new group home in York Region
for children with autism. Three permanent
spaces will be filled, plus three respite
spaces that will be offered on a time-share
basis, providing much needed relief to 18
families of young children (aged six to 14
years) with autism.
Reena has had the lead responsibility
for the development of the home, including
staff recruitment, supervision and
management of this new residential
service. Our planning team has included a
coalition of agencies and individuals from
York Region who meet with us regularly
to provide valuable support and services
such as staff training, family support and
behavioural consultation.
As we face the challenges associated
with the development and implementation
of this new program, we’re confident that
with time and the ongoing support from
families and community, we’ll continue to
provide opportunities for improved quality
of life for the children we support, and the
much-needed respite that their families
require.
members of Lachan, The Toronto Jewish
Chamber Choir will also perform.
One of the highlights of the program
will be a Psalm Elegy, in memory of Elmer
Iseler, based on a set of three poems by
Toronto poet Tobi Bongard.
The evening is sponsored by the Beth
Tikvah Social Action Committee and Musica
Beth Tikvah. Proceeds will benefit Reena
and Homes For People With Autism And
Pervasive Developmental Disorders.
Admission is $15 in advance and $20 at the
door. Seniors and students $10. For more
details or to order tickets, please call (905)
763-8254 ext. 3034.
The
Iannuzziello
Family Gift Shop
at
Reena’s Toby and
Henry Battle
Developmental
Centre
We carry a wide variety of gifts suitable
for Pesach and all holiday giving.
Call Arlene Margolese at
(905) 889-2654 ext. 2229 for an
appointment to see the many items
made by Reena clients, as well as
imported items from Israel.
Reena members are entitled to
10-per-cent discount on items bought
in the Gift Shop and Greenhouse.
6 • KOLREENA March 2001