Fall - Reena

Reena Kolreena Reena Kolreena Reena Kolreena
The Kinus 2008 Conference By Arlene Margolese, Manager, Faith & Cultural Services
T
he Kinus 2008 Conference took almost two years of
meticulous planning by a committee of keen,
knowledgeable and energetic people in Toronto and
Ottawa. The conference was everything we had hoped for
and then some. It brought together Jewish developmental
services providers from across Canada and the U.S. Frontline
staff, family members and clients also took part in the
three-day event which exemplified the meaning of Kinus –
to gather together.
Focus of the conference was inclusion in all aspects of
living of people with developmental disabilities. There were
opportunities to learn new skills and strengthen abilities, to
share best practices, discuss some welcome changes in today’s
society, and above all, there was encouragement to
staff in the field of developmental disabilities to carry on
their much appreciated efforts on behalf of clients and their
families.
The keynote speaker
was Ian Brown, Feature
Writer for the Globe and
Mail and CBC Radio
Host, as well as author of
"I am Walker Brown".
Shelly Christensen, from
Minneapolis, author of
the “Jewish Community
Guide to Inclusion of
People with Disabilities”
was our guest speaker
Monday morning, and
Elaine Hall, from Los
Angeles California,
Founder, Producer and
Director of "The Miracle
Project", a musical theatre
Everyone enjoyed and appreciated the
project for children of all
opportunity to stretch and breathe abilities who made a
deeply with Rosalie Lazar, of The Yoga presentation Monday
Tree, Vancouver.
evening..
The conference included workshops, lectures and panel
discussions centering around "Creating an Inclusive Jewish
Community" and "Living a Jewish Life". Also included was
a choice to tour one of Toronto's innovative programs,
either "The JVS Innovative Path 2 Work Program", "Reena's
Senior Home at Weldrick", or "Zareinu Educational Centre".
The conference opening ceremonies included musical
entertainment featuring Shoshana Telner, Concert Pianist,
The Halleluja Drummers, Michael, Moon, Musician, and
the Reena and Tamir Choirs, and Reena Dancers.
4 • Kolreena • September 2008
(l to r) Kinus 2008 Committee:
Arnold Foss (Circle of Care) Co-Chair, Marilyn Raphael (Reena) , Co-
Chair, Myra Wiener, Mark Palmer (Tamir, Ottawa) Arlene Margolese,
(Reena) Cantor Daniel Benlolo, (Tamir, Ottawa)
Reena Choir with Fern Dworkin, Volunteer Choir Master
(l to r) Becca Hornstein, Shelly Christensen, Michelle Wolf, Sally Weber
and Stan Kugelmass presenters at the Creating An Inclusive Jewish
Community session.
Kinus 2008 was sponsored by: Bert and Marilyn Raphael
Advocacy Fund, Jewish Federation of Ottawa, Reena
Foundation, Tamir Foundation., and the UJA Federation of
Greater Toronto.