Special Needs Programs

Temple Sinai embraces children and teens with special needs and their families.

Kadima - an Individualized Program for Children with Learning Differences

The goal of the Kadima program is to ensure that Jewish Education is available to all of our children, including those with IEPs and 504s.

Students in grades K-7 meet with a Special Needs Hebrew teacher who provides them with individualized instruction. These sessions provide students with opportunities for practice, review, and understanding concepts with which they may be struggling. Students experiencing difficulty with Hebrew reading are able to improve their skills and confidence in this supportive learning environment. Families select the day, time, and location that best accommodates the needs of their student. Kadima is generously funded by Susan and Leonard Feinstein and Jill and Jay Bernstein. For more information, please contact Cantor-Educator Elena Schwartz at (516)621-8016.

Chazak - PROVIDING A MEANINGFUL JEWISH FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DIFFERENCES

Chazak, which is Hebrew for strong, is Temple Sinai's outreach program for children ages 6 and up with special needs and their families.  Rosie Bogard, LMSW, is the Chazak Coordinator. Through this program, families within our congregation and in neighboring communities have the opportunity to provide their children with meaningful Jewish learning. CHAZAK continues to advance the Temple Sinai's efforts to include all families and children in the Jewish learning process.  This multi-faceted program includes Shabbat and Jewish holiday programs, a three-hour drop-off program on certain days that schools are closed, and social activities/outings. CHAZAK is led by certified special education teachers and is designed to meet the individual and unique needs of each child, as well as those of their families.  Workshops integrate movement, music, art, cooking, technology, yoga and other forms of enrichment into the learning experience with a very small teacher to student ratio.

The Chazak program is free of charge to all; members, as well as non-members are welcome. Contact Cantor-Educator Elena Schwartz at 516.621.6800 for more information and registration.

Please click on the video below to learn more about our very special Chazak program.

Chazak BAR/BAT MITZVAH PROGRAM - FOR CHILDREN IN GRADES 3-7

Every child can become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at Temple Sinai. We are committed to working with each individual family to create a unique Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremony for your child. Our experienced and specially-trained staff will customize the preparation and service to best maximize your child's experience. Temple membership is required for Bar/Bat Mitzavh preparation. For more information, please contact Cantor-Educator Elena Schwartz at (516)621-8016. 

TEEN Chazak - A Program for STUDENTS 14 and Up

The Teen Chazak program is designed to prepare students to become fully-participating members of our community. Our goal is to provide life skills, education, and training in a Jewish setting for students who are 14 years and older. Our Chazak teens acquire many life skills in their secular school to help them transition from being students to life as independent and productive adults. At Temple Sinai, we continue that education with a Jewish twist. Temple Sinai is dedicated to providing our participants with an opportunity to develop their social skills, self-advocacy skills, communication skills, home and career skills, and career and work related skills.  All while having fun!  To learn more, please contact Lulu Belferder, Director of Youth Engagement at 516-621-6800. 

To see Teen Chazak in action, please click on the video below.