Tag Archives: unique

Spotlight on the Matan Class at the JCC of Manhattan

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The Matan class, part of the Kulam program at the JCC of Manhattan, serves children ages 8-12 years with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  This year, the focus of the class is Synagogue Life.  This is a unique experience for the students in the JCC setting, as for many of them it is their first opportunity to learn about synagogues.

Recently, Matan teacher Shira Arcus introduced a unit on “People in the Synagogue”.  Rabbinical Student Ariella Rosen made a guest appearance at the class.  She told the students that she is studying to be a Rabbi.  Through using stick puppets, she explained the various roles of different people in the Synagogue, including the Rabbi, cantor and teachers.  She told the students that Rabbis help people learn about being Jewish, and they also help to lead prayers in Synagogue.  Ariella showed them different versions of a Siddur (Jewish prayer book) and the students began their own Siddur project.

Shira told the students that with the new year, they would be starting a new way of doing t’fillah in their class so that everyone would have a new way of connecting with God.  They learned about tzitzit (ritual fringes) and the brachah (blessing) people say when they put on tzitzit.  Beginning their siddur project, they colored the body of a cut out person and glued on felt tzitzit to remind them what people wear when they pray to God.  They also created a cover for their siddur.  The students will create new pages of their siddur as they learn about different t’fillot (prayers) and even create their own personal prayer to God.

According to Shira, “Having the students interact with a Rabbinical student made synagogue and prayer more real to them. They had the opportunity to ask questions, and learn about and experience ritual objects by putting on tzitzit and reading from the siddur.”

To learn more about the Matan Class at the JCC of Manhattan, please contact Matan’s site supervisor at Chava@matankids.org.

Each month, Matan will put the spotlight on a Jewish Special Education program.  If you are interested in having your program featured, please contact Meredith@matankids.org.

 

An Interesting Thing Happened on the Way to Rockmitzvah

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Rockmitzvah was really an accident… an accident waiting to happen.  One late evening four years ago, Marc Jacoby was scouring the Craigslist Community pages and fell upon a family in search of a real rock and roll band to perform, with their child, at a Bergen County Bar Mitzvah.  Marc got in contact with the mom, and unbeknownst to any of them, formulated the plan for the first Rockmitzvah.  The family made the trek to a warehouse in Yonkers, where Marc and his rock and roll buddies rehearsed and jammed on a regular basis.  When they all descended upon the cavernous and dusty venue, history was made, a contract was worked out, and a 13 year old man-child made plans for a true rite of passage — to rock out on stage with real touring, major label musicians.

After the event was over and the band was driving home, Jim Weingast, drummer and business manager of the ensemble, coined the term “Rockmitzvah”.  Jeff Reich, bassist and daytime attorney, trademarked the name to be shared by the partners, which included a fourth mentor, Cliff Mays, guitarist, vocalist, composer and educator.  A concept was born, and it has been quite a journey over the last four years.

Rockmitvah’s sole purpose is to integrate the bar/bat mitzvah child, and their friends and family, into the actual performance during their simcha (celebration).  The child is a star for a day, and friends and family members participate musically in a unique event which simply complements the tradition and meaning of this momentous day in the life of a Jewish family.

Because every family is different, and every child is unique, every Rockmitzvah is a custom fit.  This is why Matan and Rockmitzvah fit so well together – and why families with children who face learning challenges seem to be uniquely attracted to the wholesome and intimate entertainment model afforded by Rockmitzvah.  We are proud to be partners with Matan.

For more information about Rockmitzvah, contact 914-419-3610 or visit www.rockmitzvah.com.