electronic stationery template
Contact: Sherry S. Kirschenbaum (973) 929-3084; [email protected]
For Immediate Release
Morris County Congregation Designated as Inclusion-Friendly Synagogues Across Area Receive Grants to Enhance Services for People with Disabilities Whippany, NJ, June 12, 2014 — Adath Shalom in Morris Plains has been named an ABLE Awarded congregation — the first in Morris County — meeting specific criteria to be considered inclusive of individuals with disabilities and their families. The appointment was made by Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ’s MetroWest ABLE, which coordinates a network of agencies and advocates that service individuals of all ages with special needs and their families in Essex, Morris, Sussex, Union, and parts of Somerset County. MetroWest ABLE also announced that five congregations in Greater MetroWest have been awarded Synagogue Challenge Grants that will be used for building enhancements, programs, and/or enhanced services for people with disabilities and their families, allowing them greater accessibility to the synagogue community. Synagogue Challenge Grant awardees include: • • • • •
Bnai Keshet, Montclair, for an inclusion facilitator/coordinator to educate staff and lay leadership on the best practices of inclusion and to facilitate the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the entire congregation. Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, Springfield, for the “Wireless Classroom”: providing teacher training for working with children with disabilities and purchasing of equipment for classroom use. Temple Beth O’r/Beth Torah, Clark, for expanding its program for adults with disabilities participating in Shabbat services on a monthly basis. Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel, South Orange, for live streaming technology allowing members of the community to participate in life cycle events when unable to physically attend in person. Temple Sholom, Scotch Plains/Fanwood, for installing an audio induction loop in its newly constructed building, allowing individuals with partial hearing loss to have better access to services and programs.
The Synagogue Challenge Grants were made possible this year through the generous support of Federation, the Goldner Family, the Linda Bunis Haller Foundation, and the Joyce and Leonard Kulick Fund for Special Needs. Learn more about the work of MetroWest ABLE by contacting Rebecca Wanatick, community inclusion coordinator, at (973) 929-3129 or [email protected].
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Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ (Federation) stands at the center of a network of 27 partner agencies dedicated to providing comprehensive social services and meeting the educational, vocational, recreational, and social needs of Jews locally, in Israel, and in 70 countries around the world. Federation also creates ways/spaces for people to connect to a multitude of Jewish experiences in personally meaningful ways. Responding to emergency and disaster situations around the world is another important part of the Federation mission.
For Immediate Release
Morris County Congregation Designated as Inclusion-Friendly Synagogues Across Area Receive Grants to Enhance Services for People with Disabilities Whippany, NJ, June 12, 2014 — Adath Shalom in Morris Plains has been named an ABLE Awarded congregation — the first in Morris County — meeting specific criteria to be considered inclusive of individuals with disabilities and their families. The appointment was made by Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ’s MetroWest ABLE, which coordinates a network of agencies and advocates that service individuals of all ages with special needs and their families in Essex, Morris, Sussex, Union, and parts of Somerset County. MetroWest ABLE also announced that five congregations in Greater MetroWest have been awarded Synagogue Challenge Grants that will be used for building enhancements, programs, and/or enhanced services for people with disabilities and their families, allowing them greater accessibility to the synagogue community. Synagogue Challenge Grant awardees include: • • • • •
Bnai Keshet, Montclair, for an inclusion facilitator/coordinator to educate staff and lay leadership on the best practices of inclusion and to facilitate the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the entire congregation. Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, Springfield, for the “Wireless Classroom”: providing teacher training for working with children with disabilities and purchasing of equipment for classroom use. Temple Beth O’r/Beth Torah, Clark, for expanding its program for adults with disabilities participating in Shabbat services on a monthly basis. Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel, South Orange, for live streaming technology allowing members of the community to participate in life cycle events when unable to physically attend in person. Temple Sholom, Scotch Plains/Fanwood, for installing an audio induction loop in its newly constructed building, allowing individuals with partial hearing loss to have better access to services and programs.
The Synagogue Challenge Grants were made possible this year through the generous support of Federation, the Goldner Family, the Linda Bunis Haller Foundation, and the Joyce and Leonard Kulick Fund for Special Needs. Learn more about the work of MetroWest ABLE by contacting Rebecca Wanatick, community inclusion coordinator, at (973) 929-3129 or [email protected].
Page 2
Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ (Federation) stands at the center of a network of 27 partner agencies dedicated to providing comprehensive social services and meeting the educational, vocational, recreational, and social needs of Jews locally, in Israel, and in 70 countries around the world. Federation also creates ways/spaces for people to connect to a multitude of Jewish experiences in personally meaningful ways. Responding to emergency and disaster situations around the world is another important part of the Federation mission.
