Every child is a special child. Tali is a terrific swimmer; Avi sings in a choir; Ronit draws beautiful pictures; Yoni has been reading since he was 4.

Yes, every child is a special child – and some because of their own special needs.

Recently 45 of these special children met together on a cold February morning in Jerusalem. Half were from the Hartman School, an elite junior/senior high school, while half were from the Rachel Strauss School, a school for children with autism and moderate mental retardation.

The meeting marked the beginning of LOTEM’s Natural Integration project, which offers activities in nature to mixed groups of children from the special and regular education systems. The project, which is funded by the Ruderman Family Foundation, is part of LOTEM, a national organization with centers in Jerusalem and Yokneam Moshava offering educational activities in nature to people with special needs. These include children and adults who are visually and hearing impaired, physically and intellectually challenged, emotionally disturbed, and in danger of physical or emotional abuse.

The meeting was an overwhelming success. The children were divided into small groups made up of participants from each of the two schools. Their task was to plan an outing in nature – a special outing, suitable for young children, or senior citizens, or families on bikes. Where would they go? Would they need an accessible trail? What should they take with them? Should they prepare pasta or should each participant bring his own sandwich? The children from the Hartman School were able to deal with the more concrete issues, while the children from Rachel Strauss, with the help of pictures and communication tables, were able to make their own contributions to the plans. The excitement in the room was overwhelming. The children were not only learning about special needs, they were also making new friends.

At the end of the session, Moriya, the head of LOTEM’s Jerusalem office, told them that in two weeks they would be going on an outing together – all 45 children – each special in his own way.

“The best part is that you’ve helped us plan the day,” she said.

“Don’t forget to bring a hat,” Rafi told his new friends.

“Pasta, promise us pasta,” they all chimed in together.

It seems that children are children no matter how special they are.

– Paula Friedland

Today, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Joanne Goldstein are recognizing the importance of employment for people with disabilities, by visiting Transitions to Work, a program developed by a partnership of the Ruderman Family Foundation, Jewish Vocational Service, Combined Jewish Philanthropies, and Hebrew SeniorLife. The program is designed to help young adults with a disability across Greater Boston develop the skills they need to become contributing members of the workforce. After training, each participant will be matched with jobs at Hebrew SeniorLife or another area employer.

We’re delighted that the Governor and Secretary Goldstein have chosen to recognize Transition’s immense potential in this way and look forward to reporting in upcoming blogs how the first graduating class is doing on the job.

See below for the news release announcing the Governor’s visit.

– Jay Ruderman

GOVERNOR DEVAL PATRICK TO VISIT TRANSITIONS TO WORK PROGRAM

Partnership Trains Young People with Disabilities for Growing Job Sectors

BOSTON (February 13, 2012) — Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick will visit a model program on Thursday, February 16 that incorporates a new approach in job training for young people with disabilities: internships that feature skills development leading to job placement.

The Transitions to Work program, operated by Jewish Vocational Services in partnership with Combined Jewish Philanthropies and the Ruderman Family Foundation, is giving young people with disabilities the opportunity to learn skills in areas of need at Hebrew SeniorLife’s NewBridge on the Charles retirement community in Dedham, placing them on a path for employment either with Hebrew SeniorLife or other employers that have a need. The six participants currently involved in the program will graduate later in the month and a second session will begin on February 21st. Jewish young adults with a disability are encouraged to apply.

“Programs such as Transitions to Work empower our workforce while supplying employers with skilled, dedicated workers prepared to contribute to the Massachusetts economy,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “I am grateful to the collaborators for creating such an innovative program that will strengthen our workforce and give us the tools to compete in the global marketplace.”

Transitions to Work is a model for reducing the unemployment rate for people with disabilities, while also giving employers a growing pool of skilled applicants.  There are as many as 19,000 Jewish people with disabilities in theBostonarea who want or need to enter the workforce in the next five to 10 years.  Traditionally, vocational training for people with disabilities has had limited success because the training is not tailored for specific, high-demand jobs, making it difficult for trainees to compete in the marketplace.

“We are pleased to see how many people benefit from this program,” said Massachusetts Secretary of Labor & Workforce Development Joanne F. Goldstein. “This collaboration enhances every community and business served through developing a diverse and skillful workforce.”

An additional benefit of the program at Hebrew SeniorLife’s NewBridge campus is the opportunity for inter-generational contact and support between the seniors living there and the young adults being trained.

“Through this partnership, our Foundation is investing in an entirely new direction  in beginning to solve one of the Jewish community’s greatest challenge, which is the full inclusion of Jews with disabilities in our society, with employment as the linchpin,” said Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation.  “Just 25% of young adults with disabilities have the opportunity to work after high school, compared to almost 62% of young adults without disabilities. These numbers are an embarrassment and must be addressed.”

 “Hebrew SeniorLife is proud to be a lead partner with JVS and CJP on the Ruderman Family Foundation’s Young Adults Transition to Work Program,” said Len Fishman, CEO of Hebrew SeniorLife.  This trailblazing project has been a rewarding experience for all involved.  We are pleased to be able to provide the students with an opportunity to learn new and marketable skills as they transition into the workplace – both here at Hebrew SeniorLife and in the community.”

“The Ruderman Family Foundation has shown extraordinary vision and tenacity in effectively addressing issues that affect people with disabilities,” said Barry Shrage, president of CJP. “Transitions to Work is an incredible example of what we can achieve when CJP partners philanthropists with leading organizations in the Jewish community. Together, we’ve helped to create a new model that benefits both potential employees with disabilities and employers.”

 “JVS has been helping individuals with disabilities build their skills, overcome barriers, and gain employment for more than 70 years, said Jerry Rubin, President and CEO of JVS.  “This innovative partnership with Hebrew Senior Life, supported by the Ruderman Family Foundation and CJP, takes that work to a new level. It sets a new standard for public-private partnerships opening opportunities for those with disabilities.”

# # #

In a recent Boston Globe column, (January 29), Joan Vennochi brought us the story of James Nadworny, a young man with Down syndrome, who recently celebrated his 21^st birthday. While it was undoubtedly a wonderful occasion, it would bring him and his devoted family closer to the day when he turns 22, a milestone, to paraphrase Don McLean, when “the music died.”

In Massachusetts and in most states, people with disabilities and their families have been “happy for a while.”  People like James and my son, Jon, through the age of 22, are guaranteed an education but, unlike the majority of special education students, who will go on to college or careers, our children need additional supports to achieve the dreams and hopes we have for them.

“Bad news is on the doorsteps” because our children are entitled to nothing after their education ends.  Continuation of support depends entirely on the state budget process. The support that individuals with significant disabilities need to be successful is not adequately funded and the funding gets tougher every year.

I know. I have been advocating on behalf of persons with disabilities for over 30 years. I know our State House too well and I get tired of begging for a society to see the worth of our children and adequately fund the services they need and to pay the dedicated staff who work with them a living wage.

My son was lucky. He is 32 and when he turned 22, the economy was stronger and the political will to provide him the supports he needed was stronger. As a result, he received the support he needed to work and live independently.

James is turning 22 in the worst possible economic time and the hopes of his family, for him to live a full, productive and meaningful life, should be the hope all of us has for James.

– Jo Ann Simons

Those of you who’ve been following Zeh LeZeh over the months will recall the blog we posted about Shelhaveth’s new Jerusalem-based “Significant Other” program, one that reaches out to adults with disabilities and helps them prepare themselves for a loving relationship.

This article, which ran in the Jerusalem Post last week, features several participants in the workshop. It’s the impact this program has on their attitudes, their hopes and their dreams, that tells the story best. Their experience is a potent reminder of both the humanity we have in common and our sacred calling to make sure all of us can live up to our fullest potential.

– Jay Ruderman

Yoni’s face lit up as he described a challenging experience during Shutaf’s Hannukah inclusion camp in late December. “Yoni dealt with a child who was having a tough day and needed to be outside much of the day,” explains Moriah, a social work student and teen advisor. Daily meetings with Moriah and the rest of the teen staff cover strategies for coping with the stresses of a busy day working with 12 active and lively campers, ages 6-14, 75% of whom have some sort of special need. “He wanted to be outside…I also like being outside,” explains Yoni, continuing, “and I saw that it was good for him.”

Yoni, who is 17 and has special needs, is a member of the Shutaf Young Leadership and Ruderman Vocational Training Program in Israel. During the year, this inclusive group of teens – ages 16-21 – enjoys a variety of age-appropriate activities.  Yoni just started the personal safety and empowerment section of this year’s program with El Halev, an organization that specializes in self-defense training for women as well as special populations. In the spring, the teens will take part in a culinary training segment which will include planning, preparing, packaging and selling a food product – all important skills toward developing confident and capable young adults who can successfully navigate in the greater society.

His mother Susan is so pleased that he can take part in the program. “He’s learning and doing practical things and having a good time socially…nowhere else can he get these opportunities,” she remarked. She is delighted that Shutaf has taken an interest in teens with special needs, adding, “he’s pleased and proud to be a counselor.”

Shutaf’s Program Director, Elizabeth Corlin, detailed a conversation she had with El Halev’s trainer, Emouna. “She has already seen a difference in Yoni this year…He’s toughening up and learning how to say no as well as how to whack the heck out of the punching bag,” she said with a smile.” All important skills for this quiet, shy and thoughtful teen. He wanted, needed and deserved more than just going to school and not having social outlets as well as a way of preparing for his future.”

Creating opportunities, learning self-advocacy, making new friends, and feeling in charge of one’s life – in an atmosphere of inclusion and acceptance. For all Shutaf teens – with and without special needs – it’s a fantastic experience.

– Beth Steinberg

Much praise has been heaped on to Nordstrom’s and Target for their use of an adorable 6-year-old boy with Down syndrome in their ads and I want to add to the pile of attention they are receiving.

This comes on the heels of Toys ‘R’ Us and other retailers using children with disabilities in specifically designed catalogues targeting the special needs population, so it demonstrates great movement towards acceptance and increasing public awareness of a segment of our population that too often goes unnoticed.

I have waited too long.

In 1981, my adorable and arguably the cutest child with Down syndrome, was used in the print catalogue of my father’s family business-Simons Uniform Company, as a model for imprinted T-shirts.

I knew then that he belonged but, sadly it seems, it took over a quarter of a century for the big names to catch up with my family.

Now, that we have crashed through another ceiling of acceptance, my question to Nordstom’s and Target is this:  What are your hiring practices towards persons with disabilities? What percentage of your workforce are people with disabilities?  How many of them hold benefited positions? Are any of them in the executive office?

Qualified people with disabilities should not have another quarter of century to wait for these answers.

– Jo Ann Simons

Most travelers to Israel long for their visits to the Kotel, Masada, and to an authentic Israeli falafel stand. Members of the Tikvah Program at Camp Ramah in New England, a program for campers with developmental disabilities, can’t wait to visit and spend time with their special friends from the mishlochot. “Mishlochot,” Hebrew for “delegation” or “emissary,” refers to the 40 post-Army Israelis who come to camp each summer to serve as bunk counselors, teach swimming, boating, sports, ropes, nature, dance and singing and represent the many faces of Israel. In return, they bring a bit of American Jewry back to Israel. The delegation to Ramah New England returns home each year with so much more, including deep meaningful relationships, changed attitudes and a desire to work in Israel with a similar group of people.

Delegation leader Rotem, who also heads the waterfront, notes, “When I tell them about Tikvah before they leave for camp, they feel a little discomfort, they don’t really understand what I am talking about and have no idea how they will teach them. When they return home at the end of the summer, they have gained so much including a special bond and an ability to communicate and work uniquely with each camper.”

Swimming teacher Idan recalls happily, “For me, I loved the experience of teaching swimming to a group with lots of joy and pure love of life’s simple things, like water. They got so much satisfaction out of their time in the lake!” And Sivan speaks fondly of her work teaching drama and as a peer buddy to a member of the Tikvah vocational training program. “At first I was nervous about my drama classes with Tikvah. This soon became the most rewarding bright spot in my day. They really loved coming to drama! I also enjoyed my Shabbat special time with my buddy Sarah.  We had so much fun playing and talking and hearing about her love for Israel.” Sarah and members of the recent Tikvah Ramah Israel Program enjoyed seeing mishlochot friends during a recent trip to Israel — in their homes in Beit Shemesh, Yafo and Modiin, at the Kotel, and sharing meals together.

While it is hard to measure the impact of the experience, anecdotes abound.  Isaac “Buji” Herzog (current member of Knesset and former Minister of Welfare and Social Services, who addressed the recent ADVANCE conference) looks back fondly on his stint as a waiter at Camp Ramah in the 1970s, and has written about his work tutoring a girl in the Tikvah Program. “That experience taught me so much and contributed a great deal to my leadership skills and my desire to help disadvantaged populations,” he says. “This plays a large role in my work as a member of Israel’s current administration.”

– Howard Blas

Our foundation is extremely proud that the Ruderman Fellows Program, our initiative to educate members of Israel’s Knesset on the American Jewish community, has led to the creation of a new caucus announced this week in the Knesset on the connection between Israel and the American Jewish community.  A recent poll we commissioned shows that the Israeli public agrees that Israeli leaders should consider the views of the Diaspora when making policy. Click here to see the front-page Jerusalem Post story that ran this week.

 – Jay Ruderman

New Knesset Caucus to Address Widening Gap between Israel and American Jews

Jerusalem, January 23, 2012 – A poll sponsored by the Ruderman Family Foundation has found that 70.8% of Israelis surveyed think that it is important that legislators consider the Diaspora when deliberating on legislation like “Who is a Jew,” which sought to more narrowly define who in the Diaspora is Jewish and thereby qualifies for Israeli citizenship.  The new poll data makes even more timely an effort to heighten both the knowledge and sensitivity of Israel’s Members of Knesset about the American Jewish community.

A new Israel-American Jewish Knesset Caucus will be inaugurated on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, which will be focused on deepening the understanding and relevance of the relationship with the American Jewish community.  The Caucus will raise awareness among MKs, Knesset committees and lobbies concerning agendas and priorities of Israel and the American Jewish community.  The Ruderman poll, conducted by Teleseker (TNS) on January 19^th, found that 78.2% of Israelis polled believe that the establishment of the Knesset Caucus is an important initiative.

The vast majority (87.5%) of Israelis surveyed also believe that the American Jewish community is important to the future and security of the State of Israel. 

MK Ronit Tirosh (Kadima Party), Caucus Chairperson, launched the Caucus to ensure that this crucial relationship stays strong. “I came back from the Ruderman Fellows Program in the US last year with the understanding that Israelis in danger of losing one of its most critical strategic allies,” said MK Tirosh.  “As times change, and the US Jewish population becomes less engaged and less attached toIsrael, the bedrock of traditional US support of Israel becomes less of a certainty too.”  MK Tirosh was one of six MKs to participate in the first Ruderman Fellows Program in 2011, which was designed to educate MKs about the American Jewish community.

“Again and again, we see that the Jewish people are split into two camps – Israel and the Diaspora – that do not understand each other,” said Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation.  “The fact that the Knesset members are now willing to examine and address the shifting dynamics in the American Jewish world is a huge step for Israeli political leaders, and it will have a direct impact on the future of Israel and Jewish unity.”