Special Needs Jewish Ed

The needs of learners of all ages vary. Doorways, Adath Israel’s award-winning resource center and individualized education plans, helps students thrive and grow.

• What is Doorways? The Doorways program ensures that all Jewish learners have access to a meaningful Jewish education regardless of the diversity of their learning needs and challenges by building on years of work in the development of educational strategies, methods, and programs in special needs.
• Who are the students that would benefit from the Doorways programs? The philosophy and goals of the Adath Israel Religious School, including the Doorways program, is that ALL Jewish learners will feel secure and comfortable to fully participate in Jewish Life cycle events, holidays, and rituals regardless of physical, sensory, intellectual, and/or emotional/behavioral challenges.
• How does Doorways work? Families, along with our education team, including the Rabbi/Educational Director, the Doorways coordinator, and the head teacher meet together, and if desired with the student to discuss and identify an appropriate educational program for each student, considering a class setting, a pull-out program, or individual instruction.
• Which teaching options are available for the student? The Doorways program is flexible. Teaching may include using graphic, manipulative, and/or creative arts, as well as by the use of technology, audio-visual, and multi-sensory methods.

The Doorways program is available to any family seeking a meaningful Jewish education for their student. At this time, membership in the congregation is not required. We can work to accommodate most students who, at present, do not receive these services.

For more information, contact Rabbi Adler at 609-896-4977

Learn more about the Doorways program, including the 25 years of specialized, award-winning learning experiences at the synagogue. Endorsements also available.

View article and video (In Faith Communities and Disability-Video mentions Adath Israel)

• View and Print BINA Best Practices Newsletter for Special Needs Jewish Education volume 7 issue 3 (.docx)
• View and Print BINA Best Practices Newsletter for Special Needs Jewish Education volume 7 issue 3 (.pdf)
• View and Print BINA Best Practices Newsletter for Special Needs Jewish Education volume 7 issue 2 (.pdf)
• View and Print BINA Best Practices Newsletter for Special Needs Jewish Education volume 5 issue 1(.pdf)
• View and Print BINA Best Practices Newsletter for Special Needs Jewish Education volume 4 issue 2(.pdf)
• View and Print BINA Best Practices Newsletter for Special Needs Jewish Education August 2010 (.doc)

View short video that highlights the wonderful work of the Congregation Adath Israel Resource room in Lawrenceville, NJ. (duration 3:25 mins)