Moses – Aaron
The Moses – Aaron Cooperative is an hour long program which uses live presentation, Q & A, video, music, and storytelling to help audiences enter into the world of our brothers and sisters with autism who are non-verbal and receive their wisdom.
“Talking is nearly impossible for me. Thinking is not.
If I try to speak… will you try to believe that I can think? …
I am quiet verbally but my index finger can point to letters and type.
In this way, I am a free soul. I can communicate my ideas.”
14 year old, Ido Kedar – a Moses and Aaron Participant
Why the Name?
In the Torah, Moses had a difficult time with words – with speech – with speaking, and thus needed Aaron, his brother, to be his “voice.” Several Nes Gadol * students and their peers who are on the autism spectrum and are non-verbal, identify strongly with Moses and his predicament. It is their journey to share what is inside of them which inspired the creation of The Moses – Aaron Cooperative.
Your synagogue’s participating teens will become the Aarons for this program – providing their voices to share the words on their non-Verbal peers. The two groups will have the opportunity to meet and develop relationships prior to the program. They will also have the opportunity give their input as to the program’s design for your synagogue/school/organization.
The Purpose
The Moses – Aaron Cooperative seeks to ease the marginalization of those with autism (particularly, those who are non-verbal) within the Jewish and larger community, by providing them with an “Aaron” to share their words, and a framework and forum within which to share them.
Additional Program Information:
Nes Gadol (The Great Miracle) is a Jewish Learning program for children and young adults with special needs at Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services in Los Angeles.
This program is directed by Elaine Hall who is featured in the award winning documentary film,“Autism: The Musical” and author of Now I see the Moon: A Mother, A Son, A Miracle.
The Moses – Aaron Cooperative was created by Rabbi Jackie Redner and is currently the subject of documentary filmmaker, Amy Duzinski Janes.(As Seen Through These Eyes, Beyond the Chair, & Kaziah the Goat Woman).
If you would like The Moses – Aaron Cooperative to come to your community, please contact Rabbi Jackie Redner at JackieRedner@vistadelmar.org or (310) 836-1223 ext. 209