Nes Gadol ( A Great Miracle)
Because Every Jewish Child Deserves
a Jewish Education
Age 9 & Up – B’nei Mitzvah class: My Life As A Blessing!Staff includes Rabbi, Cantor, Art and Music Therapists, Drama Specialist, Behaviorists and volunteers. Children of all abilities welcome.
A Cutting Edge, Multi-Sensory, Creative, Dynamic Jewish Learning Program Designed for Children on the Autism Spectrum and with other Special Needs. Children of All Abilities are welcome!
Nes Gadol means Great Miracle. The Nes Gadol Program is a cutting edge, experiential, multi-sensory program designed to provide participants with autism spectrum disorder and other special needs access to a meaningful and joy-filled Jewish educational experience.
Together participants celebrate Jewish holidays and life cycle events as well as explore Jewish concepts, values, traditions and stories.
They, along with their families, create a community of friends with whom they can truly celebrate Jewish life through communal B’nei Mitzvah celebrations, sharing special Shabbat and holiday celebrations, and participating in Tikkun Olam activities.
Regardless of level of ability, highly verbal and non-verbal, the program focuses on the strengths and abilities of each child.
The common goal is for our students to have an accessible Jewish education which allows them to actively participate in Jewish life – both in an adapted Jewish environment and in the Jewish mainstream.
The class is safe, accepting, and nurturing for all students and designed to connect families with each other inside and outside of class.
Founded on the principles of The Miracle Project, each class uses music, movement, drama, storytelling and discussion – giving students multiple channels of learning and sharing, making Jewish education meaningful and accessible to all.
Directed by Elaine Hall, Founder of The Miracle Project, Nes Gadol is headed by Rabbi Jackie Redner, Rabbi / Chaplain / Jewish Educator for Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services.
Our Classes
Age 6 – 8 year old class: My Life as a Celebration!
Celebrating Jewish time as we travel through the seasons and their corresponding holidays is the focus of our program for 6 – 8 year olds. Students participate in rituals and customs, interactive story-telling and music for each holiday (including Shabbat.)
Over a period of two years – age 6 – 8, using a multi-sensory approach to Jewish learning, along with individual student mentors, students will receive a foundation of Jewish tradition and will be introduced to Hebrew letters. Those who are interested will learn to read Hebrew. Guided by their older peers and staff, students become acclimated to the synagogue and familiar with its special places. Students of all abilities welcome!
Age 9 & Up – B’nei Mitzvah class: My Life As A Blessing!
B’nei Mitzvah study is the focus of this class – preparing students to participate in the ritual of standing on the beemah, before G-d and the Jewish community and proudly claiming their place as an adult in the People Israel!
Although celebration of holidays and simchas continue as well as learning Hebrew, the emphasis here is preparation for the B’nei Mitzvah ceremony – Torah Blessings, reading from the Torah, being a prayer leader, and deepening one’s spiritual connection to Judaism and G-d (however the student understands this).
Studies are presented in both an individualized manner and in a group setting making it both a personal and meaningful experience for each student. Students of all abilities welcome!
Confirmation Life- Long Learning Class: My Life As a Mensch!
Geared for students who have completed their B’nei Mitzvah studies, this class focuses on the process of transformation from child to young adult – and the meaning of being a “Mensch” in the midst of that process.
Jewish learning sessions are specifically geared towards adolescence – students’ maturing minds, confusing feelings, changing bodies and relationships – all based in Jewish texts, traditions and rituals. Students continue to develop their leadership capacity, assisting their younger B’nei Mitzvah peers and being of service to the community as prayer leaders, helpers and guides in the services in Vista’s Temple. Students of all abilities welcome!
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Additional Programs and Services:
Vista Del Mar’s, Nes Gadol program seeks to serve the Jewish community by providing numerous avenues of collaboration and partnership:
Bar/Bat Mitzvah packages: Several different Bar/Bat Mitzvah packages have been created to accommodate the needs of both individual families and synagogues.
The Moses – Aaron Cooperative Program is available to come to your synagogue or community. If you know of a Jewish non-verbal autistic child who types, please refer them to our program.
Consulting: Nes Gadol Program Director and Rabbi are available to consult with clergy, religious school staff, students, and parents regarding Jewish education for youth with special needs.
Private Tutoring Available
Numerous Volunteer Opportunities Available