Special Needs

In only its 2^nd year, the Dallas Yachad chapter has been off to a great start! Yachad is dedicated to addressing the needs of all individuals with disabilities and including them in the Jewish community. Yachad members participate in several inclusive activities and meets once a month. Highlights include games, learning programs, sports and trips. Last year, Dallas Yachad hosted a community awareness Shlock Rock concert with over 300 attendees. Dallas Yachad is open to children with special needs between the ages of 9-20 and volunteers in 8^th-12^th grade.

This year, Dallas Yachad sponsored the first annual Special Needs Family Day In conjunction with the Special Needs Initiative of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas and Jewish Family Service the program included speakers, presentations and resource information for families in the Jewish community who have a member with special needs. The day was full of programming and activities for everyone in the family! The keynote address was delivered by psychologist, Dr. Jeff Lichtman, national director of Yachad and noted expert on the special needs community. Additionally, participants choose breakout sessions from a wide variety of topics such as “The Challenge of Autism & Asperger’s Syndrome: How to Respond Effectively,” “ADHD and Other Challenging Behaviors,” “Understanding and Responding to Our Special Children’s Sexuality” and “the Legal and Financial Planning for Children with Special Needs.” The day was attended by over 200 people!

For more information on services for individuals with special needs, please see www.jfsdallas.org and www.dallasspecialneeds.org .

For more information about Yachad (www.njcd.org) , please contact Rabbi Jay Weinstein at jw15@aol.com or 972-661-0127.

Community Partners

Congregation Shaare Tefilla Shaare Tefilla is an OU synagogue with 200 member families. Led by Rabbi Ari Perl, Shaare is known for its friendly and relaxed atmosphere, its outst... Read more

Akiba Academy (Infant-8th grade) Located on the new and magnificent Schultz Rosenberg Campus, Akiba offers its students a first-rate academic program of Judaic and general studies, ut... Read more

Yavneh Academy (9th-12th grade) Founded in 1992, Yavneh Academy of Dallas seeks to provide its students with a superior, dynamic, Judaic and secular education. Yavneh embraces a Tora... Read more

DALLAS BUSINESSWATCH

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