My house shall be a house of prayer for all peoples. (Isaiah 56:7)
No one is more welcome at Congregation Or Ami than you!
Access to Judaism for families and children with special needs has been a hallmark of Congregation Or Ami since Rabbi Paul Kipnes first joined our 
congregation in our second year of existence. The first policy he asked to be put in place was clear and simple:
"Any child of a member who works to the best of his/her ability has the right to a Jewish educational experience. Also, any child of a member who works to the best of his/her ability has the right and privilege to become a Bar/Bat Mitzvah at Congregation Or Ami."
Today, access involves such things as individualized bar and bat mitzvah training for children with special needs, support group for parents of children with special needs, large-print prayer books, an Education Intern who acts a liaison for special needs families within the Mishpacha program, and increasing sensitivity to the scope of needs within each community.
In conjunction with the Union for Reform Judaism's Department of Jewish Family Concerns and the Jewish Federation/Valley Alliance's Mercaz Center (one-stop program for Jewish families with children with special needs and developmental disabilities), Congregation Or Ami strives to create and enhance inclusive environments and accessible spaces to ensure that everyone is included. Every congregant has a right to a rich Jewish life in a welcoming environment.
Many families with children who have special needs or challenges struggle to find a home in the Jewish community. We say: you are not alone. Congregation Or Ami, our Rabbi Paul Kipnes and Cantor Doug Cotler and our Reform Jewish movement, welcome you. Congregation Or Ami is already proud to be a home congregation for many individuals and families with special needs, and we welcome you to share in the warmth of our community. We invite you to begin a conversation with Rabbi Kipnes to share your hopes or questions about being a family with special needs at Or Ami.
You may be wondering about…
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Services : Because you have been blessed with this child, we at Or Ami strive to ensure that the Bar/Bat Mitzvah experience is welcoming to all members of your family. Your child will have a REAL Bar/Bat Mitzvah service! Rabbi Kipnes, Cantor Cotler and our B'nai Mitzvah Teacher Diane Townsend work with each family to create an individualized learning process and a service which takes advantage of your child's unique gifts. You all will participate fully in the service, from the ceremony of passing Torah down through the generations to standing up at the Torah during the aliyah (Torah blessing) to the opportunity to bless your child. Our creativity allows your child to shine during your simcha (joyous moment). We invite you to begin a conversation with Rabbi Kipnes about your family’s questions about Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
Educating Children : Families with children with special needs may be especially interested in our Mishpacha Family Alternative Learning Program. (Mishpacha means "family" in Hebrew.) An alternative to our wonderful Monday-Wednesday drop-off Religious School, our Mishpacha program allows parents and children to study together twice monthly on Sunday mornings. Often adults spend time alone with Rabbi Kipnes while children learn in multi-grade groupings with our fine faculty. Everyone learns the same material at age-appropriate levels. Then parents and children interact through projects, games, trials and round robin activities to explore the beauty of Judaism. This program is especially helpful for families with a child with special needs as it allows for greater individualized attention and the presence of a parent onsite ensures that your child has the additional support he/she needs to find success. Additionally, one of our Mishpacha Coordinators will call you before each session to review the day's plan, to determine how best your child's needs are accomodated, and, if necessary, to come up with suggestions of how the lesson plan can be altered to meet your child's needs. We invite you to learn more about Mishpacha program or email our Mishpacha Coordinators Laura Siegel and Rebekah Stern. You may also want to learn about our Religious School and/or our Temple Teen Nights and/or email our Principal Michal Rozenberg-Yalovsky.
Support Group for Parents with Children with Special Needs : Gathering once or twice a month, this group brings parents together to share ideas, resources and support related to raising a child with special needs. Supervised childcare provides you with peace of mind as your child is taken care of elsewhere in the synagogue. You can sit back, find support, gather resources, and enjoy the blessing of being part of a Jewish community that "gets it!" We invite you to begin a conversation with Michael Kaplan (Or Ami past president and support group founder) to learn more about the Support Group.
Learning More about Judaism : Without pressure, we invite you (whether you are Jewish or not) to enjoy our programs and classes. Adult learning activities occur throughout the year and include weekly study sessions, monthly brunches or book groups, evening programs and Shabbat seminars. We invite you to learn more about upcoming Adult learning opportunities or to email Michal Rozenberg-Yalovsky who coordinates our Adult Learning.
