Frequently-Asked Questions
Gateways Accessible Hebrew School
General F.A.Q: Gateways’ Accessible Hebrew School
She’arim begins at age 5 and provides children with an introduction to and a basis for learning about Jewish holidays and values. Many families decide to enroll their child at age five; others wait to begin the program when the time feels right for their child’s learning situation.
The B’nei Mitzvah Program is a two-year program. We recommend that students enroll two years before their anticipated b-mitzvah date.
Mitzvah Mensches is our social action youth group for teens ages 13+ who have already had their b’neit mitzvah.
Gateways provides programming to a diverse group of students whose families have chosen a highly individualized, adapted setting for their child’s Jewish education for various reasons. The curriculum is tailored to meet the needs of students with a range of academic, communication, physical, and social-emotional skills. This includes students with a wide range of support needs and diagnoses, such as autism, learning disabilities, ADHD, intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health challenges, physical disabilities, and more. Please reach out to us if you have any questions about whether Gateways programs are the appropriate fit for your child. Our goal is to work with each family to determine the best environment for their child’s Jewish educational journey, whether that is a synagogue program, the Gateways program, or a combination of the two.
Our teachers all have formal training in education and/or special education and experience working with children with disabilities and diverse learning needs.
We will accept a student mid-year, provided that we have space in the class and an appropriate tutor available.
Classes typically have between five and eight students. Each class is run by a highly qualified teacher, and each student is also supported by either one or two designated teen volunteers. Additional teen volunteers act as floaters in each classroom, and are ready to provide additional support as needed. Additionally, a behavioral specialist and/or the Accessible Hebrew School Director are on site.
Teens who wish to be volunteers go through a competitive application process that includes writing an essay, submitting a letter of recommendation and participating in a face-to-face interview. We select teens who have experience with children, experience with individuals with disabilities and diverse learning needs, and who demonstrate that they can make a commitment to consistently attending the program itself and weekly teen training sessions.
No. Gateways is not affiliated with any movement, and we welcome families from all branches of Judaism.
We know that maintaining a connection with a synagogue is important, and we work with clergy and education directors to help coordinate learning and continued participation in synagogue events. We also encourage families to attend services and other synagogue activities in order to remain an active part of the synagogue community.
Additionally, some students attend Gateways on Sundays and participate in their synagogue’s after-school Hebrew school programming during the week. This allows them to maintain a connection with their synagogue and their peers. Gateways is happy to support our students at their home synagogues and to work with synagogue educators to help create a successful learning environment.
Gateways exists to ensure that families of children with disabilities and diverse learning needs have a range of choices about where their children can receive a rich and meaningful Jewish education. Some students are able to find this in their home synagogue, and we will support a synagogue in developing a program that meets that child’s needs because we believe that it is important that children with a range of learning needs have the option of being educated alongside their peers at their synagogue’s religious school. In our Center for Professional Learning, Gateways works with religious schools across the country to provide professional development and support services so that educators have the tools and confidence to engage students with a range of learning needs.
However, not every synagogue is able to meet every child’s needs and not all families are members of a synagogue. Therefore, we offer families the option of a learning experience that is built around the needs of children with disabilities and learning differences. Families may choose to enroll their children in Gateways for a variety of reasons, including the background and skills of our educators, our community of families who have experiences similar to their own, and our supportive environment where their children are fully embraced.
Gateways has successfully used a special method to teach students with a wide range of abilities how to decode Hebrew. We have even taught Hebrew to students who have not yet learned how to read English! This method helps students to learn the sounds of each letter and vowel using a system of mnemonic tricks and visual cues, allowing them to learn how to read prayers using symbols and sight words. Hebrew at Gateways is taught with a focus on decoding, so that students can learn how to read prayers and Torah. Our program does not focus on conversational Hebrew. Read more about our Hebrew decoding curriculum here.
Students who are learning Hebrew are encouraged to review their flash cards and reading pages at least three times a week for 20 minutes. We provide parents with homework schedules and detailed directions about how to review our materials so they feel empowered to help their children at home.
Gateways’ employees and volunteers will make reasonable efforts to implement a range of strategies, including but not limited to the least-restrictive-to-most-effective approach, to promote a child’s safety while participating in programming, and to preserve the safety, security, and dignity of all Gateways participants, volunteers and staff. In accordance with applicable Massachusetts regulations (603 CMR 46.03), physical restraint shall be used only in emergency situations of last resort, after other lawful and less intrusive alternatives have failed or been deemed inappropriate, and with extreme caution. To read our entire policy on prompting and behavior management, please click here.
F.A.Q: Gateways’ B’nei Mitzvah Program
Yes! With the proper support, all Jewish children, regardless of ability, can receive their birthright of a Jewish education and find their place as full adult members of the Jewish community.
Gateways can work with you and your synagogue to either adapt your synagogue’s typical service to allow your child to participate meaningfully or build a new service around your child’s needs. Some common ways of making services more accessible for children who have difficulty participating include shortening the service, incorporating additional music, and creating opportunities for them to move around and take breaks.
If your child is non-speaking, there are several meaningful ways that they can recite prayers and participate in services. Some students may learn to recite prayers using sign language, while others lead prayers using dedicated electronic communication devices or communication apps. Students can also actively participate in parts of the service that do not require speech, such as opening and closing the ark, carrying the Torah, and dressing and undressing the Torah.
Many synagogues allow people to use electronic AAC devices and electric wheelchairs on Shabbat in order to communicate and participate in services. However, for more observant Jews, the use of an electric wheelchair on Shabbat can be problematic. In these cases, a person can use or be pushed in a manual wheelchair. As another option, a b-mitzvah can always be scheduled for a Rosh Chodesh (the celebration for a new month), or on a Monday or Thursday, when the Torah will be read but there is no restriction on the use of electronics.
No. Although 12 or 13 is the minimum age at which one can become b-mitzvah, there is no upper limit. Many children who have learning challenges choose to have their b’nei mitzvah at an age later than 13 to allow additional time for learning and to ensure that the experience will be a meaningful one.
If you are not receiving the support you feel you need from your synagogue, contact Gateways. We are experienced at guiding clergy and other educators through the process of working with children with disabilities and their families and can coordinate with your family and your synagogue to create and implement a roadmap to success.
The Gateways Hebrew Program has been revolutionary in enabling students with a wide range of abilities to successfully decode Hebrew. The multisensory method helps students to learn the sounds of each letter and vowel using a system of mnemonic tricks and visual cues.
Although many of our students learn how to decode Hebrew, there are also some who do not. We have a variety of alternate paths for students and families who may have different needs and priorities. Some students learn to read prayers using symbols and sight words. Some learn to use augmentative alternative communication devices to lead prayers. And others work on practical skills or focus on a particular area of interest such as Jewish history, art, literature, or law. Every student receives an individualized program of study tailored to their interests and abilities.
If you are interested in joining a synagogue, Gateways staff can suggest temples in your area that may be a good fit for your family. We can also connect you to Gateways families who attend different synagogues. If you do not wish to join a synagogue, Gateways can help you find clergy who work privately and will create a personalized bar/bat mitzvah service for you and your child.
Yes! We offer remote b’nei mitzvah tutoring during the week, and can provide consultation to families and synagogues who would like guidance as they prepare young adults with disabilities for b’nei mitzvah. An experienced educator can provide both ideas and materials for creating a meaningful educational experience and milestone event. Contact us to let us know how we can meet your needs.
Yes. Often students will work with us over the summer to prevent “summer slide” by reviewing the skills that they have been learning during the year. Summer tutoring sessions are each 45 minutes in length and can be arranged at times that are convenient for both the family and tutor. Some students attend every week over the summer, while others meet with tutors only once or twice. We will be in touch with families in the spring to determine what summer arrangements will work best for you and your child.
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