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A student sitting at a table in a classroom spinning a dreidel. Chocolate gelt is spread out on the table in front of him.

She’arim

at Gateways Accessible Hebrew School

She’arim (Hebrew for “Gateways,”) is our Accessible Hebrew School program for children ages 5 and up. Every Sunday, She’arim students enter a world of Jewish history, ritual, and experience tailored to their individual strengths and learning styles. All our Accessible Hebrew School students access individualized attention, differentiated instruction, and multisensory support.

Every Child Can Discover Joy
in Jewish Learning

In She’arim at Gateways’ Accessible Hebrew School,
we have three main goals for our students:

1. Build Skills
2. Develop Jewish Knowledge
3. Create Community

She’arim Students Benefit From:

Multisensory curriculum with holidays, Hebrew, Jewish stories and traditions

Small classes with Jewish special educators

1:1 support from trained teen volunteers

Group activities and t’fillot (prayer) services

Creative arts and musical enrichment

teen volunteer playing a game with two students

Explore a Typical Day at She’arim

In-person Accessible Hebrew School programming takes place on Sundays in the Greater Boston area. If you live outside of this area, read about our remote tutoring option here.

Arriving at Gateways’ Accessible Hebrew School

As students enter Gateways, they are greeted warmly by their teachers and teen volunteer aides. Together, they review a visual schedule clearly laying out the day’s activities, helping every student feel grounded and prepared to navigate the day. For some students, creating their own personalized visual schedule is part of the fun. Everyone participates in an arrival activity — whether a creative drawing, a fun game or brainteaser, or an engaging sensory experience—to ease them into the program and spark interest in the day’s theme. 

Arrival time is also an opportunity to build bonds. Through engaging activities, students naturally connect with one another and form lasting Jewish friendships. For many families, this connection is a primary goal for a Hebrew school experience. At Gateways, students find a warm and inclusive Jewish community, where they can learn, grow, and belong together. 

A Gateways student sitting in a wheelchair with neck support and holding a small stuffed animal on her lap. She is smiling brightly.

Opening Meeting

The teacher will start by bringing the group together and introducing the day’s theme. Each of these topics, spanning 1-3 class sessions, relates back to that particular year’s “big idea.” Our curriculum operates on a 3-year cycle, with the yearly big ideas of: 1) Torah, Prayer, and Acts of Kindness, 2) Jewish heroes and the book of Bereshit (Genesis), and 3) Jewish community, or kehillah, and the book of Shemot (Exodus).

With bright visuals and hands-on materials, the teacher breaks down the concepts in an accessible way, encouraging students to share their thoughts and questions. This is where the spark of Jewish learning begins! Every few sessions, we have a special extended opening meeting where we are joined by our music teacher. Through song, rhythm, and movement, students experience Jewish music in an environment that is joyful, interactive, and inclusive.

teacher showing a flashcard to her class

Activity Center: Jewish Text Study

Stories, History, and Traditions Come Alive

Next, it’s time for our interactive centers. These are designed to create multiple points of entry to our curriculum based on students’ learning styles, background knowledge, and interests. This ensures that every child can explore and connect with Jewish traditions in ways that are meaningful and accessible to them.  

In the Jewish Text Center, we dive into Jewish custom and history, practicing Jewish rituals and stepping back in time to explore stories from our rich tradition — whether it’s Biblical moments or tales of modern Jewish heroes. This station gives all our students the opportunity to connect with their heritage through different media. 

A young girl sits at a table with two teen volunteers. One teen holds an AAC tablet in a blue case as the girl interacts with it, smiling. The other teen and the girl are also smiling, engaged in the activity together. Educational materials and a pencil are on the table.

Activity Center: Arts and Crafts

Creativity with a Jewish Twist

Students unleash their creativity through projects that connect to Jewish themes and explore the sights, textures, and symbols of Jewish life in a hands-on, memorable way. Whether it’s sculpting a clay mezuzah, designing a tzedakah box, or creating sensory-rich holiday crafts, each activity helps bring Jewish traditions to life in a way that is engaging and personal.

A group of three students and a teen volunteer sitting in a semicircle around a table. Each student has a plastic tray with some paper and paint on it in front of them. A teacher sits across the table directing the activity.

Activity Center: Hebrew and Prayer

Personalized and Accessible for Every Learner 

At the heart of our program is the understanding that each child learns at their own pace and in their own way. During Hebrew time, learning is completely individualized, with options tailored to meet your child’s specific needs. Some students may dive into our Hebrew Decoding Program, while others benefit from our Sight Word Program. Our experienced team will also program prayers and Hebrew into AAC devices for students who use that technology to communicate. No matter the pathway, every child can connect to Hebrew and Jewish prayer. 

A young boy sits at a table with a teen volunteer, a binder open on the table in front of them on a page with Hebrew text. The teen volunteer points at something on the page as the student follows along, engaged and smiling.

Closing & Dismissal

At pick up, you’ll be met by your child and their teen volunteer(s), who will review how the day went. The volunteers will pass along a letter from the classroom teacher detailing what was covered in the session and previewing the topic for next session. This way, you’re always in the loop, and any important information flows smoothly between families and program staff. We believe that strong communication ensures the best possible experience for students and their families. 

A young student wearing blue glasses sits at a table between two teen volunteers. There are educational materials on the table in front of them and all three are smiling for a photo.

Discover What’s Possible

TAGG student and teen volunteers practicing placing the candles in the menorah as they learn about Hanukkah.
a TAGG student, holding up a large magnifying glass, smiles as a teen volunteer and teacher sitting on either side of the student look at him, smiling
teacher showing a flashcard to her class
volunteer sitting next to a student
A young student smiling and holding up a "lulav" made out of a paper towel roll and green tissue paper.
student and teacher holding Torah
volunteers and student using the Gateways Hebrew Program
student and volunteer smiling looking at binder
A group of three students and a teen volunteer sitting in a semicircle around a table. Each student has a plastic tray with some paper and paint on it in front of them. A teacher sits across the table directing the activity.
student and volunteer gluing something together
student and volunteer learning Hebrew
Student and two teen volunteers smiling at the camera
volunteers and student making matzah
A student sitting between two teen volunteers, who are holding up materials for her to review. All three are smiling.
4 Tagg students sitting at a table with a teen volunteer
TAGG student and teen volunteers practicing placing the candles in the menorah as they learn about Hanukkah.
a TAGG student, holding up a large magnifying glass, smiles as a teen volunteer and teacher sitting on either side of the student look at him, smiling
teacher showing a flashcard to her class
volunteer sitting next to a student
A young student smiling and holding up a "lulav" made out of a paper towel roll and green tissue paper.
student and teacher holding Torah
volunteers and student using the Gateways Hebrew Program
student and volunteer smiling looking at binder
A group of three students and a teen volunteer sitting in a semicircle around a table. Each student has a plastic tray with some paper and paint on it in front of them. A teacher sits across the table directing the activity.
student and volunteer gluing something together
student and volunteer learning Hebrew
Student and two teen volunteers smiling at the camera
volunteers and student making matzah
A student sitting between two teen volunteers, who are holding up materials for her to review. All three are smiling.
4 Tagg students sitting at a table with a teen volunteer

Learn More — Accessible Hebrew School

Student and teen volunteer reading together at a table

Enrollment

Read More
A student and teen volunteer sitting on exercise balls in a hallway and learning together.

Class Calendar

Read More
A tutor giving a B'nei Mitzvah student a high five as they practice together.

F.A.Q

Read More

Start Your Gateways Journey

Think the Gateways Accessible Hebrew School might be a good fit for your child? Want to learn more about She’arim? Send us a message to start your Gateways journey today!

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