Thank You, Teachers
There are many educators in my family, and one thing I know is when we get to this time of year, teachers (and students!) are counting a different kind of Omer – the Omer of… Read More
Blog
Shtisel and the Triumph of Choice
In this week’s video message, I share some thoughts inspired by the third season of Shtisel (don’t worry, no spoilers!) and show how they speak to Gateways’ mantra: that inclusion is about the triumph of… Read More
My Favorite Part of the Haggadah
One passage from the Haggadah that is resonating with me this Passover is the Four Children… from the Rav (Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik), to Rabbi Miriam Spitzer, to Gateways Haggadah author Rebecca Redner, there are… Read More
Questions We’re Asking this Passover
With Passover coming up, I’ve been thinking a lot about the meaning of the word “Seder.” In our Gateways Haggadah, we learn that “Seder means ‘order’ in Hebrew. We call the Passover celebration a Seder because… Read More
What I’m Binge-Watching for Inspiration
This week, as many of us are marking the one year anniversary of when life as we knew it changed drastically, I share with you one particular “binge-watch” that has gotten me through tough days… Read More
Reflections on a Special Bar Mitzvah
October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and in the spirit of the time, I have been reflecting on my lovely 19-year-old daughter Ashley, and one of the most memorable days in her childhood, her… Read More
Finding Strength in Times of Transition
This week, the transition from the end of 2020 to the beginning of 2021 has coincided with a transition in the reading of the Torah, as we finish one book and begin the next. In… Read More
Speaking Publicly About My Disability
The first occasion where I spoke publicly about my personal journey of navigating our world with severe hearing loss was a life-defining moment that led me to where I am today at Gateways. Read More
Easing the Cycle of Anxiety
When anxiety increases, executive functioning decreases. Read More
How to Make Your Seder More Inclusive
During most Seders, parents of children with disabilities may struggle to balance the needs of their child with the expectations of a large and lengthy family Seder. Read More