A Neurodivergent-Affirming Bar Mitzvah
If there was one thing my student Joey wanted everyone to remember from his bar mitzvah, it was this: the Red Sox are the greatest baseball team in the world. This theme was clear from… Read More
B’nei Mitzvah
A Different Spirit: Essays on Accessible B’nei Mitzvah Published Feb. 2026
A first-of-its-kind anthology, A Different Spirit offers perspective and practical guidance to help pre-teens with neural or physical disabilities and challenges celebrate a joyful transition to Jewish adulthood. Read More
Isabella’s Bat Mitzvah: A Mother’s Reflections
By Cara Coller As I sat down to write this, for once in my life I was at a loss. Not at what to say, but how to express what it means to be Isabella’s… Read More
Our Spectrum
I have twin 14-year-old sons, Sam and Jack. Jack’s development is typical; Sam’s development began to shift when he was 18 months old. Read More
Reflections on a Special Bat 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
Making the Dream of a Jewish Coming-of-Age Possible
Over the years, I have had countless conversations with cautious parents, usually beginning with one tentative question: “Can my child have a bar/bat mitzvah?” Read More
A Bat Mitzvah Journey – a Tutor’s Perspective
“Amen”. Temana chanted beautifully, after reciting with confidence the blessings after the Torah. Read More
We All Lead. We All Follow.
My son, Holden, has been learning at Gateways since we moved to Boston six years ago. In preparation for his bar mitzvah, they sent home a pictorial version of his parsha (Tzav). Read More