Teacher Edna Sable uses an iPad to work with Ian Zerkel at Congregation Shaarey Zedek Religious School. "Opening the Doors provides grant money, training and guidance to bring a special educator (such as Sable) into our congregation to work individually with children with special needs, to get to know the students and their fami- lies personally, and to ensure that each child receives the appropriate attention necessary to succeed as a full member of his or her class" says Rabbi Aaron Starr, director of education and youth at Shaarey Zedek. Changing Attitudes Statistics show about 50 million Americans have special needs, rang- ing from learning disabilities to autism to physical challenges. While the American Disability Act, passed more than 20 years ago, lays out the goals to end discrimination in employment, to provide access to Vivian Henoch master's in special education working in public buildings and transportation, Special to the Jewish News 26 community congregational and day and to assure the means for inclusion schools with the support of Federation's in public education, ramps to build- ager to show how technol- Alliance for Jewish Education's (AJE's) ings and public policies don't replace ogy is opening doors for Opening the Doors Partnership Program. real engagement in the community. students learning Hebrew at Opening the Doors was able to pur- With the goal to raise awareness and Congregation Shaarey Zedek Religious chase eight iPads through a Federation- to navigate the journey of inclusion School, special educator Edna Sable allocated community grant. for all those with special needs in the unzips a sleek silver leather case and community, February is earmarked as opens her iPad. From iPad To "I Can" National Jewish Disability Awareness "We work with children with so Despite the late afternoon hour, Ian Month (JDAM). many individual needs, but I find that Zerkel of West Bloomfield, 11, was Now a national event in its fifth the iPad really opens eyes" she says. easily enticed from his seat at the table year, JDAM was founded by the Jewish "It's such a multi-sensory tool, provid- by an invitation to join Edna for a brief Special Education Consortium and ing interactive touch, sound, color and lesson using the iPad. promoted by the Jewish Federations of immediate feedback. The kids have "It's not too early to begin the study North America and their communities grown up in a world of digital media; for your bar mitzvah," Sable tells him. to provide opportunities for learning working on the iPad is second nature He agrees, and so they start with the and to recognize the need for inclusion to them" words for the Torah blessing. Word for people of all abilities and talents. Sable, a native of Ashdod, Israel, for word, Ian reads. Sable follows and In celebration of Jewish Disability spends long hours both as a full-time records. The lesson on the iPad meets Awareness Month, Opening the Doors teacher at Hillel Day School and as a with success for both student and is collaborating with partner agencies teacher. Ian's mother, Emma, looks on. part-time instructor at Shaarey Zedek, to spearhead the Detroit community's All are pleased. working with a wide diversity of stu- call to action to participate in a series In its 18th year, Opening the Doors dents and their families in the com- of special events, book discussions, munity. Passionate and energetic in her continues to grow, now serving the and programs for educators, parents, work, with 27 years of experience in the needs of more than 950 students in the teens and health practitioners. field, she is one of 24 teachers with a Metro Detroit Jewish community. "Our challenge doesn't begin and end with the month of February" says Ellen Maiseloff, director of special education Disability Month Events for Federation's Alliance. "However, • Opening the Doors hosts a viewing psychotherapist Michelle Miletic. JDAM gives us an opportunity to bring of the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie Sponsored by Opening the Doors our issues to light, increase understand- A Smile as Big as the Moon, 2 p.m. and Jewish Experience for Families. ing and provide resources with the Sunday, Feb. 10, Congregation Shaarey For parents of children pre-K ultimate goal to inspire, educate and Zedek, Southfield. Registration, 12:30 through high school. empower our community to recognize p.m.; program with author Mike the potential and contributions of our Kersjes and facilitator Cheryl Chodun, • "May I Have Your Attention Please: kids. 1:30 p.m. Dessert reception. How to Improve Your Working "After all, our mission is to enable Memory," an educational seminar our children with special needs to par- • "Kids Struggling? Parents Stressing? to demystify working memory ticipate in a Jewish education and to Learn Ways to Advocate and problems in students. Learn about provide that web of support" Empower you Kids," an informal practical accommodations and education parent seminar, will be research-based interventions from For information, contact Ellen Maiseloff, held 7-8:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 25, neuropsychologist Isabelle Beaulieu, (248) 205-2533 or email maiseloff@jfmd. Jewish Federation Building, Room from 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, org. Vivian Henoch provides editorial G, Bloomfield Township. Presenters Jewish Federation Building, Room F, content for Federation's myjewishdeteroit. are psychologist Daniel Klein and Bloomfield Township. com, where this story first appeared. Jewish Disabilities Month AJE's "Opening the Doors" program supports students with special needs. E ❑ ❑ 10 February 7 • 2013 JN Enjoy Jewish Films With Friends Feb. 16 See the film The Infidel at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at Congregation B'nai Moshe in West Bloomfield. Free and open to the com- munity. The Infidel was directed by Josh Appignanesi in 2010. Both Judaism and Islam are tossed around irreverently in this tongue-in-cheek British comedy with a big-hearted message that looks at what makes a good man. Mahmud Nasir is a loving husband, doting father and something of a relaxed Muslim. After his mother's death, Mahmud finds his birth certificate, which sends him tumbling headlong into a full-scale identity crisis. The only person he can turn to is Lenny, a drunken Jewish cabbie whose crash course in Judaism is more quirky than kosher. Historians To Discuss Jewry Before Holocaust The free program "European Jewry on the Eve of the Holocaust" will be presented at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, at the Holocaust Memorial Center Zekelman Family Campus, 28123 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills.. Three historians, Dr. Ken Waltzer (Michigan State University), Dr. Andrew Port (Wayne State University) and Dr. David Weinberg (Wayne State University), will explore the dynamics of politics, the relationship of Jewish citizens to the state, anti-Semitism, and central Jewish communities' attempts to maintain their vibrant religious and cultural life in pre-Holo- caust Europe. The event is co-sponsored by the Cohn- Haddow Center for Judaic Studies at WSU. For information, call (248) 553-2400. Free Income Tax Help Available In Ferndale The Oakland Neighborhood Tax Center, 1956 Hilton, Ferndale, is offering free income tax preparation services. Eligibility is based on annual income: up to $50,000 for families and up to $35,000 for individuals. Those who pay rent, property taxes or heat- ing bills but are not working may still be eli- gible for some tax credits. The center is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays noon-7 p.m., and Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Appointments are preferred at (313) 556-1920. The center is run by Accounting Aid Society and is open year-round. After the April 15 tax deadline, the center will focus on prior year taxes and amended returns. A new offering this year by Accounting Aid Society is a self-service option, with free online software, and a free tax hotline for those with incomes up to $57,000. For details, visit www.accountingaidsociety. org.