FEBRUARY 18 • 2021 | 15

OUR COMMUNITY

I

nclude. Empower. Educate. 
The year-round motto of 
the JCC’s Special Needs 
Department is particularly aus-
picious this month, as February 
is Jewish Disability Advocacy 
and Inclusion Month (JDAIM). 
This initiative, powered by the 
Jewish Federations of North 
America, shines a spotlight on 
education, solidarity-building 
and empowerment in support 
of people with special needs. 
In the midst of a pandemic, 
advocacy and solidarity have 
never been more crucial. We are 
fortunate to live in a commu-
nity with a JCC that is blazing 
trails for these families, pro-

viding much needed resources 
both in the classroom and out 
in the world.
The JCC of Metro Detroit 
has two departments — the 
Special Needs Department and 
Opening the Doors — that 
work toward that goal year-
round, providing a world of 
activities, education, inclusion 
and friendship, with curated 
and highly trained staff. 
“There is an urgent need to 
provide consistent learning, and 
social and emotional support, 
especially during these uncer-
tain times, to children with 
diverse needs and abilities,
” says 
Ellen Maiseloff, senior director 

of Opening the Doors. “We 
want them to continue to be 
included and engaged success-
fully in their Jewish education 
classrooms, whether virtual or 
in-person, along with oppor-
tunities to interact with their 
peers.
”
The JCC of Metro Detroit’s 
Special Needs Department, 
led by Director Dr. Stephanie 
Zoltowski, offers year-round 
activities for kids through adult-
hood, including social groups, 
JCC Day Camps summer camp, 
break camps, physical activity, 
family fests and more.
“Our main approach is com-
munity inclusion and holistic 
services,
” Zoltowski says. “We 
look at the whole family from 
every angle — the child with 
special needs, programs that 
help the parents, activities 
for siblings. We help them at 
school, we support and encour-
age mental health and indepen-
dence. We try to cover all the 
bases.
”
In addition to summer 

How JCC Detroit is honoring Jewish Disability 
Advocacy and Inclusion Month all year.

 Advocacy Always,
 Inclusion Indubitably

continued on page 16

LYNNE KONSTANTIN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

Celebrating with 
the Spirit of Detroit 
– pre-pandemic.

LIZZ CARDWELL

