St. Louis Council for Jews with Special Needs

Report from the Public Forum November, 2002

Over 20 people attended the public forum meeting in November. Attending the meeting were parents, grandparents, educators, a rabbi, and representatives from Jewish agencies. The question the group was asked to answer was simply, “What do you think needs to happen in the Jewish Community for people with Special Needs?” The following is a list of topics that were raised by the participants.

• Social events for individuals and families with disabilities
• Affordable housing, with Jewish flavor under the auspices of Jewish Agency
• Education of the Jewish population what our needs are
• Programming for all ages so children can advance throughout the groups
• Speak to the rabbis to bring their interest and involvement
• Parent Support Groups
• Forming BBYO groups and attending BBYO group activities
• Convince congregations to allow young adults into their community
• Form separate group to attend Jewish Youth Groups that exist in community
• Provide programming that represents all branches of Judaism
• Appropriate programming for all levels of disabilities

The Public Forum was planned by the St. Louis Council for Jews with Special Needs. Two events were planned and will be held at Congregation Neve Shalom in December:
Chanukah Party on December 7, 2002 at 6:30 to ? for families with special needs

Planning Meeting for the Council of Jews with Special Needs December 14, 2002 from 4:00 – 5:30

-- submitted by Betty Berger