1. Groundbreaking Inclusion in our Community A Vision
Temple Shalom of Newton

2. Mission Statement To advance Temple Shalom’s groundbreaking work in
inclusive Jewish education, programming, and worship,
and to support the community as it fulfills its promise
of being a home to all.
Temple Shalom
of Newton

3. Vision: A Jewish preschool for all of our children
Temple Shalom
of Newton

4. Nursery School Program
Now:
9 identified children with learning differences (13%)
1 special education aide provided
Trained specialists, including speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists, visit classrooms
Specialized teacher training prior to start of school year
Vision: Welcoming every child to our inclusive, supportive program
Special educator on preschool staff
All staff fully trained in social pragmatics curriculum with ongoing support throughout academic year
Increased opportunity for individualized support for students with intensive needs
Temple Shalom
of Newton

5. Vision: Accessible Jewish education for all learners
Story of Ryan & the 6th grade retreat:
Each year we take our 6th graders away to camp for a retreat. At the retreat we work to build community and celebrate Shabbat together in an inclusive Jewish environment. In the past, Temple Shalom was unable to accomodate children with specific inclusion needs. With the addition of an inclusion coordinator to our staff, Temple Shalom now has the capacity to work with families and bring children away with us on retreat who historically have not been able to attend. Specifically - this photo is of Ryan, a sixth grader with a seizure disorder. In order to attend our retreat she needed medical support and a carefully planned sleeping environment. With financial support from the congregation, we were able to hire the right personnel and ensure Ryan could join her peers at Camp Eisner. The retreat was a huge success and Ryan was able to attend and be included with the group in every way throughout the weekend.
Temple Shalom
of Newton

6. SHACHARIT Education Program (K-6)
Now:
As many as 30% of students with learning differences
2 special educators part-time on staff
6 teaching assistants paid as 1:1 aides for students with more complex needs
Part-time inclusion coordinator provides training, consultation and direct service
Vision:
Additional support personnel for students as needed
Increased special education presence on staff:
All Hebrew language teachers trained in Gateways specialized multisensory Hebrew Program
3 masters-level special educators on staff with specialized training in:
Behavioral support
Differentiation of curriculum
Multisensory Hebrew reading instruction

7. Vision: Youth Engagement accessible to all teens
Temple Shalom
of Newton

8. Youth Engagement Programs - Grades 7-12
Now:
No participants in youth programs receiving support from inclusion services
Current cohort of SHACHARIT Grades K-6 students receiving inclusion support will rise into youth programs in
Vision:
Support children with disabilities in all teen youth groups (middle & high school)
Specialized trainings for all youth engagement staff specifically around supporting LGBTQ teens
Additional support staff for participants as needed to support both learning and social/emotional needs
Temple Shalom
of Newton

9. Vision: Meaningful and spiritually uplifting worship for all
Temple Shalom
of Newton

10. Temple Community & Worship Spaces
Now:
5 B’nai Mitzvah students tutored by inclusion coordinator
Raised platform (bima) in sanctuary not wheelchair- accessible
Upstairs restrooms closest to sanctuary not wheelchair- accessible
Vision:
Physical spaces fully accessible for all worshippers
Physical spaces can accommodate sensory needs of all worshippers
Sensory-friendly worship programming
Fully accessible, all-gendered restrooms on worship level of building
Temple Shalom
of Newton

11. “Our kids feel like a part of the Jewish community,
and for that we are ever so grateful.”
- Temple Shalom Parent

12. Your support will enable us to live our vision:
Full-time Director of Inclusion, $75K + benefits/program year
10 hour/week Special Educator on the Early Learning Center Staff, $17K/year
Inclusion Aides for Early Learning Center, $15-20K/aide, 1-2 aides needed each year
Inclusion Aides for the K-6 SHACHARIT and Grades 7-12 Mincha/Ma’ariv Programs, $2500/aide, 7 aides needed each year
Training/Professional Development for staff from Early Childhood through Grade 12, $3,000-8,000/year
Thank you for ensuring a place for all children in our community
Temple Shalom
of Newton

13. How will we meet our goals?
Help us establish endowment funding for Inclusion at Temple Shalom
$500,000 raised in endowment funds will support $20,000 of our inclusion costs each year
$1 million raised in endowment funds will support $40,000 of our inclusion costs each year
$2 million raised in endowment funds will support $80,000 of our inclusion costs each year
Temple Shalom
of Newton

14. will turn our vision into reality
Your Gift
will turn our vision into reality
Your gift will transform our community
Temple Shalom
of Newton