Inclusive Chanukah minyan in Teaneck
Teaneck’s Congregation Rinat Yisrael and Makor Care and Services Network will host the fourth annual inclusive Chanukah minyan on Sunday, December 29, at 9 a.m., at the shul. The annual program is designed for people with specialized needs and their families, friends, and fans.
“So many people with specialized needs are excluded from davening with a minyan because they might appear to others to be disruptive, or because they need to walk around a bit or require a little extra attention,” Dr. Stephen Glicksman said. Dr. Glicksman, who is a Rinat congregant, is Makor’s director of innovation. “Others may attend shul but haven’t been offered an aliyah since their bar mitzvah. This minyan isn’t just for people with intellectual or developmental diagnoses; it’s aimed at giving everyone with and without specialized needs the opportunity to pray together in a welcoming, accessible, sensory-aware atmosphere. The hope is that everyone will see what individuals at all levels are capable of and become more inclusive all year round.”
“I love davening, especially at the Rinat/Makor inclusive Chanukah minyan,” Rabbi Chaim Struchler, who heads Rinat, said. “Chanukah is about seeing Hashem in unexpected places. Each of our lives is a miracle from Hashem. We often need a little help to take in this truth. This special davening opportunity helps us appreciate just a little more the miracles all around us.”
The davening will be led by singer Jeff Braverman. The shul’s layout will be set up to give space for those with varying sensory and mobility issues. The post-davening treats include gluten-free donuts and gelt, and sugar-free and more traditional Chanukah fare. “Imagine having to say to your child, ‘I’m sorry, you can’t have those’ every time they pass the donuts on the way out of a minyan or Chanukah event,” Dr. Glicksman said. “We really try to design this minyan so that everyone can take part in every aspect, from the kibudim (honors) to the treats afterwards.”
Debbie Marcus, whose son, Dov has autism and attends Rinat regularly, said: “We look forward to the Rinat/Makor Chanukah minyan every year. Our son has a very strong connection to davening in shul, and this minyan gives him an opportunity to really participate in a way not typically afforded to him. It’s truly a highlight of our Chanukah!”
The event is open to men and women of all ages, with and without disabilities. Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is preferred so that everyone’s needs can be accommodated. To register, go to www.rinat.org/inclusive-minyan.
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