OUTSIDE THE BOX

Support and understanding recently filled the room at Congregation Shir Ha-Ma'alot as members of the Brit Tikvah support group laughed together, cried together, and studied Torah together at their recent meeting in March. Brit Tikvah is amonthly support group for Jewish parents of children with special needs. Many special needs are represented, ranging from neurological to behavioral to physical problems.
Attendance at this particular meeting was the highest ever, and members of the group were thrilled that leading the discussion was Rabbi Shawn Fields-Meyer, the founder and director of Ozreinu, an organization of several chapters of support groups of Jewish parents of children with special needs. Through community, study, Torah, and spirituality,Ozreinu offers support to Jewish parents who are struggling with the challenges of raising children who are "outside the box,"while still trying to find their place within the Jewish community.

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JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF LOS ANGELES AWARDS GRANT TO OZREINU



Ozreinu is grateful to the Los Angeles Jewish Community Foundation for a generous grant in support of the development of Ozreinu’s written materials and emerging growth.
The JCF granted Ozreinu a 2006 Cutting-Edge Grant, and we are deeply appreciative for their support.
For more information and the JCF’s press release, please read: http://www.jewishfoundationla.org/pressreleases.aspx?q=39&y=2006

Group meets special needs
   Building on the success of their joint Special Needs Religious School class, Congregation Neveh Shalom and TASK, the disabilities awareness program of Jewish Family and Child Service, have once again teamed up to meet the needs of an oft-ignored group.
    "The Jewish community has not, historically, been particularly helpful to people who have special needs," said Mel Berwin, a participant and volunteer facilitator in Ozreinu, Portland's newest outreach to families dealing with special needs. "Ozreinu not only connects Jewish families who can empathize, share stories, and truly understand the unique blessings and burdens of having children with special needs, but it teaches and reminds us that we, and our children, have a place within our tradition."
Click here to read complete article. Jewish Review, 9/15/2006

Breaking Through the Isolation
Camp helps families balance autism and Jewish life
   Atlantan Jody Hoffman peeked into her 2-year-old’s Jewish preschool class and realized that both of their lives were going to change forever.
   “I remember looking in the little window of the classroom, knowing that she was different and that she always would be,” Hoffman said. At 26 months, her daughter, Hallie, had been diagnosed with a form of autism.
   “At first you don’t want to see the word autism,” Hoffman said, pointing out that this was in 1998, before the recent explosion of media coverage of the developmental disability. “I had never really worked with anyone with autism. I thought of people like Rain Man and children who weren’t affectionate and didn’t like to be touched. None of those things really described my child.
Click here to read complete article. Atlanta Jewish Times, 9/2/2005

Special Needs Group Fills Special Niche
    When parents gather for monthly meetings of Ozreinu, a spiritual support group for families with special-needs children, the first thing they do is check in.
    Before they get to the Jewish text, before they begin the formal discussion, they update each other on whatís been going on over the last month.
   "Every month we gather there is stronger sense of community," said Rabbi Shawn Fields-Meyer, the group's founder. "It provides a forum for really honest sharing without embarrassment. And there is always a lot of humor that only another parent with a special-needs kid can appreciate."
Click here to read complete article. Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, 8/26/2005

Rabbinical Award
   With more than 50 supporters in attendance, Rabbi Shawn Fields-Meyer received the inaugural award for Creative Jewish Education from the Mintz Family Foundation at an emotional reception May 27. Fields-Meyer was honored with the $5,000 award for her work in founding Ozreinu, a spiritual support group for parents of children with special needs..
Click here to read complete article. Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, 7/1/2005

Families Find Magic in "Miracles" Musical
   Lexie Aaron stands center stage. The 13-year-old girl sings out in a strong, pure voice, "Miracles happen evíry day ... open your eyes."
   he song is the opening number of "Everyday Miracles," an original musical about four Hebrew school students who travel back in time to interact with their biblical heroes. But what makes this production so unique is that children with special needs get to emote alongside their typically developing counterparts.
Click here to read complete article. Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, 5/27/2005

Strange Fire
Parshat Shemini (Leviticus 9:1-11:47)
   The Chasidic Reb Nachman of Bratslav tells of a kingís son who goes mad: he believes he is a turkey.
   The boy removes all his clothes, spends all his time under a table and refuses to eat normal food. Distraught and alarmed, his father summons in all manner of experts, but none can cure the boy.
   His tale of disappointment turns into a tale of revisioning and change: After a long time, a wise man arrives at the palace, and asks to see the prince. The wise man joins the boy under the table, and declares himself to be a turkey. Little by little, the two become comfortable with one another, and gradually the man encourages the turkey-prince to put on his clothes, then eat human food and finally to join the rest of the family. In this manner, the Chasidic master says, the wise man cures the prince.
Click here to read complete article. Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, 4/1/2005