A Different Spirit

Creating Meaningful B'nai Mitzvah for Children with Disabilities
A comprehensive guide for clergy and families as they create meaningful and inclusive b’nai mitzvah celebrations for teens with special needs.

A first-of-its-kind resource guide for inclusive b'nai mitzvah celebrations.

For too long, teens with special needs have been on the margins of the Jewish community. As for any child, their b'nai mitzvah should be a joyous time as they transition into adulthood and affirm their commitment to their community.

A Different Spirit: Creating Meaningful B'nai Mitzvah for Children With Disabilities is designed to help clergy and families navigate creating a meaningful and inclusive celebration for all. This collection of essays includes inspiration and practical guidance on planning a celebration, managing accommodations and settings, and teaching children with special needs, as well as personal stories and a deep understanding of the concept of inclusion.

Edited by Howard Blas, the director of the National Ramah Tikvah Network which provides inclusion and vocational training programs support for young adults with disabilities in camps, and Emmy-award-winning Ilana Trachtman, director of the acclaimed documentary Praying with Lior.

This resource discusses planning for teens with:

• Autism
• Anxiety and other mental health issues
• Visual impairment
• Deafness
• Non- and minimal speech
• Mobility challenges
• Learning differences

Featuring contributions by Jacob Artson, Daniella Bardack-Tarrab, Meir Yishai Barth, Rabbi Allison L. Berry, Shelly Christensen, Rabbi Menachem Creditor, Wendy Elliott-Vandivier, Meredith Englander Polsky, Jennifer Fink, Elaine Hall, Dr. Sheldon H. Horowitz, Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer, Matan A. Koch, Serena Leigh Krombach, MA, MSEd, Rabbi Darby Jared Leigh, Jessica Leving Siegel, Batya Sperling-Milner, Dr. David Neufeld, Rebecca Redner, Arlene Remz, Rabbi Rebecca Schatz, Pamela Rae Schuller, Dr. Stephen Shore, Rabbanit Aliza Sperling, and Rebecca Wanatick.

UK Delivery:

• Free delivery on all orders of £10 or more.
• £1.49 delivery fee on orders below £10.
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International Delivery:

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Dispatch and Delivery Times:

• All orders are shipped from our warehouse in Northampton, UK within 48 hours of receipt during working hours.
• UK mainland orders typically arrive within 3-5 working days via Royal Mail 2nd Class.
• International estimated delivery times:
• Europe & Channel Islands: 7 to 10 working days
• USA: 7 to 15 working days
• Rest of the World: 9 to 21 working days

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