Page 12 - The Jewish Voice - June '20

Page 12, The Jewish Voice

aLL about Kids

Local Happenings on page 8
Hebrew School Graduation

During Quarantine

Quarantine has changed
a lot in our lives, but not our
love of learning!
The Hebrew school
students have been
determined to keep up their
learning and joined weekly
on Zoom.
The year culminated
with a drive-by graduation. The J.N. Somers Yad Hebrew School is the only formal
Definitely a first! The Sunday religious and Hebrew school in the Palm Beaches
students drove up to pick with the alternative learner in mind whose educational
up prizes they earned, needs might not be as well suited in traditional settings.
personalized swag, and a The program philosophy is that all children deserve open
certificate honoring their gateways for participation in Jewish learning experiences and
dedication and hard work. They certainly deserved it! important Jewish rites of passage, such as becoming a bar or
The students loved seeing each other, even if from a bat mitzvah. Between teachers and volunteers, Yad offers an
safe distance. almost 1:1 student-teacher ratio.
During the commencement program, families enjoyed
hearing the students chant traditional Hebrew prayer; learning
about highlights from the past year; a tzedakah (Hebrew for
“donation”) presentation to two organizations — Jewish
National Fund and Meir Panim; a tribute to Yad’s dedicated
teen and adult volunteers; and a certificate ceremony, which
also featured a graduation presentation to student Cara
Fortinsky, who has been part of Yad since it began in 2001.
“Seeing our students’ pride and joy at the commencement
ceremony after a year of such hard work is one of the most
beautiful experiences I have the good fortune to witness,” shared
Wilma Turk, who has served as Director of Special Needs
Education for Federation’s CJE for the past 16 years. “This
program would not be possible without the dedicated team of
teachers and nearly one dozen volunteers who enable us to create
this incredible, one-on-one learning environment each week.”
Lisa Kramer’s son, Robert, has been part of Yad for five
years. Lisa also serves as a volunteer teacher, and shared,
“Yad is such an incredibly special program. Robert now has
a stronger connection to his Jewish heritage and identity. Our
family is forever grateful.”

Special Needs Hebrew School Coping with Our New Reality:
Hosts Commencement Parent Edition

Ceremony Via Zoom Community members raising children are invited to join
Coping with Our New Reality: Parent Edition, a weekly
Twelve students from drop-in virtual discussion group, on Mondays at 8 p.m.
Jewish Federation’s Facilitated by Licensed Psychologist Iris Kiner, PsyD, and
Friedman Commission Counselor Sara Helfrich, LMHC, parents who are learning
for Jewish Education how to navigate living, working, and teaching from home can
(CJE) J.N. Somers Yad talk with others who are having similar experiences, and learn
Hebrew School for how to identify coping skills and connect if feeling socially
Children with Differing disconnected.
Abilities completed a “Parents from all over our community connecting with
year of learning with a each other can do a world of good during COVID-19,” said
heartfelt commencement Kiner. “With school officially closed for the remainder of the
ceremony for students term, it’s important to address and acknowledge the tug so
and their families. Held many are feeling with the physical merging of personal and
Tuesday - Saturday via Zoom, the ceremony professional lives.”
Registration is required for access to the support session;
provided an opportunity for the students to showcase their

10 am - 5 pm Hebrew language abilities and understanding of Jewish visit www.alpertjfs.org/events/parents/ or call 684.1991 for
prayer and song. more information.
Donations accepted from 10 am to 3 pm
“Service is our number one priority”

561-743-0070
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