by Issy Goldstein Or Hadash TAP has introduced me to many different opportunities. One of the most meaningful experiences was helping out at Mishkan Shalom for Hanukkah. The TAP teens were given very loose instructions to help out where it was needed. My friend Hilary and I went over to help two people make latkes. We then learned that we were helping Lior and his friend, Helen. During a TAP session, we watched the documentary Praying with Lior. The movie follows Lior, a boy with Down syndrome, in the months leading up to his bar mitzvah. This was one of [...]

by Hannah Charlson, Beth Am Israel I am Hannah Charlson, and this is my first year working with children with special needs, but it definitely will not be my last. What I enjoy most about working with children with special needs is that I get to help them use their talents and intelligence and eagerness for learning to the best of their ability. Getting to see the light in their eyes when they read a sentence correctly, win a game, or get a high five from their classmates is priceless. I love that I have built a relationship with them, [...]

by Sarah Hochberg, Temple Judea Some helpful strategies that I learned in the TAP program and have used are to let the kids have a little time to wonder and do what they want first. In my class we have a half an hour where two classes are combined and we do a whole group activity. From singing songs to doing arts & crafts I let them have a little free time to be crazy, but not too crazy. I’ve learned that it helps the kids calm down instead of constantly talking to them or having to take them away [...]