by Blake Beratan, Tifereth Israel During the past year, I have been learning how to help kids with special needs through a program called TAP, Teen Assistant Program. I have been going to my synagogue every Sunday to help the kids at the Hebrew school. This has been an enjoying experience because not only am I helping the students with their disabilities, but I’ve become a role model to them. I feel that I have made a lasting impression on each and every one of my students. The fact that feel as if I am making a difference for these [...]

by Julia Sobel, Beth Am Israel My name is Julia and I’m a TAP Teen for the year of 2018-2019. I have really enjoyed many aspects of this program. All of the training that we get in this program is very helpful such as learning new strategies on how to interact with people with learning differences and having a community of people to talk to about ideas for the classroom. But the main thing that I have really enjoyed is the part of the program where we get to work with the students in the classroom. I mainly work one [...]

by Michael Eisman, Tiferet Bet Israel Something that I have learned about people with disabilities is…that patience is very important. In listening to the different speakers that we have had the opportunity to learn from this year, is that people with disabilities do not always realize they might be doing something that is not appropriate in the view of today’s society. Trying to explain the difference of what may be socially acceptable and ask the child to stop doing something often takes time. Patience is key to ensure a positive relationship, as a caregiver, often you may need to repeat [...]