Brownstein Special Ed Hebrew School

The Brownstein Special Ed Hebrew School offers a unique approach to Jewish learning.  Aside from being the first Hebrew school of its kind to open in the United States, it was founded in conjunction with various families of children with special needs. This team approach has given us a deep understanding of what our unique and precious children require, as well as the appropriate method to satisfy these needs.

Our goal is to provide our students, regardless of their religious affiliation, with the opportunity to connect to their Jewish heritage. We aim to facilitate an environment where they can experience the beauty that Judaism has to offer through hands-on learning. The students will have the opportunity to learn and practice Hebrew reading with individualized attention from their teachers.  We also encourage and assist each student at his or her own pace to prepare for his or her Bar or Bat Mitzvah.  Every Jewish child deserves to have positive and meaningful Jewish experiences.  The students of Brownstein create an incredible community and network, one that no Jewish child with special needs would want to miss out on.

Our Philosophy

Children with special needs are individuals who are able to contribute to society in their own unique ways. Hebrew school serves a dual purpose; it gives them training in Judaism so that they can participate and appreciate more of what's going on in their homes and synagogues. On the other hand, it's also an uplifting experience for them personally, because it allows them to appreciate and experience the greatness of the Jewish ancestry and culture of which they are a part of.

At our Hebrew School, we believe each child should have the opportunity to learn at his or her own unique level, ability, and pace. While some children are merely beginning to learn the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, others are learning Hebrew phrases, songs, and prayers. Each child receives individual attention thanks to our Special Education teachers, and particularly because it is important to us to maintain a high ratio of teachers to children, our class size is limited.  We are also open to parent feedback in order to cater toward their child’s specific needs.

Jewish Culture and Socialization

 Along with Hebrew school, part of our goal is to offer the children an array of social enrichment programs in which the children have a chance to come together in a less formal setting. We have events such as fun holiday programs, big brother/big sister mentoring, and more. This is an amazing way to connect these special Jewish children and to build a stronger community and family network.

Our Program

Our method of teaching combines interactive stories, sensory activities such as cooking and baking, as well as creative arts-and-crafts projects. The class typically begins with a sing-along of traditional Jewish prayers and songs, followed by interactive stories from the Torah portion of the week.  Depending on the time of year, we also incorporate activities pertaining to the Jewish holidays and Shabbat.  Our school is currently open to children of all ages.