Vista Del Mar, a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation, provides comprehensive therapeutic programs for children and their families. Services provided include educational and therapeutic services for special needs children; a non-public school for severely emotionally disturbed youth; therapeutic residential treatment for youth-at-risk; individual and group counseling for children and their families; educational assessment and treatment; child abuse prevention services; early childhood care; and foster family and adoption services.

Nes Gadol (Hebrew for Great Miracle) is a community-wide implementation of an expressive arts therapy-based Bar and Bat Mitzvah program for children with special needs, such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy and other conditions. Previously, most parents believed it was impossible for special needs children to have Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, and most children of these children had no prior religious education. With Foundation support, Nes Gadol is expanding the curriculum to include religious school for special needs children, prepare them for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah and arrange the ceremony. Nes Gadol is also developing a training program for other organizations.

 

Children with special needs and their families should be included in all aspects of Jewish life, and this program will go far in providing them with opportunities for participating in learning, lifecycle events and ritual celebrations. For over 100 years, Vista has identified critical needs in the Jewish community and is grateful to The Foundation for providing the resources to address this particular issue.

 

Dr. Elias Lefferman, President and CEO, Vista Del Mar