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Between the costumes, tasty treats, loud parties, and general merriment, Purim is a holiday bursting with sensory inputs. For kids with a variety of sensory sensitivities, celebrating Purim can therefore be an overwhelming and anxiety-provoking experience. Whether you’re planning a Purim party, attending synagogue events, or simply celebrating at home with family, these 7 tips from Gateways’ special education professionals will help you create a welcoming and comfortable Purim environment for individuals of all sensory needs. Dive in and discover how to make this Purim a truly sensory-friendly ..read more

By Tali Cohen Carrus, Senior Director of Programs Authentic representation of Disability in media is so important. It ensures that children grow up with role models who experience the world in relatable ways. It normalizes difference and disability as a natural, valuable part of human existence. In honor of JDAIM (Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month), we compiled a list of some of our current favorite books for children and young adults of all ages.  Ages 0-2 On The Go by Brook Sitgraves Turner and Archaa Shrivastav This board book is full of beautiful photos feat ..read more

by Tamar Davis, CEO I recently returned from a three-day personal trip to Israel, where I spent time with my closest childhood friend, Jennifer Airley, whose son Binyamin fell in Gaza less than two weeks ago. It was an intense trip to say the least, to be there with my friend and with my siblings and family members who have husbands and children fighting in this war we didn’t ask for. At the same time, the country was preparing for the start of Chanukah, with the the smells of mouth-watering sufganiyot (jelly-filled donuts) floating through the air and Jews of every denomination flocking to st ..read more

By Tali Cohen Carrus We all know that our children rely on us to be a source of strength, security, and safety. As we confront the onslaught of information and media content on the war in Israel, parents, caregivers, and educators face the additional challenge of figuring out how to thoughtfully discuss these events with the children and young adults in their lives, while also giving space to process their own emotions. For the caregivers of a child with a neurodevelopmental disability or mental health support needs, navigating this topic may feel even more complicated and overwhelming. Below ..read more

Back-to-school season is a time filled with excitement, anticipation, and more than a little anxiety for kids and parents alike. As schedules change and demands intensify, it can be challenging to figure out how to help our kids and ourselves navigate the shift into fall. Fear not, because today we’ve got a backpack full of tips and tricks from the experts on Gateways’ staff – drawing from their experience as special educators, mental health providers, and parents themselves – to make the return to school smoother and more enjoyable for everyone. Whether you’re part of a neurodiverse family or ..read more

by Tamar Davis, CEO Leaders often say that being a leader can feel very lonely. Even Moses, when leading the Israelites to freedom in this week’s Torah portion, pleads to God, “Alone I cannot carry this entire people for it is too hard for me!” (Numbers 11:14). In response, God tells Moses to “assemble for me 70 elders of Israel… and I will increase the spirit that is upon you and bestow it upon them. Then they too will bear the responsibility of the people with you so that you need not bear it alone.” (Numbers 11:16-17) When we hosted our Annual Meeting earlier this week, we assembled over 60 ..read more

by Tamar Davis, CEO This past week, I was with 300 other Boston area friends (over 100 of whom were under the age of 40) participating in the CJP Spark Mission to Israel in honor of Israel’s 75th birthday. 20% of my companions had never been to Israel before, which added even more enthusiasm and curiosity to the atmosphere of the trip. While I’ve been blessed to be in Israel many times, and have four siblings and many nieces and nephews living there, this was my first time exploring the land through the lens of a Bostonian. Visiting our sister city Haifa was a highlight of the uplifting experi ..read more

By Gateways and Keshet Staff This article was originally published on eJewish Philanthropy. It’s a challenging time to be doing change work. Each day we confront all-too-familiar tragedy: one more harmful anti-LGBTQ+ law is proposed, another celebrity spews antisemitic rhetoric and more disabled people are disproportionately harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. When the landscape is so formidable and the stakes so high, organizations like ours — Gateways: Access to Jewish Education and Keshet —could be inclined to double down and focus on our specific missions. We, however, are charting a dif ..read more

by Tamar Davis, CEO We are called… with love. This week’s Torah portion starts us on a journey through the third book of the Torah, Vayikra. While we refer to this book as Leviticus in English, the literal translation is “And He called.” God is calling to Moses, and commentators note that the word “called,” as opposed to “said,” has a connotation of love. God is calling to Moses with love. When I leaf through this book of Leviticus, though, it doesn’t quite read to me as a book of love. It’s a book of commandments, certainly, but where is the love? I came to a deeper understanding of this afte ..read more