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Community Corner

New Jewish Youth Group for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders







Congregation Beth Israel of Scotch Plains, Temple


Sholom of Scotch Plains and Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim of Cranford


have joined together to create a new Jewish youth


group, Kids Connect, for children with autism spectrum disorders.  The first program is Sunday, February 23 from


12:30-1:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth Israel. The topic is family, friends,


community, and Judaism.  Kids Connect


activities are open to the entire community. 


Members do not need to be affiliated with a sponsoring synagogue.







“We know that a youth group can be such an important


part of teen Jewish life  -- one that we


want all of our children to be able to enjoy,” said Michelle Shapiro


Abraham of Temple Sholom.







Kids Connect was made possible by support from


MetroWest ABLE (Access, Belonging and Life Enrichment for People and Families


with Special Needs.)  MetroWest ABLE is a


program of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ and works to advocate


for and support individuals and their families with special needs.  

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Kids Connect is designed for


students in grades five through ten 


(10-15 years old) who are on the autism spectrum and who would otherwise


be unable to participate in a typical youth group experience.  With


meetings every four to six weeks, Kids Connect includes holiday celebrations,


trips, social action projects and additional youth group activities.  Run by Kids Connect Coordinator Dana Brenner,


all programs include both peer teen support and a licensed special needs


educator on site.  







“Kids Connect brings together the teen leadership of


three synagogues from different towns and different denominations,” said Elly


Bauman, Education Director of Congregation Beth Israel. 

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Students


from the sponsoring congregations in grades eight through twelve are trained as


“buddies” who help plan the events, spend time with the youth group members and


support the programming. 







“The


pairing of a buddy with a Kids Connnect member adds another dynamic to the


program, and creates a strong and supportive


Jewish social community,” said Dana Brenner, Kids Connect Coordinator.  “It is great to see the excitement the


buddies have for working with the youth group!”







Parents are invited to contact Dana Brenner at kidsconnectyouthgroup@gmail.com to discuss their child’s participation in the program


or to visit the website at www.kidsconnectyouthgroup.weebly.com 

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