Special Needs “Shine Bright” at the Michael-Ann Russell JCC

The Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center, is known for its richly diverse programs and events. Particularly shining bright is its Special Needs Department, also known as “Or Gadol” - which in Hebrew means “Bright Light.”
By: michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center
 
Sept. 2, 2010 - PRLog -- Or Gadol provides programs and services to kids with special needs, beginning at age 5, to young adults, regardless of skill or ability.

Included are:
The “OR CADASH” AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM for ages 5-12, offering one to five week options with a staff ration of 1:2.  Includes tennis gymnastics, yoga, and swimming, along with yoga therapy through motion, movement, and music. Daily life skills are incorporated as well.

For elementary through high school age youth, HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE is offered, Monday through Thursday afternoons, in either a small group setting or with a private tutor.

For those who wish to make their “world a stage,” a DRAMA PROGRAM is offered on Sunday mornings, through the Exceptional Theatre Company.  An end of the semester presentation is planned for January.

For ages 10 & up looking for a sports oriented experience, a weekly Friday afternoon Basketball class is  
Offered that includes instruction and game play.

For ages 13 and up looking to enjoy a social experience similar to that which “typical” teenagers enjoy, a weekly weekend SOCIAL GROUP is offered which emphasizes both fun and social skills development through off-JCC and on-JCC campus activities.

For ages 20 and up, the “OMETZ” Program offers a hands-on learning environment designed to teach pre-vocational and daily living skills incorporating a weekly off-site work experience.

New this year:
PHOTOGRAPHY & PHOTOSHOP classes for teenagers and adults on Tuesday afternoons.

A “CHALAV U’DVASH” Sunday morning Hebrew for Kids class that promotes Israel cultural programming, Jewish holiday celebrations, and Hebrew language instruction.


Heading the Or Gadol Department is Special Needs Director, Yafit Avni. Yafit hails from Tel Aviv, Israel and has been working with special needs children for 12 years – 4 in South Florida. With a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Bar Ilan University, Yafit applies her knowledge and experience by utilizing specialized curriculum designed to the specific needs of each child.  In her work, Yafit utilizes advanced methods such as Kundalini Yoga – a method which focuses on balance between mind and body and releases anxiety and frustration through breath control.  “My mission,” says Yafit, “is to help children and adults with special needs reach their full potential by providing them with the most advanced tools necessary to develop and grow physically, mentally, and spiritually.”
Information about the Or Gadol Department may be obtained by calling Yafit, at 305-932-4200, ext. 135.

# # #

The Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center/Sanford L. Ziff Campus is dedicated to the enrichment of Jewish life and fosters the spiritual, emotional, and physical development of its individual members through all of life’s stages and circumstances. The MAR-JCC represents a model of acceptance, understanding and diversity. As such, people look at the MAR-JCC as a center of excellence that epitomizes how shared Jewish values support a vibrant and evolving constituency. The MAR-JCC is a beneficiary agency of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and the United Way of Miami-Dade County, and a member of the Jewish Community Center Association of North America.
End
Source:michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center
Email:***@aol.com
Zip:33180
Tags:Special Needs, Michael-ann Russell Jcc, Jewish Community Center, Or Gadol, Or Chadash, Photoshop, Homework, Ometz
Industry:Education, Services, Family
Location:Aventura - Florida - United States
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