Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on February 19, 2022

Autism Society of Greater Akron Posted Feb 17, 2022 at 1: 00 PM

580 Grant Street, Akron OH 44311

330-940-1441 | AutismAkron.org

What have you learned about transitioning services during COVID-19?

ASGA was able to quickly pivot our programming during COVID to meet the needs of individuals with Autism and their families. We listened to the struggles families experienced and adjusted our programming accordingly. This meant creating online social clubs to connect people, activity boxes to keep families engaged, relying on local partners to provide informational webinars to help families continue to navigate the complex world of disabilities amongst a pandemic. Virtual platforms broke down some barriers to accessing programs that we offer such as our workshops, where challenges often include a lack of transportation and childcare. We missed our volunteer engagement which is a huge component for some programs we offer like our iCan Bike Camp. Collaboration with community partners and our sister Autism Society affiliates was helpful to hear what other organizations were experiencing and doing to adjust.

How can the community help you?

Follow and engage with us on social media, share our resources and programs, sign up for our newsletter, make a donation, or make a team and participate in our Annual Step Into Autism Walk with Family Fun Day and Disability Fair on June 18 at Lock 3 in Akron.

How will your organization be different when COVID-19 ends?

We will adapt in whatever way needed so we can continue to connect individuals with Autism or other developmental disabilities and their families to the resources they need, when they need them. We found that certain programs delivered virtually can reach a wider audience; allowing us to expand the types and number of programs offered. Other programs still show the greatest impact from in-person delivery.

One Pollock Circle, 22001 Fairmount Blvd., Shaker Heights, OH 44118

216-932-2800 | bellefairejcb.org

What have you learned about transitioning services during COVID-19?

We learned that youth are resilient and that education plays an important role in the social and emotional development of children and teens.

How can the community help you?

We are so grateful for the ongoing support from the community. Both monetary and in kind donations help us to meet the ongoing needs of those we serve.

How will your organization be different when COVID-19 ends?

We expect that telehealth will play a larger role in our delivery of services than it has in the past but aside from that our focus remains on fulfilling our mission of providing the highest quality behavioral health and education to vulnerable and at-risk youth.

27900 Gates Mills Blvd., Pepper Pike, OH 44124

216-377-3000 | FriendsCleveland.com

What have you learned about transitioning services during COVID-19?

When COVID-19 forced Friendship Circle to transition to virtual and socially spaced programs, we discovered the enormous amount of resilience of the families of children of all abilities, the dedicated teen friend-makers, and the supporting community. We learned that friendship and socialization were needed more than ever during the pandemic. The effects of the pandemic on children of all abilities were brutal, causing severe loneliness and depression.

Quickly pivoting from in-person programs to virtual programs and outreach such as Porch Pals (socially spaced home visits from teens), tailgate holiday events, birthday balloon surprises and care package deliveries, Friendship Circle was able to bring sorely needed friendship, connection, and support to families when they needed it most. Many parents expressed that the virtual programs brought their children out of depression, as they had been feeling extremely isolated. They enjoyed the fun, social interaction with others over Zoom. The virtual programs gave them something to look forward to every day.

How can the community help you?

The community can help Friendship Circle by spreading the word about its services to families who can benefit from them and to Jewish teenagers who are looking for an opportunity to make an impact on other childrens lives while enhancing their own. The community can also help support the Friendship Circle mission and its programs through donations: friendscleveland.com/donate.

How will your organization be different when COVID-19 ends?

Coping with COVID-19 has magnified our awareness that our community is incredibly strong, and we can overcome major challenges when we focus on our mission: to spark friendship, connection and support for children of all abilities, their families and Jewish teens. Since the need for friendship and connection will be more important when COVID-19 ends, we are striving to increase our reach by doubling in size to serve more children, create more impact through innovative programs, and expand our services to adults in a way that can build friendships for life.

29125 Chagrin Blvd, Pepper Pike, OH 44122

216-292-3999 | jfsa-cleveland.org

How can the community help you?

JFSA is always looking for great volunteers to help in our programs. We need folks to help young adults with autism or other intellectual disabilities to do fun outdoor activities like gardening or trail building in the Cleveland Metroparks. We need computer coaches to help folks with mental illness stay connected to their counselors or friends via Zoom. We are always looking for friendly visitors or phone friends for our older adults that are homebound. Anyone interested in learning more about these opportunities should contact our volunteer coordinator, Laura Kestin at 216-378-3475.

How will your organization be different when COVID-19 ends?

Our mission is to enhance every individuals ability to thrive in the community. Our legacy has always been about inclusion. As far back as 1973, we were partnering with NCJW to move people from psychiatric institutions into the community. Council House, a beautiful home in Cleveland Heights for men with mental illness opened in 1979. Lomond House, a home in the Shaker Heights community for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities opened in 1986. We now serve individuals with disabilities in over 60 locations across Cuyahoga, Geauga and Summit counties. At JFSA, its always a month to focus on disabilities and inclusion.

26001 S. Woodland Road, Beachwood, OH 44122

216-831-0700 | mandeljcc.org

What have you learned about transitioning services during COVID-19?

As an organization that values diversity and inclusion, Mandel JCC has always been a welcoming place for people of all abilities. In addition to making our programs accessible to everyone, we partner with many community organizations to provide enriching opportunities including Cuyahoga East Vocational Education Consortium, Youth Ability, Bellefaire JCB, Naaleh and Rec2Connect.

COVID-19 presented several challenges to maintaining access to normal programming and services in-person. Although health and safety policies impacted our partnerships and resulted in a temporary pause, we were able to quickly change the delivery of many of our programs to virtual, including arts and culture classes, Cleveland Jewish Book Festival, Cleveland Jewish FilmFest, youth social programming and fitness classes. This allowed accessibility for the community to remain intellectually and physically engaged with Mandel JCC.

How can the community help you?

The community can volunteer in the Mandel JCCs J-Day Camps youth summer camp and Kids Club After School Program, which are open to children with disabilities. J-Day Camps also has opportunities for individuals to be trained as inclusion aides to provide extra support and accommodations to help children with disabilities join in the fun of summer camp.

How will your organization be different when COVID-19 ends?

The J has been adaptive and has learned which programs and services are important to its members and community. It changed how it delivered programs and adopted virtual offerings. Post-pandemic, The J will continue to offer an array of virtual fitness programs for individuals who prefer to work out remotely. Many of The Js arts and culture programs will have virtual options in addition to

in-person events. The J will continue to adapt its health and safety policies and procedures to ensure a healthy and safe environment for all. It will strive to offer even more robust programs and services aimed at benefitting people of all ages and abilities.

27100 Cedar Road, Beachwood, OH 44122

216-910-2794 | menorahpark.org

What have you learned about transitioning services during COVID-19?

Rabbi Akiva Feinstein said they definitely made use of the idiom, less is more, making events and services shorter but sweeter, cutting out parts, but maintaining and focusing on our favorite tunes and most heart-warming parts.

Although challenging, it is possible to offer small services to small groups in a meaningful way, and in-place, not just in a central location. For example, for Rosh Hashanah we had over 40 different shofar blowings to make sure everyone was included across our campus. On the High Holy Days, we held more than 10 services per day across the campuses rather than focusing on centralized services at our synagogues. This takes far more staff resources but it can be done.

Virtual /online is not ideal, and while is a stop gap residents prefer in-person services.

Holidays and Shabbat are sanctuaries in time and make us feel settled and connected no matter what pandemics may bring us keeping these in place at least in a symbolic or virtual way helps us all get through more effectively. We kept a commitment to have a form of Seder, a taste Rosh Hashanah, etc. no matter what the pandemic threw our way.

Kindness is our human fuel. When we can help others, we can raise our spirits and not fall into the melancholy of the pandemic grind.

How can the community help you?

Helping put together creative activities that can be brought to our campuses and with the help of staff shared with residents, under infection control guidelines. Consider volunteering and coming on campus to help we are not fully open for volunteers but select specialized opportunities are now opening

Just by visiting. Having more people on our campuses visiting, stopping in (but of course with masking, etc and being careful to not come in when you are not well) brings the life back. And when you are on your way to visit your loved one or friends, say hi to everyone you see, and brighten their day too.

How will your organization be different when COVID-19 ends?

We will be tougher, learning to be more creative, learning to be more flexible, and will so much appreciate the ability to just have fun and be together again. We learned that we can all help each other out, outside of our typical staff roles. Rabbis can help bring food trays to residents, and maintenance staff can sing.

To emphasize not only the big events, but to be there for everyone, even those who do not engage so much and prefer to stay in their rooms COVID-19 taught us that everyone has unique needs for engagement, and that we need to put our strengths into both big banner programs as well as 1:1 room visits with residents.

4853 Galaxy Parkway, Suite A, Warrensville Heights, OH 44128

216-464-7600 | milestones.org

What have you learned about transitioning services during COVID-19?

The Milestones free autism Helpdesk, milestones.org/helpdesk, has helped support and connect families, autistic individuals and professionals who serve them with resources and information throughout the pandemic, as always. Milestones provides family and individual consultations in virtual and in-person options with COVID-19 precautions. Our COVID-19 resources for families web page includes useful information and social stories on different topics, bit.ly/3BrTQ34. We have met the evolving needs and questions people have, including dealing with school and mental health issues. We learned how to serve some families in rural areas or autistic individuals better, using strategies from the pandemic era. COVID-19 taught us about universal accommodations like providing closed captioning during our conference and other educational workshops. Everyones understanding was enhanced because we could provide this new accommodation we learned about during COVID-19.

The virtual Milestones National Autism Conference provides a trusted, convenient learning opportunity for the whole autism community families, autistic individuals and professionals with continuing education units offered in 12 disciplines. This years conference will be a virtual event on June 15 and 16 with on-demand access to all content through Aug. 15. Experience interactive, evidence-based sessions, engage with experts in the field and gain valuable professional development all from the comfort of home. Find out more at milestones.org/conference.

How can the community help you?

Spread the word about the Milestones free autism Helpdesk, milestones.org/helpdesk, and our groundbreaking new Milestones Autism Planning Tool, milestones.org/map. The MAP serves as your online guide step by step from early childhood through adulthood on a wide range of topics. We walk you through everyday life issues with practical information and tips to build skills over time and to navigate each new step.

Milestones is grateful for donors who help ensure these critical services are available. Our fun, family-friendly Strike It Big Your Way campaign started Feb. 15, inviting participants to fundraise their way by choosing an activity that fits their interests. You can run a 5K, bake for your neighbors or host a game night with friends whatever you choose. We will celebrate our fundraising efforts on April 3 at Spins Bowl in Independence while following COVID-19 safety precautions. To find out more, visit milestones.org/strikeitbigyourway.

How will your organization be different when COVID-19 ends?

Milestones is proud to be celebrating our 20th anniversary this year. We are dedicated to supporting, educating and connecting the autism community and helping individuals reach their unique potential. We will continue to evolve to meet the needs of the community as we did during the pandemic and seek new ways to provide that support.

Knesseth Israel Temple

1670 Cleveland Road, Wooster, OH 44691

330-262-3516 | kitemple.org

What have you learned about transitioning services during COVID-19?

Cantor Beth Friedman-Romell said we have found that offering first Zoom, then hybrid services provides an ability to connect with members and others who are, for many reasons, not able to attend in person. Also, since I serve the community part-time and live 60 miles away, Zoom has enabled me to participate in Board and committee meetings that I was never able to attend before. Bar mitzvah training is also easier on Zoom than by phone. I see students in person twice a month, and remotely twice a month. Being a small congregation, we have also partnered with other small Jewish communities across Ohio to offer joint online programming that has been well-attended.

How will your synagogue be different when COVID-19 ends?

We will never stop offering hybrid services and programs. It has proven so valuable to us internally, and also in our ability to connect with people all over the country and internationally.

Administrative offices only: 2245 Warrensville Center Road, Suite No. 215, University Heights, OH 44118

216-320-1498 | kolhalev.net

What have you learned about transitioning services during COVID-19?

We are grateful to have been able to pivot to online offerings so quickly, and to a largely receptive audience. For the foreseeable future, most of Kol HaLevs programming and services will take place on Zoom or in a multi-access format (which people can attend on Zoom or in-person). We welcome guests to Shabbat services, High Holy Days services and some additional programming; non-members who wish to attend on Zoom can follow the instructions on our website homepage, kolhalev.net.

530 Gulf Road, Elyria, OH 44035

440-366-1171 | tbaelyria.org

What have you learned about transitioning services during COVID-19?

Our congregants love being on Zoom, especially during the winter months. It has made is possible for older and disabled congregants to attend that otherwise would not have been able to. We have had people from near and far (members and associate members) join us for services. Attendance has been great.

How can the community help you?

Support from the community has been outstanding. We improvised our yearly indoor Bagel Brunch to a drive-thru, which was very successful. In light of antisemitism and the hostage situation in Texas, a Christian church in Elyria has made a donation to the ADL in honor of Temple Bnai Abraham. Were very grateful for the support our community has shown.

How will your synagogue be different when COVID-19 ends?

We will be offering hybrid services. Services will be on Zoom for those who are unable to attend in person. Our building will be open for those who want to attend services in the temple.

30799 Pinetree Road, No. 401, Pepper Pike, OH 44124

216-509-9969 | theshul.us

What have you learned about transitioning services during COVID-19?

We have moved our Shabbat and holiday services, as well as our study groups to Zoom. We have been able to hold some bat and bar mitzvah services as in-person occasions. The same is true for baby namings and other ceremonies that celebrate transitional moments in life. While far from ideal, online events of all types are workable and meaningful, though we do miss the opportunity to gather as a community.

How can the community help you?

Vaccinate and mask in order to keep people safe. We should do this for each other and especially for those who are medically vulnerable. Also it is still necessary to limit the size of public events and observe social distancing protocols when attending these events.

How will your synagogue be different when COVID-19 ends?

We will welcome the opportunity to join together again. We will also continue to utilize technology for the advantages that it offers. And we will miss those who have been lost to COVID.

2403 S. Belvoir Blvd., University Heights OH 44118

216-299-1004 | yachad.org/Cleveland

What have you learned about transitioning services during COVID-19?

We have learned to adapt to the current situation and that there really are no barriers to inclusion. Whether someone needs to be isolated due to COVID restrictions or isnt able to come to an in-person event, we really strived to go the extra mile to give our members the best opportunities as possible. We immediately offered daily virtual programming, phone and study buddies, support groups, new apps and technology, at-home kit deliveries and more. And we have also learned all the cool Zoom features and we have gotten really good at muting and unmuting ourselves.

How can the community help you?

I think the best way is the old way we have always had strong community support and it has continued. We ask that people just keep reaching out for help, keep including our members in your daily life and in communal spaces, rituals and celebrations. Keep allowing everyone their rightful place and treating our participants as vital members of our community. This is especially relevant now as the struggles and isolating repercussions of the pandemic are still lingering. Recognize that its new territory to all of us so its OK to not have all the answers. But at least show people that you are there. Financial support is also always appreciated as we have continued to provide highly subsidized programming and services and have offered free membership for the last two years.

How will your organization be different when COVID-19 ends?

Go here to see the original:

JDAIM programs, services offered by Northeast Ohio synagogues, organizations - Cleveland Jewish News

Category: Synagogue
Tags: