Havorah

Opportunities to celebrate Jewish traditions for people with special needs

Our HAVORAH program, part of WJCS services for more than 20 years, provides unique opportunities to experience Jewish life for people with developmental disabilities who live in community residences, independently or with their families.

Children, teens and adults participate in holiday celebrations, Shabbat dinners and other social, educational and cultural events with members of area synagogues and Jewish community organizations.  Jewish individuals living in group homes are matched up with special friends within the Jewish community who have common interests.   Bar/Bat Mitzvah "twinnings" are also available to link individuals with special needs with local teens to share this important lifecycle milestone in Jewish life.

For a schedule of upcoming events, click here.

Part of WJCS Partners in Caring, Havorah is funded exclusively through the generosity of individual donors. Anyone interested in supporting Havorah should contact Laura Newman, Director of Development, at 914- 761-0600 ext.219  or click here to donate on line. Be sure to indicate Havorah as the program you are supporting.

Contact: Gail Oliver, Coordinator, Havorah Program at 845-565-8610 or gailao777@aol.com

Share A Shabbat Honored --Temple Israel of Northern Westchester was honored with the 2011 Irving J. Fain Award for Outstanding Synagogue Social Action Programming from the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism. The award recognized the synagogue's Share A Shabbat, a monthly initiative, cosponsored with WJCS’ Havorah Program, in which Rabbi Emerita Helene Ferris and various congregant families spend an enjoyable and meaningful Shabbat dinner at a group home in Ossining. Gail Oliver, Havorah Director, and Donna Bernstein, who chairs the temple’s effort, received the award at the Religious Action Center's "Consultation on Conscience" in Washington, DC.