On Thursday, April 9th, a Special Needs 2nd Seder was held at Temple Beth Am, co-hosted with HaMercaz and the Nes Gadol program of Vista Del Mar, with 45 people. Participants were asked if they wanted to share with their ideas about the meaning of Passover and here's what one young man shared, having written it beforehand on a computer:

"Moses couldn't speak well yet he liberated Hebrew slaves into freedom. The disabled may be limited in some ways but God selected Moses to liberate his people. Why did God choose an imperfect man to do this? God chose a man with doubts and a disability to lead because he wanted to show that doubts lead to insight and too much certainty leads to arrogance. He chose a disabled man because Moses had to struggle and overcome challenges. Moses couldn't do it alone. He relied on the help of Aaron and others to relay his message verbally and to talk to the people. But Moses alone saw God Himself.

God doesn't want perfection. He loved Moses, flawed in body but perfect in spirit. Moses saved the Jewish people and taught us to accept challenges even if they are scary if they take us to truth and freedom. Many lessons are in this for all of us. I hope to help lead autistic people to freedom in communication and respect. How will you lead?"

HaMercaz wants to improve
our services to better meet
the needs of our families.

And you can help!

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Take the survey before April 5th, 2009
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Make one call that addresses them all:
1-866-287-8030

Are you a parent raising a child with learning or developmental disabilities? Perhaps you are a professional working with children who have autism spectrum disorders or special needs.

Imagine a call that connects you to information, services, play days, support groups, camps, and community resources. That’s HaMercaz, your one-stop special needs resource – where a single call provides a world of help.

HaMercaz connects you to:

Information & Referrals

• Help for families with newly-diagnosed children
• Ongoing assistance and support for families with children from birth through age 22
• A network of community agencies and resources
• Parent and professional workshops

Social & Support Programs

• Sibling programs
• Multi-generational play days
• Support groups and counseling
• Programs at synagogues, Jewish schools and camps

Phone: 1-866-287-8030
E-mail: Hamercaz@jfsla.org

Learn about non-sectarian and Jewish camps for your child this summer - click here for more information!

Thursday, March 19, 2009 7:00-9:00 pm
The Jewish Federation Goldsmith Center,
Goren Conf. Room,
6505 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 90048

Public Benefits for Children with Disabilities and Special Needs
with Disability Rights California (formerly PAI, Inc.)
Marilyn Holle, Hillary Sklar and Timothy Poe—Attorneys-at-Law

At this informative discussion and training, parents and caregivers will gather information about public benefits such as SSI, Social Security, IHSS, and Medi-Cal and learn how to navigate the agencies that administer them.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009 7:00-9:00 pm
The Jewish Federation Goldsmith Center,
Goren Conf. Room,
6505 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 90048

A Holistic Approach to Feeding Children with Special Needs
with Debra Rabin, MS, OTR/L

Learn to look at feeding from a holistic approach, taking various sensory, motor, behavioral, socio-emotional and cultural issues into account.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009 7:00-9:00 pm
Valley Beth Shalom Synagogue,
15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino 91436
Offered in collaboration with the VBS Family Center.

The Difference Between “Can’t” and “Won’t”: Addressing Challenging Behavior in Children with Special Needs
with Lisa Brauer, LMFT

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HaMercaz is a shared project of:
The Jewish Federation
Jewish Family Service
Bureau of Jewish Education
Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters
Jewish Vocational Service
Jewish Free Loan Association
The Etta Israel Center
The New JCC at Milken
Vista Del Mar

Funding provided by:
The Jewish Federation
The Jewish Community Foundation
Marcia Israel Foundation