CELEBRATE THE JEWISH HOLIDAYS!
THE CELEBRATIONS PROGRAM FOR
older TEENS AND ADULTS WITH disabilities
AND THEIR FAMILIES
Teens and adults with a disabilities: would you enjoy a way to experience the Jewish holidays in a family-friendly, disability-friendly environment? If so, you and your friends/family are invited to join us for eight sessions celebrating the Jewish holidays through art, music, movement, story – and food!
(Be sure to select “Celebrations” from the Designation drop down menu - thank you!)
Everyone is welcome!
In the fall of 2025, we begin our 19th year!
Celebrations sessions take place in person and outdoors in Ner Shalom’s beautiful outdoor courtyard when weather permits. Celebrations events are approximately 2¼ hours long. Ner Shalom membership is not a requirement of participation in Celebrations.
Rabbi Irwin Keller is our rabbi and spiritual leader, bringing a lifetime of song, study, and spirit to his work. Leslie Gattmann, Program Leader, is a retired special education teacher with expertise in Jewish education and Judaic arts. John Maas, Music Director, is a psychologist with a music therapy background, now in private psychotherapy practice after 36 years at Kaiser.
If you would like more information, please contact our volunteer Parent Coordinators: Jennifer Lorvick or Mary Ann Malinak at celebrations@nershalom.org.
Celebrations class dates 2025-2026
High Holy Days
Sunday, September 21, 2025 at 11:30 am
Sukkot
Sunday, October 12, 2025 at 2:00 pm
Chanukah
Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 11:30 am
Tu Bishvat
Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 11:30 am
Purim
Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 11:30 am
A Taste of Passover
Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 2 pm
Lag BaOmer/Day Dance Party
Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 11:30 am
Havdalah with the Horses
Summer date and time TBA
Renaissance Healing and Learning Center
gratitude from a participant
In many other settings, our son is treated like the elephant in the room, but at Celebrations and at other Ner Shalom events, like Pesach seder, he is calm, happy and getting so much out of being part of what is going on. He can't express this verbally, but you can all see the delight and joy in his face being with the Celebrations students marching around the shul with the Torah and in every other wonderful activity offered at Ner Shalom.
Support Celebrations!
We request a donation of $100 per family, or any amount that works for your family at this time, more if you can.
We are always looking for generous individual donors and foundations to help support this deeply meaningful model program. Be sure to let us know if you know such a potential donor!
Checks can be mailed to Congregation Ner Shalom, 85 La Plaza, Cotati, CA 94931.
To donate online, click the button below! (Be sure to select “Celebrations” as the designation from the drop down menu.)
Thank you!
