CELEBRATE THE JEWISH HOLIDAYS!
THE CELEBRATIONS PROGRAM FOR
older TEENS AND ADULTS WITH disabilities
AND THEIR FAMILIES
Would your teen or adult with special needs enjoy a way to experience the Jewish holidays in a family-friendly environment? If so, you and your family are invited to join us for eight sessions celebrating the Jewish holidays through art, music, movement, and story. We have interfaith families as well as families who are new or returning to Judaism.
(Be sure to select “Celebrations” from the Designation drop down menu - thank you!)
Everyone is welcome!
As we begin our 20th year, sessions will take place in person and outdoors. Sessions are around 2¼ hours.
Our home shul is Congregation Ner Shalom, though membership in Ner Shalom is not required to participate. We will meet in Ner Shalom’s outdoor courtyard or indoor sanctuary if the weather is an issue. Rabbi Irwin Keller, our Spiritual Leader, brings 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 in private practice with a background in music therapy.
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 2026-2027
All gatherings start 11:30 AM unless otherwise noted
Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur
Sunday, Sept. 6
Sukkot
Sunday, Sept. 27
Hanukkah
Sunday, Dec. 6
Tu B’Shvat
Sunday, Jan 24, 2027
Purim
Sunday, Mar. 21
Tastes of Passover
Sunday, Apr. 25
Lag B’Omer/Dance Party
Sunday, May 16
Havdallah with the Horses
at Renaissance Healing and Learning Center
Summer 2027 TBA
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 appreciate a donation of $150 per family. If that amount isn’t possible, please give whatever works for you. And if you’re able, consider giving more!
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!
