The Etgar program of the JECC provides supplemental religious education (Sunday and Hebrew school) to Jewish students in the greater Cleveland area who are not able to learn in the regular congregational setting due to a variety of special needs. Our mission is a simple one: to provide quality Jewish education to all special education students in the greater Cleveland area who so desire it.

For children with severe special needs, Etgar is often the only religious school option available in our area. These needs may include severe developmental delays, learning disabilities, autism, attention disorders, and behavioral issues. Etgar currently serves over 20 students from a consortium of 10 area synagogues. The students range in age from 6 to 18 years. Etgar classes, led by highly qualified special education teachers, provide the structure, materials and teaching format crucial for a successful religious school experience. The classes are held in several different synagogues in Cleveland during the regular religious school hours. When appropriate, Etgar students join their peers in whole school assemblies and workshops.

Our present course of study on Sundays includes an Etgar Torah curriculum entitled, “Highlights of the Torah”. Using appropriate accommodations for the various learning styles and abilities, Etgar students study excerpts from genesis and Exodus. The “Highlights” curriculum this year focuses on our Jewish matriarchs and patriarchs of Genesis. The focus of the 2005-2006 Exodus curriculum will be the Revelation of the Torah at Sinai, and the Ten Commandments and Mitzvot. In addition, all Jewish holidays of the school year are reviewed and applicable blessings and rituals are taught. Because our students come from Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform backgrounds, we are especially careful to represent the varied ways Jews observe the Torah and mitzvoth.

The goal of our Thursday Hebrew program is to familiarize our students with the typical prayers of the Shabbat morning service in order for them to be comfortable and active members of their home congregations. The class is divided into small groups to work on the acquisition of the aleph bet and decoding from an Etgar siddur (prayer book). Holiday songs supplement weekly prayer instruction. Etgar always strives to present religious information and prayer in a multi-denominational manner.

Special activities and celebrations in the Etgar school year include a Hannukah party, a faculty Purim shpiel, participating in a Mitzvah Day, leading the congregation in the kabbalat Shabbat (Friday evening), occasional field trip, Kiddush at one of the area synagogues. Some of our students celebrate their birthdays by sharing a visit to their home synagogues with their classmates. We end the school year with the Adam Green Memorial Family Brunch and Awards Ceremony.

By providing the Etgar program, the JECC is able to support Cleveland area special needs students and their families with the kind of Jewish communal/religious experience that their siblings and friends receive. Etgar sends a clear message to its families that they are a welcome and valuable component of the greater Cleveland Jewish community.