River Edge—For over 25 years, Jewish Education for Special Children, or JESC as it has become known, has been a haven for parents of students who cannot send their kids to a formal yeshiva education. Before many current programs existed, JESC offered special education locally, providing a Sunday academic Jewish environment that would cater its curriculum to the specific needs of each student.
Last year, longtime JESC president Jackie Feigenbaum announced that he was stepping down and that JESC needed new leadership. JESC was facing then significant challenges both on the fundraising side and in the areas of public relations and community awareness.
When he called a meeting with current and former parents last year, one thing was clear: JESC would continue. The question was how to make that a reality.
The new board looked at joining with other programs. “The goal was to make sure we have an academic-based program for our children,” said Moshe Kinderlehrer, current JESC president, a JESC parent for many years and also the co-publisher of the Jewish Link. “Some students can read Hebrew, some come for the Jewish knowledge, but this education is something that JESC has always offered and will continue to do so,” he continued.
The JESC board members wanted to find an existing program that could bring the structure of the JESC program to its schedule. When Kinderlehrer and Shirley Bitton, another JESC parent, approached Rabbi Moshe and Mrs. Zeesy Grossbaum, they were immediately interested in joining forces. The Grossbaums run the Friendship Circle of Bergen County, and already are involved in the management of seven to ten programs. “We could not imagine there not being this kind of a program as an option,” said Zeesy Grossbaum.
The Grossbaums have been impressed with everyone involved with the initiative. They are excited about the people they hired to oversee the program: A clinical director, Nancy Brophy, will develop a customized behavior plan for each child, while Shternie Ritzman, MSEd, will serve as the educational director. Grossbaum also praises the Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey, who has hosted the program for many years, and continues to be “gracious with their space, and the use of the building.” Grossbaum continued, “We have a fabulous team, and we are really looking forward to this new program.”
Bitton explained that from the start, the number one objective when looking for a group to run the JESC program, was that they “continue the opportunity for Jewish education that our children do not receive in school.”
Grossbaum and Kinderlehrer are both encouraged by the great response from parents. To help defray the cost of tuition, parents are encouraged to participate in the September Friendship Walk, where the money raised for their participation can help go towards the tuition.
The closing of this chapter in JESC is bittersweet for everyone involved. Kinderlehrer stressed that the board members who were active in JESC continue to orchestrate the transition and have no doubt that the Friendship Circle will bring a new addition to the community. “It is an emotional time, for the founders and parents alike,” he said.
Kinderlehrer praised the Grossbaums’ enthusiasm and the professionalism with which they are planning the program for the coming year. “Friendship Circle and the Grossbaums rose to the occasion. They will be offering the strengths of JESC combined with the activities Friendship Circle is already known for. This gives them the opportunity to further serve the community as they have looked to do for so long.”
By Jenny Gans
