(Courtesy of Makor) Makor Care and Services Network and Teaneck’s Congregation Rinat Yisrael are hosting their second annual inclusive minyan for people with specialized needs, their families, friends and fans. The minyan will take place on the seventh day of Chanukah, Sunday morning, December 25, at 9 a.m. at Congregation Rinat Yisrael.
“So many people with specialized needs are excluded from davening with a minyan because they might appear to others to be disruptive, either because of the sounds they make or because they need to walk around a bit, or because they might need a little extra attention,” said Dr. Stephen Glicksman, director of clinical innovation at Makor and a member of Congregation Rinat Yisrael. “Others may attend shul but haven’t been offered an aliyah since their bar mitzvah. There may be families that rarely have the opportunity to daven together. This minyan aims to give everyone, with and without specialized needs, boys and girls, men and women, the opportunity to pray together in a welcoming, accessible, sensory-aware atmosphere.”
Rabbi Chaim Strauchler, rabbi of Congregation Rinat Yisrael, said: “We are excited to join Makor in hosting an Inclusive Chanukah Minyan for families with specialized needs. We strive to make all our services open to everyone—but we know that a regular service can be challenging. Chanukah is about spreading awareness for the small miracles. There are miracles in each of our lives. We often just need to be helped to see them. May this special davening opportunity help all of us do so just a little more.”
“Last year’s minyan was a great success,” added Glicksman. “We even had to start moving the mechitza around to make more space for people. Jeff Braverman’s davening is always beautiful and we are thrilled to have him back as our baal tefillah. Of course, he is more than willing to share the spotlight, and if anyone has a specific part of the service they would like to take part in, they should make sure to register so we can plan accordingly.”
The minyan is open to everyone at all levels of ability. Registration is not required but is strongly suggested to ensure that everyone’s needs are properly met. To register visit www.rinat.org/form/inclusive-minyan or call Makor at 718-853-0900.
