When Rabbi Shabse Werther thinks back to the beginnings of Keshet of Wisconsin, the program he founded for special needs children, he remembers it as simply “miraculous.”
That is because the formation of Keshet allows children with special needs to experience the benefits of a Jewish education that were otherwise unavailable to them.
Now a program of Jewish Family Services, Keshet provides tailored resources so that special needs children can participate in Jewish camps, day schools and Sunday school programs.
And in the 10 years since Keshet was formed, “so many kids have been helped in so many ways,” Werther said.
“Many children [served in the program] were told they couldn’t read English, let alone Hebrew,” Werther said. But with the help of Keshet, some children were able to learn both.
Keshet will celebrate its first 10 years of service with the “Decade of Dedication” event, which will be held on Wednesday, March 29, 6:30 p.m., at the Joseph & Rebecca Peltz Center for Jewish Life in Mequon.
The event will honor Keshet’s educational leaders, principals and program directors.
Formerly a teacher at Hillel Academy and Yeshiva Elementary School, Werther organized Keshet after meeting with several parents who wanted the option to send their children to Jewish day schools.
And though early on, Keshet faced challenges, “somehow they never seemed insurmountable,” Werther said.
Werther remained executive director of Keshet for four years, after which he returned to his teaching career. He remained involved in the program until last year, when he moved to Norfolk, Va., where he is principal of a Jewish day school.
‘The beauty of Keshet’
Flora Abramson served as Keshet executive director for five years, beginning in 2000.
“The beauty of Keshet,” said Abramson, is that each child’s support is tailor-made to suit his or her particular needs. “Each child has their own aide or assistant.”
Prior to establishment of the program, said Abramson, “nobody knew how far these children could go…. Nobody knew because no one had ever offered this to them.”
In 2000, Keshet joined JFS. “That was a natural step,” Werther said. “We were providing a service for families and that was what JFS was all about.”
Joining with JFS “provided such a wealth of strength for our program,” said Jody Margolis, who has been Keshet’s education director since 2000.
“We’ve learned an amazing amount,” she said. “We have also been able to build strong relationships with the principals and schools. They welcome us…. The schools don’t see these kids as ‘Keshet’ kids,” she said.
“Other kids in the classroom aren’t really aware there is a special student in the class,” said Sylvan Leabman, president and CEO of JFS.
“This program provides a level of service to the school and to the children, which allows them to be integrated into the classroom,” he said.
Over the years Keshet has expanded its services to preschool age children. “Our hope now is to start expanding the other way,” Margolis said, by providing services for older students, which will hopefully include a vocational education program.
Currently, there are 19 Keshet students at various age levels, Leabman said. Several hundred have gone through the program. Keshet also employs 17 teachers and aides who work with students at local Jewish day schools, synagogues and camps, all with varying levels of religious observance.
The program is “all inclusive.” Leabman said. It reaches out to everybody. From that standpoint it has been really successful.”
Keshet’s annual budget is $550,000. Toward that, JFS raises $450,000 from donors, foundations, grants awards, and a community allocation from the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. The remaining $100,000 is covered by tuition.
The following educational leaders, principals and program directors will be honored: Nancy Gorens Edelman, Marge Meyers, Rabbi Philip Nadel, Dr. Doris Schneidman and Diane Wolfson, all of MJDS; Pnina Goldfarb, Ph.D., from the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center; Rivkie Spalter from the Mequon Jewish Pre-School; Rabbis Naftali Kalter and Eliezer Speiser of YES; and Janice Matulis, Melissa Mohan, and B. Devorah Shmotkin, all of Hillel Academy.
The event will include a silent auction, with items such as fine art, clothing, gift certificates, vacation packages, and more. All proceeds will go toward Keshet programming.
There will also be dairy hors d’oeuvres and a dessert reception.
The cost to attend the celebration is $60 per person. For more information, to make reservations, or to place an ad in the tribute book, call JFS at 414-390-5800.
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