Supporting Neurodivergent Learners
Jewish LearningWorks believes that all children deserve to be welcomed, included and embraced by the Jewish community regardless of individual needs or learning style.
These following services are available for Bay Area Jewish institutions, including preschools, synagogue programs, day schools, camps, and other Jewish educational settings.
2025-2026 Accessibility & Inclusion Workshops with Matan
For Bay Area educators, lay leaders, and other Jewish communal professionals working toward systemic inclusion
We are pleased to partner with Matan, a national leader in creating inclusive Jewish communities, to host 5 virtual, drop-in workshops designed to help educators actively support and include neurodivergent children in their learning spaces. From differentiated instruction, to understanding autism, and anxiety in children, we’ll learn about best practices and advancements in the field of accessibility and inclusion. The virtual workshops will run from October 2025 to March 2026.
Customized Inclusion Training
Explore our catalog of workshops to find high-caliber special needs inclusion training for your team. These workshops are taught by our vetted roster of presenters, who are able to customize their offerings to meet your needs. Search for inclusion workshops in our catalog, and contact the presenters directly to arrange a training.
Sensory Tools for Learners of All Ages
For the 2025-26 school year, we are inviting Bay Area Jewish educational settings to apply for a microgrant to purchase new sensory tools, or to fund initiatives that support inclusion. These microgrants are available on a rolling bases. Projects must be completed by June 2026.
Clinical Student Observations
Student observations can support teachers better understand and address the needs of neurodivergent students, and can result in recommendations, accommodations, or next steps for collaboration to help them thrive in the classroom. Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, Jewish LearningWorks will refer educators seeking clinical observation to Jewish Family and Children’s Services in San Francisco.
For more information about these services and resources for Jewish educators, please contact Ellen Lefkowitz, Senior Educator, at ellen@jewishlearning.works.
Videos About Special Needs Inclusion
Special Needs 101 & Navigating Difficult Conversations
David Neufeld, PhD. In this video series, David Neufeld introduces the concept of differentiated instruction, speaks about ADHD in children, the autism spectrum, sensory challenges, navigating difficult conversation with caregivers, and more.
Introduction to Sensory Tools: How to Choose and Present Them
Alison Sorscher, MA, introduces sensory tools, and explores how and when to use them with children in educational settings.
This video series was made possible by generous support of the Boussina family.