Menucha Ensures All are Included (Purchase Tickets for Sukkos Concert Featuring Benny Friedman & Ari Goldwag at Bottom of Article)

By BJLife/Rabbi Aryeh Richter, Executive Director, MENUCHA
Posted on 09/23/18

Baltimore, MD - Sept. 6, 2018 - Having a child with a disability is life altering. The child with special needs faces a life that is vastly different than one could have imagined, making it harder to do things that we take for granted - even something as simple as making friends. The lives of every member in the child’s family are forever altered.

Every parent has their unique feelings to describe how they experience menucha; for some menucha is an opportunity to sleep a bit late on a Sunday morning, for another it’s a day at a resort and for a third person it will mean something yet entirely different. However, ask a local parent of a child with special needs- “What is Menucha” and you will quite certainly get the same answer.  Menucha means an opportunity for my child to make friends while spending quality time in a frum atmosphere learning about the parsha, yomim tovim and other Jewish values. Menucha means I can relax a bit while knowing my child is in good hands. Menucha means we can do homework with our typical children without interruption. Menucha means I am not alone- I have a shoulder to lean on and someone to talk to.

For close to twenty years, Menucha- a local organization has been supporting an ever-expanding range of services to children with special needs and their families.  These services include weekday and Shabbos respite care, informational resources that highlight available funds and services, support groups, Shabbatons, a Gemach for therapeutic equipment, in-home care-taking and numerous other services that families need. Menucha constantly has their finger on the pulse and grows along with the needs of the community.

This past year Menucha has made some extraordinary progress in order to raise the bar yet one more notch.

• In September of 2017 Menucha moved into a new facility which has provided unprecedented opportunities for growth and expansion. This new, clean and spacious facility was enjoyed by all the participants and provided a great atmosphere for all the programs hosted around the year.   

• In November, Menucha adopted and revitalized Sunday Funday, infusing it with new energy. With moving the program to our new spacious facility and providing a top quality staff, it was rejuvenated in to one of Menucha’s most vibrant programs yet! In this program the children are picked up from Gesher LaTorah (CJE) and transported to Menucha for a well-structured, fun afternoon of activities. This allows parents to reclaim their much needed time on Sundays while providing the participants with a healthy atmosphere.

• In January, Menucha introduced the Mishmar program for the older, more advanced boys. This program means so much to the group of boys who come weekly to experience tailor made shuirim and fun social activities. For some of these boys, this is the only formal learning program they have all week. The feedback from the boys and their parents has been wonderful!

These are in addition to the myriad programs and services that have been operational prior to this year. These programs include the evening after-school program, school break mini-camps, shabbos and summer visits, evenings out for parents, informational services and advocacy and much more- all which Menucha is constantly growing and improving!

So next time you think Menucha, think of a cherished gift for a child with special needs and his or her family.

In order for Menucha to continue providing these wonderful services, they rely on the support of the community. The good news is that right now you can support the organization while experiencing a most enjoyable night out on Chol Hamoed Sukkos. Click here for details of Menucha’s annual concert which is featuring Benny Freidman and Ari Goldwag this year.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Gmar Chasima Tovah