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Disability Inclusion

Legacy of Lila/מורשת לילה

In support of CJDS’s mission and vision, the Moreshet Lila Initiative will seek, as opportunities and resources permit, to:

  • Expand our umbrella to enable CJDS families the opportunity for siblings with a broad spectrum of needs to attend the same school as one community for their family, inclusive of all their children.
  • Build a school community that is a model of inclusive education. Our goal is to include all CJDS students to the extent possible in the classroom and provide individualized support and services to achieve that goal.
  • Expand internal team and expertise to ensure students and teachers are fully and meaningfully supported to implement this vision.
  • Provide supports, professional development opportunities, and pathways that support the professional growth of the CJDS staff within this realm.
  • Develop partnerships with relevant organizations in the Jewish and surrounding community and beyond who share the inclusive education vision towards economies of scale, shared resources, and advancement of excellence and access.

Pilot Inclusion Initiative

To catalyze this mission, CJDS is currently conducting a school/academic pilot initiative in partnership with Jen Newton, PhD, Associate Professor, Ohio University Patton College of Education. This includes teacher training, student training, and specialized support grounded in the principles of inclusive education. This initial step is foundational to the achievement of the more ambitious agenda of the Moreshet Lila Initiative @ CJDS.

Moreshet Lila is seeking support to achieve its mission including funding for:

● Moreshet Lila Initiative Director
● Special Educators
● Paraprofessional supports
● Team of therapists
● Sensory and adaptive equipment
● Development of pull-out spaces for therapies and sensory regulation
● Teacher training, professional development, and coaching
● Development of curricular materials that embody the integrated principles of inclusive excellence and Jewish values
● Infrastructure to host an inclusive excellence hub in partnership with other Chicago-based Jewish organizations

Moreshet (Legacy of) Lila is an initiative of CJDS dedicated to the memory of Lila Weinzweig, a CJDS great-grandparent and a passionate Jewish educator who was a lifelong champion of Jewish engagement and education, with multigenerational impact.

Our goal is to expand our umbrella to enable CJDS families the opportunity for siblings with a broad spectrum of needs to attend the same school as one community for their family, inclusive of all of  their children.

Moreshet Lila Event Recap

This past June, people from all over our community came to Chicago Jewish Day School to for the Moreshet Lila (Legacy of Lila) Inclusion Event, an initiative named in loving memory of Lila Weinzweig, z”l. The Moreshet Lila Initiative was designed to keep families together and currently supports two students with developmental disabilities, who remain in the classroom for the majority of the day, learning and playing alongside their peers.

Many thanks to our speakers of the evening: Stacy Raviv (Past President), Shira Wakschlag and Eli Rosenblatt (CJDS parents and Inclusion Task Force members), Jennie Robins (Inclusion Coordinator), Jen Newton (Inclusion Consultant), and Judy Finkelstein-Taff (Head of School). We also owe immense gratitude to Laurie (daughter of Lila Weinzweig, z"l) and Milton Wakschlag, as well as the Inclusion Task Force, and the Moreshet Lila Event Committee for their support in making this such a special event. Last but not least, thank you to CJDS Grandparent Linda Neiman and Zelda’s Catering for being our fantastic event sponsor.