Gateways: Access To Jewish Education

Gateways provides high quality special education services, expertise and support to enable students with diverse learning needs to succeed in Jewish educational settings and participate meaningfully in Jewish life. Our Vision Every Jewish student, regardless of ability, will have access to quality Jewish education and the opportunity to participate meaningfully in Jewish life. What is Gateways? Gateways is the central agency for the education of children and teens with disabilities in Greater Boston. Our work covers day schools, congregational and community schools, preschools and our stand-alone programs. We are the broadest disability-focused educational organization in the North American Jewish community: No other metropolitan area has an organization that works on Jewish education and inclusion as comprehensively as Gateways does. Gateways focuses on the issue of inclusion in the Jewish community from many angles because we recognize that it is a complex endeavor, and we cannot succeed with a single approach. We work on many fronts to ensure that the doors to the Jewish community are open to children and families, and that when people walk through those doors, schools, congregations, organizations and individuals have the skills and confidence to welcome them in and meet their needs. Values Inclusion: We welcome people of all backgrounds and abilities and promote understanding and empathy. Empowerment: We provide our students with the knowledge and skills they need to be full participants in the Jewish community. Collaboration: We work closely with like-minded partners to ensure that there is a place for every child in the Jewish community. Respect: We presume the competence of everyone we encounter. Quality: We deliver expertise, service and support that are innovative and reflect current best practices. Passion: We approach our work with enthusiasm, creativity and pride.