Education and acceptance for every Jewish child.
Opening The Doors builds an inclusive education for Jewish students of all abilities and the communities that support them. Since 1995, our nationally recognized program has opened the doors of opportunity for over 1200 children annually, allowing them to belong and succeed within Jewish educational spaces. Working alongside community partners, we create educational initiatives, increase awareness, and strengthen community connections to build a unified and supportive environment where children of all needs can thrive.
Opening the Doors helps families fulfill their dreams of a Jewish education for their child by ensuring children are seen and accepted, despite the disability they have, and are treated like everyone else, working toward their potential.
Opening the Doors helps families fulfill their dreams of a Jewish education for their child by ensuring children are seen and accepted, despite the disability they have, and are treated like everyone else, working toward their potential.
School-Based Services
Learning Abilities Program (Psychoeducational Evaluations)
Free diagnostic psychoeducational evaluations for eligible families (eligibility is not based on financial need). Assessment findings help shape the student’s educational plan.
Doors to the Future
(Early Intervention)
Early intervention support for preschool students with learning, social, emotional, or behavioral needs. Short-term paraeducators offer one-on-one help and partner with OTD staff to build individualized learning plans.
School Inclusion Program
Provides full-time, one-on-one support for qualifying students with significant learning differences and abilities. Helps higher-needs learners actively participate in mainstream classrooms.
Educational Navigation
An advocate who helps families get academic, social, or emotional support for their child. The education navigator connects families to school accommodations, evaluations, and community resources, coordinating support across home, school, and community.
School-Based Services
Learning Abilities Program (Psychoeducational Evaluations)
Free diagnostic psychoeducational evaluations for eligible families (eligibility is not based on financial need). Assessment findings help shape the student’s educational plan.
Doors to the Future
(Early Intervention)
Early intervention support for preschool students with learning, social, emotional, or behavioral needs. Short-term paraeducators offer one-on-one help and partner with OTD staff to build individualized learning plans.
School Inclusion Program
Provides full-time, one-on-one support for qualifying students with significant learning differences and abilities. Helps higher-needs learners actively participate in mainstream classrooms.
Educational Navigation
An advocate who helps families get academic, social, or emotional support for their child. The education navigator connects families to school accommodations, evaluations, and community resources, coordinating support across home, school, and community.
Community Partnership & Engagement Programs
Harold Wade Madrichim Leadership Institute
A paid teen program for grades 8–12 that helps participants build, strengthen, and develop their essential leadership skills and teaches them how to engage effectively with children of all abilities.
Professional Development
Professional development workshops for educators on education, behavior, and mental health topics, helping teachers more effectively support all learners.
Efshar Circle
An Opening the Doors and Friendship Circle collaborative Sunday school.
Special Educators Network
Provides funding to help schools hire master’s-level special educators to support students of all abilities.
The Anita Naftaly Family Circle Conference
An annual community conference with renowned speakers providing strategies and resources for educators, families and health professionals.
JDAIM Events
Opening the Doors hosts movie and speaker events in the local community in celebration of Jewish Disability Awareness & Inclusion Month. JDAIM unites Jewish communities to raise awareness and champion the rights of Jews with disabilities, to be respected, valued, and included in all aspects of Jewish community life.
ReelAbilities
International film screenings celebrating the stories of neurodiverse actors and other artists.
programs or services
programs or services
Jewish Family Service provides support and programs for the Jewish community, including these services and more:
- Basic Needs Support
- Geriatric Care Management
- Holocaust Survivor Services
- Counseling
- Domestic Abuse Intervention
- Kosher Meals on Wheels
Please contact us so you can get started on finding the solutions that work best for you and your family.
In addition to specific programs and opportunities for the frum community, you can also receive support through these JFS services and more:
- Basic Needs Support
- Geriatric Care Management
- Holocaust Survivor Services
- Counseling
- Domestic Abuse Intervention
- Kosher Meals on Wheels
Please contact us so you can get started on finding the solutions that work best for you and your family.