Supporting special-needs children

Assemblymen Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Beach) and Phillip Goldfeder (D-Far Rockaway) visited the Kulanu Academy for special-needs children in Cedarhurst on Feb. 24, observing classrooms and speaking with school administrators.
Kaminsky and Goldfeder visited the school as part of Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month. It was the first year that the school planned events to mark the February event. The month was created through the efforts of the Consortium of Jewish Special Educators in 2009 in order to recognize and increase awareness of the needs, strengths, opportunities and challenges of people with disabilities in Jewish communities nationwide.
The school wanted to honor the month by celebrating the abilities of children with challenges, according to Amy Eisenberg, the director of Kulanu’s Parent Advocacy and Resource Center.
“This year, we hosted a KidPix program and also included a visit from politicians,” she said. “Some of our students are of voting age, so we thought inviting them to visit was a great idea.” The KidPix program was sponsored by the Nassau County Police Department. The students received a personalized identification card embedded with their information for quick access in an emergency.
In addition to the politicians’ visit and KidPix program, the school held a concert on Feb. 22 featuring Oneg Shemesh, a popular Israeli musician. Singer and keyboard player Michael Korins, a 21-year-old man with autism, was featured along with Shemesh.
Kaminsky said visiting the school in his assembly district provided him with a bird’s eye view of what it provides to its students. Kulanu Executive Director Beth Raskin presented the idea of building what she called a “commercial kitchen” where the students could learn skills required in the culinary arts industry that could help raise money for Kulanu.
“I think it’s a brilliant idea,” Kaminsky said. “With this kitchen idea, along with their school store, Kulanu sets the pace for how special education is taught. I want to be a part of their success and help them in any way that I can.”