Blog

Welcome to the Snoezelen Room, a new hotspot and enrichment at Knapp School & Yeshiva that is designed to stimulate all the senses while foster a feeling of relaxation among students.

For the past 5 years, JCFS TDS’ vocational program has had the pleasure of partnering with a local candy store, Mini Man Monkey Brains.  Founded by Gloria and Jim Iverson, Mini Man Monkey Brains is a place close to their hearts.  The candy shop provides a place for young adults on the Autism spectrum (and who have varying abilities) a place to practice and implement work expectations. 

Congratulations to all the teen participants and adult leaders on another successful Operation Snowball 2019! At the end of February teens from across Chicagoland came together to participate in Operation Snowball, our annual winter teen retreat planned entirely by teens.

Rabbi David M. Rosenberg, Coordinator, Jewish Educational Services, JCFS Chicago Therapeutic Yeshiva reflects on Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month and the opportunities for success the JCFS Chicago Therapeutic Day School & Yeshiva create for students whose potential to achieve has been hindered by their emotional disability. 

Looking for ideas to cure cabin fever?  Here are 10 ways to make the most of the long winter days.

The winter months are a great time to master kids’ dressing skills. With the addition of coats, sweaters, and vests to the daily dressing routine there are many opportunities to practice managing fasteners including snaps, zippers, and buttons

Like many things in the world, life happens by chance, but with purpose. Igor Litvak, a HIAS Immigration & Citizenship caseworker recently recalled such an experience at the volunteer driven workshop he attended to assist Russian speaking Holocaust survivors. They were filing for restitution for the suffering they endured during WWII.

Welcome to our new Bulldog Bulletin where we share the endlessly wonderful things our students, teachers and staff do here everyday! Read our first issue, Bulldog Bulletin February 2019, Volume 1.

Multiple TDS classrooms came together to learn about Martin Luther King Jr. and joined forces to honor his legacy in a unique way to help immigrants in Chicago as part of an agency-wide Martin Luther King Day commemoration project.

Children and teens are spending more and more time playing video games online with their friends. For most, this is a positive experience, allowing them to communicate with others even when they are unable to physically be with them. This is particularly true for people with difficulty spending time with others in-person, like those with major depressive disorder, autism spectrum disorder and social anxiety disorder.  

This unconventional method of communication is helpful in fostering connections while building the skills and confidence necessary to interact face-to-face. Although steps should be taken to ensure children’s safety online, online video games are a large part of the lives of young people and should be recognized as a source of social support.