Kulanu graduates with HAFTR

By Malka Eisenberg

Issue of July 3, 2009 / 11 Tammuz 5769

In a show of unity and continuity, four Kulanu Torah Academy students joined with their HAFTR peers for a joint graduation ceremony at Cong. Beth Sholom on June 15, where HAFTR alumni parents and grandparents assisted in awarding diplomas.

“It was a very moving graduation,” said HAFTR’s Director of Development, Michelle Segelnick. “The connection with Kulanu, shared with HAFTR and Kulanu students, teaches HAFTR students that there are people out there that are not like themselves and to be sensitive. How great the Kulanu student feels in a mainstream program and that they are included! When Kulanu students get high-fived by other kids it gives them a sense of belonging and inclusion that they would not get anywhere else.”

Kulanu was founded in 2000 to assist parents of children with disabilities. It serves those with special needs in cultural, educational and social settings fostering inclusion, support and advocating for this population.

“As part of the inclusion programs, four Kulanu students participated along with their classmates from HAFTR in graduation ceremonies,” said Dr. Beth Raskin, dean and executive director of Kulanu.  “Jordan Schoenfeld received a standing ovation from the audience as he accepted congratulations from Rabbi Sholom Fried, coordinator of Kulanu’s middle school program. Hakarat hatov is always accorded to HAFTR in its partnership with Kulanu to provide inclusion services... The students and faculty from both programs benefit from the relationship.”

Jeffrey Schonfeld, Jordan’s father, expressed his gratitude toward the two institutions. “We are so thankful to Kulanu and HAFTR for offering Jordan the opportunity to learn in an integrated setting,” he said. “Jordan excelled beyond expectations in this unique program and we are grateful that he was chosen to receive an award recognizing his accomplishments.”

The Kulanu High School program at HAFTR also graduated along with HAFTR High School on Wednesday, June 24. Some Kulanu students graduated with Regents and IEP (Individual Education Program) diplomas, while others will continue in a vocational program until the age of 21, said Raskin.  The program, she noted, “is unique to New York State, unique to the community.”

“We recognize Kulanu as part of our program at graduation and not a separate entity,” emphasized Rabbi Dovid Kupchik, HAFTR middle school principal. “They walk down and sit with the HAFTR graduates. It was very meaningful and appropriate.”

The Kulanu-HAFTR symbiosis is “excellent,” said Kupchik. “It’s a win-win situation. The HAFTR students are learning at an early age to be sensitive to kids with special needs and the Kulanu students benefit from being in a Yeshiva building and participating in many programs and classes and daily Tefilla (prayers). Both parties recognize the benefits and the need.  HAFTR is a community school and is showing it.”

Though this was Kulanu’s sixth graduation with HAFTR, the yeshiva began a “new tradition” at the ceremony this year, noted Segelnick. “We gave the alumni parents and grandparents the opportunity to present their graduates with diplomas.” She said that out of the 99 graduates, there were 34 alumni parents and 4 alumni grandparents. “That such a large group of alumni come back and send their children is an impressive statistic,” she said. “It’s definitely a vote of confidence.”