Nearly 100 members of Rabbi Sharon Brous’ Los Angeles IKAR congregation recently spent a transformative afternoon—at the Westside Jewish Community Center—learning about the inner world of autistic teens who are nonverbal.
This memorable-learning experience was made possible through a one-of-a-kind program called the Moses-Aaron Cooperative. Created by Jackie Redner—an ordained, conservative rabbi who currently serves as the Rabbi in Residence for Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services—the program pairs teens on the autism spectrum who are nonverbal, with peers who speak on their behalf. Redner was inspired to create the program—which is part of the Vista Inspire Program at Vista Del Mar—after working with several nonverbal adolescents who were participating 
in Vista Del Mar’s Nes Gadol program. Nes Gadol is a Bar/Bat Mitzvah training program for youngsters with autism and other special needs.
The event featured six, nonverbal teens who were each paired with a speaking peer—many of whom are members of Inspired Teens—a teen-created and teen-run organization that raises funds for kids with autism spectrum disorder and other special needs. Inspired Teens is an offshoot of the Vista Inspire Program. Directed by Elaine Hall who also created the Miracle Project, the Vista Inspire Program serves children with autism spectrum disorder and other special needs through several therapeutic, after-school programs focusing on dance, drama, voice, music, musical theatre, and religious education.
As part of the Moses-Aaron Cooperative presentation, the speaking teens shared moving insights that the nonverbal teens had communicated by either pointing to letters or typing on a computer. For example, through his “Aaron,” student Ido Kedar told the assembled audience: “Talking is nearly impossible for me. Thinking is not. If I try to speak, will you try to believe that I can think? I am quiet verbally, but my index finger can point to letters and type. In this way, I am a free soul.” The program additionally featured musical performances by Vista Del Mar’s multi-ethnic, residential choir and students from Vista’s Nes Gadol program. The presentation concluded with a question-and-answer session.
Those who attended the recent program were profoundly moved. In an e-mail to Redner, IKAR’s Director of Children and Family Education Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal wrote, “We are so blessed and thankful that you and your students shared your wisdom and Torah with us. It was an extraordinary and inspiring afternoon.” A similar sentiment was expressed by Rabbi Brous: “It was beautiful today, and is such a blessing for our community to get to know your amazing students. They have taught us some very deep Torah.”
The next Moses-Aaron Cooperative presentation is scheduled for June 5th at Vista Del Mar, followed by a June 11 presentation at Los Angeles’ Sinai Temple. Those interested in bringing the Moses-Aaron Cooperative to their community should contact Rabbi Jackie Redner at JackieRedner@vistadelmar.org or (310) 836-1223 ext. 209.
For additional information, visit http://www.vistadelmar.org.
