Books & Bikes, a free fun-filled family event to benefit the programs at Beit Issie Shapiro (BIS), the premier facility in Israel working in the field of disabilities, takes place on Sunday, May 22, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Stephen S. Wise Temple Early Childhood Center.
Hosted by Stephen S. Wise Temple Early Childhood Center and the Cycle for Smiles Program, Books & Bikes will offer two designated book readings and signings of the newly released children’s book, A Circle of Smiles with Author and Early Childhood Educator, Sylvia Rouss, who donated the story to support the work of Beit Issie Shapiro. A Circle of Smiles was created to educate families and young children about the educational and therapeutic programs for Special Needs children in Israel.
Activities for children include free bounce houses, Cycle for Smiles tricycle course, face painting, a Kosher Snack Shack, and open playgrounds. In addition, Art Cards made by the young children of the Cycle for Smiles Program will be for sale. Families are also encouraged to bring a blanket and food to picnic on the grounds.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn about the Snoezelen method with a recreated room to showcase one of the many therapeutic measures that Beit Issie Shapiro is well known for. BIS is the pioneer and developer of the Snoezelen, a controlled multi-therapeutic method, and its use in treating children with developmental disorders and special needs. The Snoezelen method involves the setting up of a multi-sensory room – a specially adapted harmonious sensory environment, which dramatically impacts the sense of well-being of people with developmental disabilities, relaxing them, focusing them, and arousing their curiosity and exploration.
The newly released children’s book A Circle of Smiles, is available for sale for $36 at the Books and Bikes event and at www.AFOBIS.org. Rouss is the award-winning author of the Sammy Spider series and a teacher at the Early Childhood Center at Stephen B. Wise Temple. Rouss has received the National Jewish Book award for The Littlest Pair and Sydney Taylor awards for Tali’s Jerusalem Scrapbook, Sammy Spider’s First Shavuot, and Sammy Spider’s First Trip to Israel. She has over 30 books in print. Rouss is also a featured author and lecturer at book fairs throughout the United States and Israel.
For over 30 years, BIS has been changing the lives of children, adults, their families and their community. BIS is a national, multi-purpose organization that develops and provides services for children and adults with developmental disabilities. BIS has played a leading role in promoting the inclusion of people with special needs in society, and is a vigilant advocate for better legal provisions for people with special needs. BIS is raising the bench-mark in special education, treatment, and social services globally.
Books & Bikes is free to attend. Stephen S. Wise Temple Early Childhood Center is located at 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90077. For more information, please call (310) 889-2248, or email ecc@WiseLA.org.
Beit Issie Shapiro is a national, multi-purpose organization that develops and provides services for children and adults with developmental disabilities. It has played a leading role in promoting the inclusion of people with special needs in society and is a vigilant advocate for better legal provisions for and with people with special needs.
For more information: (310) 889-2248 or ecc@WiseLA.org
