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Making Disability Inclusion a Priority in the Twin Cities for 25 Years!
About Us:
Welcome to Sha’arim + Gateways!
For over 25 years, we’ve been champions of disability inclusion in the Twin Cities Jewish Community. Our goal is simple: to make our community as inclusive as possible for everyone.
Here’s what we do:
Our goal is to make sure that every person in our community has a meaningful Jewish experience. We understand that disabilities come in many different forms; visible, invisible, high and low need for support. We partner with schools, synagogues, temples, and community organizations to create opportunities for individuals with disabilities of any kind to participate fully in Jewish life, regardless of age.
We recognize that the need for support can look different for each person, and can change over time. We start providing support as young as pre-school and continue to shift and evolve with participants and their families to meet their needs for as long as they need. We’re here to support individual needs of any kind.
As the only Jewish cross-denominational organization in the Twin Cities, we’re proud to work with organizations across the Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox communities. We believe in supporting each individual’s unique Jewish journey.
We’re here to help and excited to have you on this journey with us! We invite you to join us in creating a Jewish community where everyone belongs!
For more information about our programs for youth, adults, and families affected by disability, check out our Programs tab!
Looking for community resources, facilitator support, or training? Explore our Community Inclusion Resources tab!
Our Organizational Mission:
We are helping to build an inclusive world by reframing our understanding of disabilities.
Mission:
At Sha’arim, our focus within the mission of inclusion is to bring awareness to the experience of our community members with disabilities of all kinds, and to actively work to improve the richness of our relationships and connectedness as a Jewish community. Our philosophy highlights the value inherent in every person, and the strength in embracing diversity at all ages and stages.
Vision:
As we support the Twin Cities Jewish community in becoming a self-sustaining, inclusive community, it is through a focus on the understanding of, and commitment to, the communal responsibility of disability inclusion.
Goal:
Our goal is to strengthen our community through collaboration, education, relationship building, and the facilitation of accessible and inclusive opportunities.
Our commitment is to help empower and inform a Jewish community that amplifies the voices of people with disabilities, provides access, embraces diversity, and fosters belonging for all.
Our History:
We’re thrilled about the journey we’ve taken at Sha’arim + Gateways! From the very beginning, we’ve been committed to staying connected to our community and evolving alongside your needs and interests.
It all started in 1999 when a group of parents in our Jewish community recognized that their children who learn differently, also deserve a meaningful Jewish education. While our initial focus was on providing special education support in mainstream Jewish schools, our mission has grown and expanded over the years.
Today, guided by the vision of ensuring a rich Jewish experience for all, Sha’arim + Gateways has become a comprehensive agency for disability inclusion in the Twin Cities. By listening to you, our community members, we’ve been able to broaden our services to meet new and evolving needs.
Our services now include:
Our ultimate goal is to ensure that every member of our Jewish community feels happy and engaged. With your ongoing support, we’re excited to continue this journey together!