With Kravitz as facilitator, it meets monthly at Jewish Community Services in Oakland and is made possible by a grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of the Jewish Federation of the Greater East Bay. The group, which varies from six to 12 participants, is open to all parents of Jewish children with special needs. The group was originally led by Annie Volk, who died in April. Kravitz took over in September. Kravitz says that since everyone in the group is dealing with similar problems, participants can be open and honest.
People can talk about things that seem very inappropriate in other settings.
And like any Jewish group it has its own brand of humor. We can laugh at things that feel very alien to other people. But for her daughter, who has a mild developmental disability as well as a learning disability, there is no taking anything for granted. She needs facilitation with every aspect of life. Being part of a Jewish community where education and academic success are valued so highly, compounds these problems.