By Cantor Karen Webber
Morning light spills in through large windows at Chizuk Amuno Congregation, setting aglow the vast sea of new carpeting. On this Saturday morning, we gather at the Pikesville synagogue in a large, all-purpose room with an ark.
Emma* weaves her way in and out of the chairs, avoiding touching any of them. She hums loudly as she goes by. We are about to begin morning worship services. As others come in and take their seats, I take Emma’s hands in mine, and our mutual humming gives way to “Bim Bam,” the opening song for our service.
Welcome to Kol Echad, an inclusive Shabbat service for families of children with special needs.
Kol Echad translates as everybody or each one. Our 40-minute monthly service currently travels, like the ark of old, to various synagogues of different denominations throughout the greater Baltimore area.
Emma, who is 16, has long since aged out of “Tot Shabbat” and she cannot sit at a traditional children’s or family Shabbat service. Her impulsivity and need to roam and fidget prohibit her from attending traditional worship services, which can be lengthy and demand more focus than someone with special needs can generally muster. Her parents have given up trying to attend a typical service because the possibility that she will act inappropriately is unbearable.
Many Jewish services are by the book, which works well for most worshipers. Not ours. Our siddur contains one prayer per page organized around a visual image, with Hebrew and one line of translation.
It is arranged binder-style, so we can tweak or add a page later. The siddur design encourages conversation. I frequently stop to ask and answer questions, allowing those assembled to consider different points of view.
We experience prayer — prayer that is heavily laced with melodies and movement.
A host rabbi or educator from each community welcomes us and participates in the blessings for wine and challah at the end of the service. They are also encouraged to help develop the drash (teaching component) in the middle of the service, informed by the particular Torah portion or by an upcoming holiday.
At Beth El Congregation, Dr. Eyal Bor accompanied our Chanukah songs with his clarinet. At Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, Rabbi Andrew Busch told a story of Isaac digging wells and we dug along with him at BHC. For Purim, we will hear excerpts of Megillat Esther chanted at Beth Tfiloh Congregation.
While we have “repeat customers,” we would like to grow to a roster of families who attend Kol Echad monthly. We need help in identifying families who can really benefit from this unique prayer experience. We know they may not even realize they need this type of service or how to go about finding it.
Do you know someone who would benefit?
If so, please let them know about us. Upcoming services take place on March 3 at Temple Oheb Shalom and on May 12 at Beth Israel Congregation, from 11-11:45 a.m. A kiddish and motzi will follow services. Register with Mia Aronin by calling 410-935-5171 or email JRC9403@aol.com, and visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/Shabbatinclusion. Walk-ins are also welcome.
*Emma is a composite of several children with special needs.
Cantor Karen Webber is the facilitator of Kol Echad. She is also a teaching/performing artist and a mom of two young adults with special needs.
See Cantor Karen Webber’s guest appearance on Jmore’s Weekend Agenda on Facebook Live:
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