The OurSpaceLA program offers diverse Jewish experiences to children, teens, and adults with unique abilities. It aims to help participants actively embrace Judaism as a meaningful way of life, foster life-long friendships, and build a strong community for participants and their families.

OurSpaceLA is a Valley Beth Shalom program, and synagogue membership is not required for
participation.

To enroll, please fill out the forms below or contact Gabriella Meltz, Director of OurSpaceLA Programs, at 818.530.4069.

Enroll in OSLA Shaare Tikva 2045-2025 

Enroll in OSLA B'Yachad Alef 2045-2025 

Shaare Tikva

Shaare Tikva (Gates of Hope), is a weekly Hebrew School program for neurodivergent students with unique abilities. The program fosters lifelong friendships and a strong sense of community while students learn and engage in Jewish rituals, customs, and traditions. It incorporates multimodal and multisensory learning experiences through music and art. Students actively
participate in prayer services, Shabbat, holiday celebrations, Tikkun Olam, and mitzvot. Our dedicated team includes special education teachers. The program also includes Bar and Bat Mitzvah preparation with a team of specialists and clergy.

Time: Weekly on Sundays 9:15 am- 11:30 am
Price: $995.00

B’Yachad Alef

B’Yachad Alef (Together), is a monthly social language therapy program for children aged 4 to
14, designed to enhance social communication skills in a warm, supportive environment.
Rooted in Jewish values, the program incorporates Judaica to create a rich, culturally immersive
experience. Our dedicated team, including a speech-language pathologist and an occupational
therapist, offers personalized attention, tailoring activities to each child's unique needs and
interests. Through our small group setting, we aim to foster meaningful friendships and social
connections among the children.

Time: Monthly on Sundays 11:30 am -1:00 pm
Price: $360

Bagel ‘N’ Chat

The programs create opportunities for parents, grandparents, and guardians to connect and build
a support network. The program aims to foster a supportive environment through monthly
support group meetings where participants can form friendships, share experiences, and establish
a safe and welcoming space for mutual support.

The Artistic Spectrum of Jewish Learning for Adults

The Artistic Spectrum of Jewish Learning for Adults encourages adults (over the age of 18) with special needs and special abilities, to participate in life-long Jewish learning through the arts, while socializing with friends and community. Throughout the years as professional artists come to work with us they have helped to discover many of our participants’ hidden talents. There is a growing body of research that points to the effectiveness of arts education to enrich our lives and it allows people with special needs an opportunity to develop along their unique paths.  In addition to this research, there is a long tradition with Judaism embracing the arts as religious expression. Meets Sundays 9:15 A.M.-11:30 A.M.  (VBS)

Kolot Tikva (Voices of Hope) Choir

Invites children, teens and adults with special needs and special talents to raise their voices in song. This program is geared to participants who love to sing and are interested in learning to sing Hebrew and English. The OurSpace Kolot Tikva choir is geared to participants who love to sing, are interested in learning to sing in Hebrew and English, the words of our liturgy, Torah, Jewish values, along with Shabbat and Holiday songs. In addition to the wonderful song sessions, the OS Kolot Tikva choir performs at various community events and synagogue services throughout the year. Meets two Sundays per month, plus some performance dates. (VBS)

B’Yachad (Together) Bet

A monthly social group for Jewish teens and young adults ages 14-18 year olds and 19 year old adults with special needs. Participants go on field trips throughout Los Angeles and enjoy visiting the Science Museum, LACMA, participating in community service, yoga sessions, sports, drum circles, Shabbat dinner, and going to Sky High. (VBS)