T'mimei Lev, now in its 12th year, was established to provide for children who, because of their special educational needs, are unable to attend a mainstream Jewish school. We aim to provide them with the facilities not available to them in mainstream schooling, by working together with local health and education authorities. What makes our school unique is the children's curriculum, which caters to their religious and cultural needs by combining the highest levels of academic excellence in the National Curriculum with Jewish Studies, in a warm Jewish atmosphere.
We aim to develop a center of excellence in the provision of special education. We plan to extend the scope of our activities to reach a larger number of children, which will of course require more facilities, staffing, and resources. Indeed, we are being pressed to provide creche facilities for even younger children of mothers who need a break or who are returning to work.
Our activities are funded almost exclusively by private donations, which severely limits our ability to move forward. As with all projects of this sort we are constantly looking for sources of funding and assistance to enable us to continue our vital work.
Jewish parents in Manchester now have plenty of options regarding the education of their children that is provided their child does not have special educational needs. Local special needs schools provide a valuable service but make no provision for the religious and cultural needs of the Jewish special child. The local Jewish mainstream schools, and indeed the community at large, do not have the resources or expertise to care for these children. T'mimei Lev was formed in March '97 to provide support for parents in coping with all aspects of raising their special child.
Our aims are threefold:
- To provide support for parents in educating their child with special needs.
- To maintain an educational facility with the expertise and resources to provide a first-class education incorporating the National Curriculum, as well as opportunities for integration with mainstream schools.
- To provide general support and counseling for parents in coping with all aspects of raising their special child.
Our activities are open to all Jewish children with special needs, regardless of background or level of religious observance. Although of necessity the school is independent and fee-paying, no child in need will be refused admission on financial grounds. We work closely with and have the support of the leading community Rabbonim.
Jewish parents in Manchester now have plenty of options regarding the education of their children that is provided their child does not have special educational needs. Local special needs schools provide a valuable service but make no provision for the religious and cultural needs of the Jewish special child. The local Jewish mainstream schools, and indeed the community at large, do not have the resources or expertise to care for these children.
Parents have the option of sending their special child to a local authority to run the school. There are some of quality in the area, but they cannot adequately provide for the Jewish child. Imagine the problems caused at home when the child comes out with carols instead of zemiros at the shabbos table, or the inappropriate and sometimes explicit language they pick up in what for them is an alien environment. Not only do they suffer these very real problems but miss out on learning the language and customs of our rich heritage.
Some parents try to keep their children in mainstream schools, often with extra support. However this only stores up problems for later on in life. While the child is young he or she may be able to cope, but as they get older, the academic and social gap widens, putting pressures on the child which can cause problems that only compound the difficulties the child (and family) faces.
Providing for a community as diverse as ours means that to set up a unit as part of one of our mainstream schools would only alienate and exclude some sections of the community. Setting up several units at several schools would lose all the advantages of being able to pool resources and expertise, and is unlikely to be viable considering the relatively small number of children involved.
Time Lev provides a day school, an after school club, and our integrated nursery 'Torah Tots', providing care for those special children of preschool age, in an integrated, stimulating, and caring environment, as well as Sunday morning cheder when we are joined by children who are not able to be with us during the week. We are housed in the Jewish Cultural Centre, but have outgrown the space available and are looking for our premises.
