Archives: Staff

Gila Vogel

I have recently retired from my position as a lecturer in the special education department at Beit Berl College in Israel. I’ve always been interested in Jewish education for youngsters with special needs. I am proud of helping to establish the Bar/Bat Mitzvah program for children with special needs of the Masorti (Conservative) Movement in Israel, and continue to serve as an academic advisor to the program. My disssertation topic was the significance of bar/bat mitzvah ceremonies for parents of children with special needs.  I am on the board of Chimes/Israel, an organization that provides services for people with special needs. In 2014, I was appointed to the religious council of Kfar Saba, and hope to make that organization more responsive to all the residents of the city. I am an active member of Hod V’Hadar (Masorti congregation) in Kfar Saba. I keep busy helping to care for my seven grandsons, and developing this website.

Judith Edelman-Green

Rabbi Judith Edelman-Green worked with Susie Dvoskin and Dr. Gila Vogel to set up the following programs: Bar/bat mitzvah for the Special Child, Netaim Summer Camp at Ramah-Noam Israel,National Conferences on Jewish Special Education and Rimon Community for Adults with Special Needs. This website is an expression of the love and friendship between the three of us.  We all believe in promoting education for women, for those with special needs, and for ALL.

Judith is a triathlete, loves cooking, nature, books, writing, guitar playing.

She is a Pastoral Care Giver for the elderly, those at the end of life, or those in crisis.

She is married, has three children .

Susie Dvoskin

Susie passed away peacefully in May, 2017 after a long battle with cancer. She remained active throughout. The autobiography which follows was written in 2015 and the website is a part of her legacy:


I have been a teacher in the field of special and Jewish education for more than 40 years.  I’ve taught young children in day care settings, in the United States and mostly in Israel, typical and atypical teenagers preparing for their bar and bat mitzvah, typical and atypical adults expanding their knowledge and involvement in Judaism. I am an active member of Kehilat Hod ve-Hadar, an egalitarian Masorti (Conservative(congregation in Kfar Sabah, Israel.  I love teaching.  I love reaching out to everyone.  I love adapting material to individuals. I love the communication and learning that flows between us.  I had my Bat Mitzvah when I was 35, so it’s never too late to start. With this website we reach out to all of you, wherever you may be, to help involve you in your Judaism, to be part of your Jewish community.