Kids
Preschool – Elementary Children
Ages 4-13
The typical age range of Kids Kehillah participants are ages 4-13, however, we will work with you to choose the appropriate classes for your child’s developmental level to ensure a good experience for all participants.
Did you know? Siblings of Special Needs Children and Teens can register for classes for half price, provided spaces are available.
Current Offerings & Schedule
Mondays:
Creative Friends Art Class
January 11 – March 1, 2021
Mondays at 4:00 – 4:45 PM
Zoom Class – ages 8+
$96 JCC members, $120 general public for 8 sessions
We love to express ourselves through art and look forward to seeing what masterpieces our friends will create!
“My son looks forward to the art class every week, thank you for offering such a creative and rewarding class!”
Tuesdays:
Acting with Purpose
Delayed Start date – Feb. 9th, 2021
Tuesdays at 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Zoom Class – ages 10+
$216 JCC members, $240 general public for 8 sessions
A social-emotional program that puts mindfulness, empathy, and social awareness at the forefront. This group will practice social and pragmatic skills social awareness, and self-regulation. Our friends will learn how to act in different situations while playing games, socializing, and having fun!
“I can’t believe how engaged my daughter is during the acting class and how much more she talks afterwards!”
“My son doesn’t usually do well on zoom, but he really enjoys this class and has carried over the social skills that he has learned.”
Move to the Beat with Patty
Delayed Start date – Feb. 9th, 2021
Tuesdays at 5:00 – 5:45 pm
In-Person Class at the J – ages 8+
$75 JCC members, $90 general public for 8 sessions
We get up and move to the beat, accommodating all abilities then cool-down at the end with mindfulness and yoga.
“We have lots of fun, play cool music and get to dance with our friends!”
Wednesdays:
Cooking Class
January 13 – March 10, 2021
Wednesdays at 5:00 pm
Zoom class or Video post – ages 10+
Our cooking class teaches kitchen safety skills and basic recipes. Participants can get ingredients prior to class and create a delicious dish with the instructor.
$60 JCC members, $75 general public for 8 sessions
Wednesdays:
Co-Ed Fun Fit Club
January 13 – March 10, 2021
Wednesdays at 4:00 – 4:45 pm
In-Person Class at the J – ages 10+
$80 JCC members, $100 general public for 8 sessions
J.R. individualizes work out sessions for all abilities in his class, emphasizing safety and proper form, incorporating cardio and strengthening activities. “Thank you for helping me get stronger and learn new exercises!”
Basketball
January 13 – March 10, 2021
Wednesdays, 4:00 – 4:45 pm
In-Person at the J – all ages
$60 JCC members, $75 general public for 8 sessions
Join us to practice, improve and learn new basketball skills!
Thursdays
Music with Rusty
January 14 – March 11, 2021
Thursdays
Ages 8 and up: 3:30 – 4:15 pm
Ages up to 8: 4:15 – 5:00 pm
Zoom Class
$120 JCC members, $150 general public for 8 sessions
“We enjoy seeing our son so excited about music, he participates with his drumsticks and sings along with Rusty and the other members of the group. We’re happy that the class has still been offered on zoom!”
Club Kehillah Social Group
Thursdays 4_30 – 5_15 pm
Zoom Class – ages 15+
“This has been such a difficult and isolating year for my daughter, joining social group has given her something to look forward to and offers her connections to her friends at the JCC.” Our friends like to get together, whether in-person or on-line, to play games and socialize!
$48 JCC members, $60 general public per month
Fridays
Kehillah Facebook Feature
Ongoing – Free
Yoga and mindfulness videos, cooking classes, basketball and other fun classes and activities will be posted weekly!
Sundays
Best Buddies
Ongoing
Twice a month on Zoom – FREE
Class Descriptions & Fees (Not all classes currently available)
SensiPlay
A new sensory motor program in collaboration with Bay Path University. Children will enhance their fine and gross motor skills through Occupational Therapy strategies. Four Master-level OT students and 1 registered Occupational Therapist will lead the instruction.
Fee: $48 Members, $60 General Public
Times: Monday (ages 4-6 years), Tuesday (ages 7-10 years), Wednesday (ages 4-6 years), Thursday (ages 7-10 years), 4:15-5:15pm.
Afternoon Adventures! (Kids Art, Cooking, Movement Group)
This is a split-class; 3 weeks of Fine Motor Movement (art), 3 weeks of Cooking, and 3 weeks of Gross Motor Movement. Art class will include different tactile materials, to allow participants to create art projects that they are proud of! Cooking class will focus on social skills, through working together to make a snack. Friends will help to serve each other the snack, and sit down to share the snack together. Movement will involve kid-friendly yoga, and other movement-based games.
Instructor: Tina, Program Manager
Fee: $102 Members; $129 General Public
Times: Mondays, 4:30-5:15pm
Music with Rusty
This certified music therapist has a unique way of engaging all children through music. He can create a song from whatever your child says, utters or does. Come and experience the way Rusty can find the music within your child.
Instructor: Rusty
Fee: $120 Members, $135 General Public
Times: Thursdays, 4:35-5:20
Adaptive Aquatics
Aquatics students receive 1:1 instruction in acquiring water safety skills, swimming skills and self-confidence. Instruction is customized to fit the individual’s physical and developmental abilities. This is an 8 week class.
Classes available Friday and Saturday afternoons.
Fee: $180 Members, $200 General Public
Drum Lessons
Individual One-on-one thirty minute drum lessons from a world traveled percussionist who is patient and understanding of different learning styles.
Instructor: Dirk Litzner
Fee: $300 Members, $350 General Public (10 lessons )
Guitar Lessons
Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced guitar lessons for the special needs learner.
Instructor: Dirk Litzner
Fee: $300 Members, $350 General Public (10 Lessons )
Teen & Young Adult
The typical age range of Teen and Young Adult Kehillah class participants is ages 14-26.
Always remaining flexible to our community’s needs, we will do our best to work with you to choose the appropriate classes based on developmental level – ensuring a good experience for all participants!
Many of our social and community events appeal to young adult participants of a wider age range.
Schedule of Current Offerings at "Week at a Glance"
Mondays:
Guy’s Fitness: 4:15-5:00pm, $80 Members, $100 General Public
Kehillah Bowling Club at Shaker Bowl: 5:10-6:40pm. $120 Members, $150 General Public
Tuesdays:
Adaptive Basketball: 4:30-5:15pm, Free for Members, $48 General Public
Food for Thought: 5:15-6:30, $120 Members, $150 General Public
Wednesdays:
Move to the Beat: 4-4:45pm. $60 Members, $75 General Public
Teen Social Group: 4:45-6:30pm, $160 Members, $200 General Public
Thursdays:
Music with Rusty: 3:45-4:30pm, $120 Members, $135 General Public
Call the JCC to register, 413-739-4715!
Class Descriptions & Fees
Adaptive Aquatics
You will receive 1:1 instruction in acquiring the next step in your swimming skills. This can range from a beginner swimmer working on water safety skills to an experienced swimmer who wants to get improve their skills. Instruction is customized to fit your physical and developmental abilities. This is an 8 week lesson block offered on Friday, Saturday or Sunday afternoons, additional afternoons might be available.
Fee: $180 Members, $200 General Public
Guy’s Fitness:
This class gives male adults a 45 minute workout of stretching and strength building, utilizing steps, weights and floor exercises to music. A quiet cool down ends the class.
Instructor: JR Golen
Day and Time: Mondays 4:15pm-5:00pm
Fee: Members $80.00 , General Public $100.00
Bowling Club for Teens & Young Adults:
Come and Bowl and have pizza with friends at Shaker Bowl in East Longmeadow.
Instructor: Lindsay
Time and Day: Mondays, 5:10 – 6:40pm
Fee: $120 Members, $150 General Public
Adaptive Basketball:
Acquire the skills needed to participate in community basketball programs. Participants learn dribbling, passing, shooting and the rules of play. Overall sportsmanship and self-confidence is the focus.
Instructors: Tony
Time and Day: Tuesdays 4:30-5:15pm
Fee: Members FREE , general public $48.00
Food for Thought:
This is a social club that combines following directions and working with others to achieve a healthy snack for the entire group. Participants make the snack, help serve each other, and do the clean up together. Each recipe is kosher. Our motto is “recipes sometimes get a ‘thumbs up’ and sometimes they get a ‘thumbs down’, but you never know unless you try”!
Instructor: TBD
Day and Time: Tuesdays 5:15-6:30pm
Fee: Members $120, General Public $150
Teen Social Group:
Social pragmatics and friendship skills while participating in community outings. The ability to follow instructions and to be safe in the community with staff support required. Learn independence and self advocacy while having fun doing teen activities, such as Bowling, Dinner Out, Art and Cooking Community Classes and more!
Instructor: TBD
Day and Time: Wednesdays, 4:45 – 6:30pm
Fee: $160 Members; $200 General Public – price of activities included in fee.
Move to the Beat
Let’s put that energy to good use! Get ready to move, shake and dance during this exciting class all while having a GREAT time.
Instructor: Patty Kelly
Time and Day: Wednesdays, 4:00 – 4:45pm
Fee: $60 Members: $75 General Public
Music with Rusty
This certified music therapist has a unique way of engaging all participants through music. He can create a song from whatever you say, utter or do. Come and experience the way Rusty can find the music within you.
Instructor: Rusty
Time and Day: Thursdays, 3:45 – 4:30pm
Fee: $120 Members, $135 General Public
Guitar Lessons
One to one guitar lessons given by Dirk Litzner. Lessons are weekly for a half hour and start at the individuals level.
Instructor: Dirk Litzner
Fee: $300 Members, $350 General Public (10 lessons )
Best Buddies
We are excited to have our own Best Buddies Chapter at the JCC as part of our Kehillah programs for teens. Best Buddies is a non-profit global organization that creates opportunities for one to one friendships for people with social, intellectual or developmental disabilities. By joining with Best Buddies to expand our program we are able to accept teens from all Western MA school districts. This program helps break the invisible line that too often separates those with disabilities from those without.
We still have openings for high school age participants. If you have a family member or friend who would benefit from making friendships, attending fun monthly events and more, please fill out an intake form (see below) and send it back by email, or fax to 739-4747, or drop it off at the JCC at 1160 Dickinson Street, Springfield for Bethany Young.
Upcoming Events
Stay tuned for 2020 events!
Important Forms
Fitness Buddies
Fitness Buddies: About the Program
Fitness Buddies matches teens and young adults that have social challenges with teens and adults in the community to workout together at the Springfield JCC.
What does this include?
This program includes a training period that works with the fitness buddies on what they need to bring to the gym, making plans with your fitness buddy, arranging transportation, how you sign in, appropriate locker room use and behavior, equipment use and safety, social pragmatics of a fitness center and more.
Where do we work out?
Teams can work out in several areas of the JCC including the pool, aerobic classes, ropes course, cycling as well as the fitness center – our goal is for them to have fun getting healthy and to try many things to keep them interested.
What is our goal?
Our goal for this program is simple; that not only does it bring both health and friendship to the fitness buddy and their community workout buddy, but it provides skills that can be used at any fitness center they might want to be a part of.
Interested in becoming a Fitness Buddy?
Just fill out the forms below, and return them to the Kehillah office at the JCC, or fax them to (413)739-4747.
Thank you to Doug Flutie Foundation for their initial donation to support this wonderful and necessary offering. Their generosity allowed us the tools to start the program.
Thank you to the Ronald McDonald House Charities for their generous donation which allowed us to purchase two youth expresso bikes. These bikes make the workout more fun, and more competitive!
Thank you to Autism Speaks for their supportive neighborhood grant which enables more health and wellness, and friendship opportunities to our participants!