Since 1993, Partners In Torah has championed a powerful concept: Jewish learning through partnership. Transcending educational backgrounds, levels of observance, and personal histories, the organization connects individuals in mentor-student relationships, fostering enriched Jewish lives and growth in Yiddishkeit. This impactful model has flourished, with tens of thousands of partnerships formed – currently standing at 3,094 study partners. However, a crucial need emerged: making this enriching experience accessible to children and adults facing learning differences, particularly those with significant challenges.
The story of Partners in Torah’s Special Needs division, Lev L’Lev, beautifully illustrates the transformative power of a single act and its ripple effect. This energy has not only enhanced learning experiences but profoundly impacted the daily lives of countless Jewish individuals with special needs.
My personal journey with Partners in Torah and the genesis of Lev L’Lev began with my daughter, Dina Sheva, a vibrant twenty-six-year-old with Down syndrome. After Dina Sheva attended a Yachad Shabbaton in our hometown of Hollywood, Florida, I received a call from Bayla Sheva Brenner, a writer for the Orthodox Union’s Jewish Action. Amidst the lighthearted confusion over our similar names, I happily shared Dina Sheva’s positive experience with Yachad.
Yachad served as Dina Sheva’s primary connection to Jewish peers, as she attended public schools and didn’t quite fit into typical synagogue youth groups. I explained to Bayla Sheva that Dina Sheva previously enjoyed weekly Parsha learning with a high school student. However, since the young woman’s graduation and subsequent move to seminary in Israel, Dina Sheva deeply missed her Torah study sessions. Despite our efforts – posting notices in synagogues and offering payment – we struggled to find a consistent learning partner for her. Young women, understandably, have busy schedules.
Upon hearing this, Bayla Sheva immediately offered, “I’ll do it!” I was taken aback. An award-winning author, a respected writer, volunteering her time to learn with my daughter? And so began weekly Skype sessions between Bayla Sheva, Dina Sheva, and “My First Parsha Reader.”
My own journey as a Partners in Torah participant began in 2011 when I was paired with Miriam as my learning partner. As is common within Partners in Torah, these mentoring relationships often blossom into deep and lasting friendships. To say I was blessed with a wonderful friend is an understatement. In a remarkable “coincidence,” Miriam is not only a Special Education professional, but also has three daughters who are experts in the field. When Miriam’s daughter Zahava heard about Bayla Sheva and Dina Sheva’s learning partnership, she recognized the potential for a broader initiative within Partners in Torah. Zahava acted on this inspiration, reaching out to Rabbi Eli Gewirtz, the Founder and Director of Partners In Torah. An idea, an email, and persistent advocacy later, Lev L’Lev was born. Jewish souls have been nourished, and lives have been transformed. As Rabbi Gewirtz eloquently states, “We need to see those with special needs as integral members of Klal Yisrael. They yearn for friendship and desire to learn just like everyone else. By recognizing their inherent equality, we empower them to fulfill their Jewish purpose and simultaneously achieve our own mission.”
Danielle Litton spearheads Lev L’Lev as its dedicated Coordinator. Danielle previously served as a relationship coordinator for Partners in Torah. With her Master’s Degree in social work and a passion for supporting children with special needs, she enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to match mentors and students for Lev L’Lev when it arose. Currently, Lev L’Lev facilitates learning for approximately 265 students with diverse exceptionalities. These students range in age from teenagers to individuals in their eighties and nineties. Their diagnoses are varied, encompassing anxiety disorder, mental illness, Down syndrome, autism, cognitive disorders, visual and/or hearing impairments, homebound seniors, and those who thrive in a one-on-one learning environment.
One particularly inspiring partnership involves Naama, a student residing in a Montreal residence for adults with special needs, who communicates using assistive technology. Vikka, her devoted and enthusiastic partner who connects weekly via Zoom, shares that their sessions include singing songs and engaging in discussions about the Parsha and upcoming holidays. Naama eagerly anticipates their weekly meetings, and her enthusiasm is contagious, with other residents often joining in to listen.
Remarkably, no prior special needs training is required to become a Lev L’Lev mentor. The mentors come from all walks of life – homemakers, business professionals, students, and educators. Demographically, the majority of both mentors and students reside in the Tri-state area, although participants also hail from states with smaller Jewish populations, such as Indiana and Tennessee, as well as California, Florida, and Ohio. Beyond the US and Canada, students are also participating from Israel and the UK. Modern technology has broken down geographical barriers, making learning accessible to those with limited mobility or those requiring long-distance connections. Whether utilizing Zoom, FaceTime, cell phones, or landlines, no obstacle has proven insurmountable in creating successful learning partnerships.
The success of Lev L’Lev is evident in the enduring nature of its learning relationships and the overwhelmingly positive feedback received. Launched in early 2016, many mentoring relationships have thrived since the program’s inception. Dina Sheva’s first Lev L’Lev mentor was Rina, a new mother and nursing student. They connected weekly via Skype until Rina’s second pregnancy required her to take a break. Dina Sheva’s second and current mentor, Rochel, began their learning partnership in 2017. Rochel even made a special effort to meet Dina Sheva during a cross-country trip. For almost a year and a half, Dina Sheva has also been learning with Jordy. Bayla Sheva remains in touch, so Dina Sheva has been fortunate to have four incredible women enrich her life and satisfy her thirst for Torah learning – truly BFFs x 4! Rivka Kulik, a Care Manager for ACANY affiliated with HASC Center, aptly describes the program: “Lev L’Lev is such a fitting name because these beautiful hearts continue to connect, even when learning partners change or pause.”
When I was invited to become a mentor, I initially hesitated, feeling unprepared to teach a special needs student, my only qualification being a mother. Overcoming my doubts, I was paired with a married woman in her thirties with two children. Despite attending day school, her learning challenges meant her Shabbos observance primarily stemmed from her upbringing. She expressed a desire to learn the specific halachos of Shabbos. After completing our sefer on Shabbos, we both wanted to continue learning and, at her request, we are now studying a sefer on midos (character development). It has been an honor to learn with my student weekly for five years. She brightens my Sundays, sharpens my own knowledge, and I derive immense nachas from helping someone, whose husband wears a streimel, deepen her Torah understanding!
My family’s positive experiences are just a few among many. One mentor proudly shared that their weekly sessions have expanded to twice-weekly. A case manager reported significant progress in their student’s engagement. Danielle Litton notes, “It’s truly amazing to witness how each student can participate according to their unique abilities. Some connect through singing Shabbos songs, while others delve into Gemara and Chumash, with every level of learning in between. We’ve seen partners meet in person to celebrate siyumim (completion of study), a student receive his first pair of Tefillin, and another learning to lein (chant Torah) for his Bar Mitzvah.”
Rivka Kulik from HASC has referred numerous students to Lev L’Lev. Two of Rivka’s students, young women in their mid-twenties residing in HASC residential homes, are benefiting from the program. Rivka emphasizes that while the learning may not be “heavy-duty,” the connection to another member of the Jewish community is invaluable. The feeling of “I have a chevrusa too” is deeply empowering. These women, along with other students Rivka has referred, attend shiurim and classes at their day programs. However, Lev L’Lev offers a personalized opportunity to study a topic of their choosing at their own pace. Other organizations partnering with Partners in Torah to connect students include Yachad, OHEL, Makor, Darkeynu, and numerous others.
Rivka, who enthusiastically admits to watching the Lev L’Lev video (available at https://www.partnersintorah.org/lev-llev/) three times, exclaims, “I love this program. My ladies love this program. The Torah belongs to everyone. Lev L’Lev is for individuals capable of learning at any level, and it is our sacred obligation to ensure we share our Torah with them too.”
And this is precisely where Lev L’Lev excels. Imagine the impact if every child and adult with special needs could have a mentor, a teacher, a partner! For those who yearn for Torah and experience the same void Dina Sheva felt – lacking someone to learn with, someone to connect with, someone to facilitate their Jewish growth at their own level – Lev L’Lev offers renewal in their Jewish journey and the personal fulfillment of knowing someone cares about their Jewish identity. This mitzvah is mutually enriching; mentors often gain as much, if not more, than these special souls.
As Zahava so eloquently wrote in her message to Rabbi Gewirtz, “There is a need, and there is an availability of those who can fulfill that need. Would Partners in Torah be willing to provide these services and offer individuals with special needs the opportunity for Jewish education?” Partners in Torah responded with a resounding “Yes!” through the creation of Lev L’Lev. With 265 success stories and counting, Lev L’Lev is opening doors and changing lives. You can be a part of this beautiful mitzvah, either as a mentor or by recommending students.
Heart to heart – heed the call!
For more information or to sign up: https://www.partnersintorah.org/levllev/ or call 1-800-STUDY-4-2 ext 2.
