The OurSpaceLA program
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.
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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 in September!
Enroll in OSLA B'Yachad Alef 2045-2025 in September!
OurSpaceLA needs your help! Make your donation to support our programs, participants and families!
Our Programs
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.
Meet Our Director
Gabriella Meltz
Director of Special Education Programs
Gabriella ( Gabi) is thrilled to join VBS as the director of
special education programs for OurSpaceLA!
Why choose OurSpaceLA?
Unlike traditional programs, OurSpaceLA combines Jewish learning with a tailored social skills
component led by Gabriella Meltz, who serves as both the program director and a Speech-
Language Pathologist alongside an occupational therapist. This unique approach provides
specialized support for developing essential social, communication, and fine motor skills
alongside religious education. By integrating these targeted therapies, OurSpaceLA offers a more
comprehensive and supportive experience, helping children and teens thrive both socially and
spiritually.
Learn More About Gabi!
Gabi grew up in the South African Jewish community in San Diego, attending Hebrew school at Chabad Hebrew Academy and working at the Jewish Community Center of La Jolla and Temple Adat Shalom in Poway. Her Jewish upbringing deeply influenced her passion for helping others, guiding her toward a career in speech-language pathology. She has experience providing speech therapy to individuals across all age groups, from toddlers to teens, and is dedicated to ensuring that all Jewish children with special needs and unique abilities have access to quality Jewish education, a place to socialize, make friends and to have a meaningful place in the Jewish community. Gabi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences from San Diego State University and a Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Chapman University. Gabi holds a Certificate of Clinical Competency from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed as a Speech-Language Pathologist by the State of California.
Programs TBD
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)
More About OurSpaceLA
Click here to read the article featured by the Jewish Federation: "An Interview with Maya Wernick, A Teen Volunteer at OurSpace"
Check out our 2023-2024 Year in Review!
Check out our 2021-2022 Year in Review!
Check out our 2019-2020 Year in Review!
Check out our 2018-2019 Year in Review!
Art Gallery Archive
Moments in Time
15th Annual Art Gallery
If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?
14th Annual Art Gallery
Kol Haolam Kulo Geshar Tzar Meod
The entire world is a narrow bridge... We are all connected whether near or far, same of different.
13th Annual Art Gallery
Shecheyanu Moments
Kavanah • Kehillah • Tikva
This art gallery is dedicated to the loving memory of our dear friend Tiky Paley (z"l), a creative and passionate artist who supported the OurSpaceLA Arts program.
12th Annual Art Gallery
Be the Change You Want to See in the World
Find beauty and hope within the chaos.
Move through each exhibit and meet some of our professional guest artists, teachers, volunteers and participants of OurSpaceLA Artistic Spectrum of Jewish Learning.
In order for OurSpaceLA to survive and to thrive, we need your help.
Every dollar donated here will help to support OurSpaceLA programs, participants and families!
